Earthworks
Earth System Science for Secondary Teachers

Jennifer Taylor (Earthworks 2003)
jennifer326@yahoo.com

Eyes to the Skies

Grade level: 8

Content Area: Earth Science

Time: Integrated within 12 week trimester of Earth Science (Mar-May)

Standards: SVVSD Earth Science - A Std.

Background knowledge/skills: Previous knowledge includes the water cycle, energy conversion, heat transfer, states of matter, and phase change. Skills include ability to observe and record data, use of scientific equipment

Objectives: Students will describe how the atmosphere, oceans, and physical location on the Earth's surface interact to affect climate and weather.

Materials: meteorological instruments; thermometers, anemometer, rain gauge, wind sock, sling psychrometer, binoculars, field journal, pencils, digital camera, ibook and projector, barometer

Procedures:

1. Intro and training on using meteorological instruments.
2. Formulate a scientific inquiry question based on "why do you think clouds form?"
3. Locate and set-up observation and recording sites @ schools and Calwood.
4. Take recordings and make observations 3x/week in class and home work days.
5. After 8 weeks of data collection, start analysis and demo presentation.
6. Prepare group presentation using computer technology and present findings.
7. Students visit elem.classes to give demos on collecting weather data and assessing cloud cover making connections.

Assessment: My students will submit individual cloud journals/group presentations of their data and analysis using Powerpoint and computer technology describing cloud patterns in relation to meteorological parameters. They will present a hands on demo using the equipment and assessing cloud cover to elementary students.

Enrichment/Reflection: Students will reflect on their findings to explain how the water cycle and heat transfer factor in and play a part in the causes/effects of weather. Enrichment question: How does topography affect weather?

Resources: Access to tech equipment (computer, digital camera/videa), probeware, supportive principal, colleagues, dist. Science coordinator

Barriers: Our school/district does not provide an annual budget for MS Science to purchase equipment/consumables

Responses: I will be linking with my resources to overcome the shortfalls of equipment. i.e, grant application, lab fee, donations