Introduction
Throughout this WebQuest, students will explore the concepts of weather, climate and Climate Change.They will differentiate between short-term weather patterns and long-term climate trends, investigate local climate characteristics and reflect on how these connect to the broader challenges of global Climate Change.
Task
In this WebQuest students will:
1. Define weather and climate, identifying their key characteristics and differences in time scale.
2. Collect and document real-time weather data to understand current atmospheric conditions in a region.
3. Reflect on how local climate patterns may relate to global Climate Change trends.
Process
Step 1: Compare Weather and Climate
The difference between weather and climate is a matter of time. Weather refers to short-term conditions of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. Climate is the average weather conditions over a prolonged period (usually 30 years or more) in a specific area. It provides insight into the typical weather patterns one can anticipate in a particular location across different seasons.
Useful links:
https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/04/Weather_versus_climate_at_a_glance
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/weather_climate.html
Video summary here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/140pF9VGYfqAKOLrbfsLiRwJtRn9Tp4OMVZSlpPEu10c/edit?usp=sharing
Step 2: Explore Current Weather Conditions
Students will use the website https://zoom.earth/maps/ to check the local weather for a specific date and time.
They will record the following data:
-
Temperature
-
Wind speed
-
Precipitation
-
Humidity
-
Pressure
All data should then be entered into the shared Google Doc where you will also find instructions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gej2NRWaHWvl7K0v520VmGBZY31DCASizvbV705zkaw/edit?usp=sharing
Step 3: Local Climate Analysis
Students interview an older family member about how they remember the climate in the same location when they were young and discuss any observed changes over time for temperature, precipitation, seasonal patterns or extreme weather events. Then make a post in the following lino.it:
http://linoit.com/users/meddiet4health/canvases/Local%20Climate%20Analysis
Step 4: Introducing the concept of Climate Change
Earth’s climate has always undergone natural changes, but scientists have noted recent unusual trends. For instance, the average global temperature has risen rapidly in the last 150 years. Global climate change encompasses long-term shifts across Earth, including warming temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and associated impacts such as:
- Rising sea levels
- Retreating mountain glaciers
- Accelerated ice melting in Greenland, Antarctica, and the Arctic
- Changes in flowering and plant growth cycles
1. According to NASA there is long term warming trend in the Earth’s surface. Watch the following video:
2. Use the website https://fitzlab.shinyapps.io/cityapp/ to discover what type of climate is projected for your city in 2080.
Reflect on the question ‘Do the long-term trends in climate change align or contrast with what you have observed about the climate in your local area?’ in the following Tricider discussion:
https://www.tricider.com/brainstorming/2d6wvophYZJ
Evaluation
- Webquest evaluation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_A13CRbWC_2ACK1sfE_tgih0fvpYTrabeyTR6WU_bRSLokA/viewform?usp=sf_link
- Students evaluation: data gathered by their answers in lino.it and tricider and also the following rubric:
|
Criteria |
Exceeds Expectations |
Meets Expectations |
Approaching Expectations |
Partially Meets Expectations |
Does Not Meet Expectations |
|
Defining Weather and Climate |
Provides a clear and comprehensive definition of weather and climate, including a detailed explanation of their respective characteristics and time scales. |
Defines weather and climate accurately, with a good understanding of their characteristics and time scales. |
Defines weather and climate with some minor inaccuracies or lacks a complete understanding of their characteristics and time scales. |
Demonstrates a limited understanding of the differences between weather and climate. |
Fails to distinguish between weather and climate or provide accurate definitions. |
|
Collecting Weather Data |
Collects and documents all 5 required real-time weather data points (temperature, wind speed, precipitation, humidity, and pressure) for the specified location and date/time. Data is presented in a clear and organized manner. |
Collects and documents 4 out of the 5 required real-time weather data points for the specified location and date/time. Data is presented in a mostly organized manner. |
Collects and documents 3 out of the 5 required real-time weather data points for the specified location and date/time. Data is presented in a somewhat disorganized manner. |
Collects and documents 1-2 out of the 5 required real-time weather data points for the specified location and date/time. Data is presented in a disorganized manner. |
Fails to collect and document any of the required real-time weather data points. |
|
Analyzing Local Climate Trends |
Provides a detailed and insightful analysis of how the observed local climate trends align or contrast with broader global climate change patterns. Includes specific examples and evidence to support the analysis. |
Provides a good analysis of how the observed local climate trends align or contrast with broader global climate change patterns. Includes some relevant examples and evidence. |
Provides a basic analysis of how the observed local climate trends align or contrast with broader global climate change patterns, but with limited examples or evidence. |
Attempts to analyze local climate trends, but the analysis is superficial and lacks a clear connection to broader global climate change patterns. |
Fails to analyze the relationship between observed local climate trends and broader global climate change patterns. |
|
Webquest Completion |
Completes all 4 steps of the webquest thoroughly and on time, demonstrating a deep understanding of the content and process. |
Completes all 4 steps of the webquest, demonstrating a good understanding of the content and process. |
Completes 3 out of the 4 steps of the webquest, demonstrating a basic understanding of the content and process. |
Completes 1-2 out of the 4 steps of the webquest, demonstrating a limited understanding of the content and process. |
Fails to complete any of the 4 steps of the webquest. |
|
Communication and Presentation |
Presents the webquest findings in a clear, well-organized, and engaging manner, using appropriate language, formatting, and multimedia elements to enhance the overall presentation. |
Presents the webquest findings in a clear and organized manner, using appropriate language and formatting. |
Presents the webquest findings in a somewhat disorganized or unclear manner, with some issues in language or formatting. |
Presents the webquest findings in a disorganized or unclear manner, with significant issues in language or formatting. |
Fails to present the webquest findings in a coherent or organized manner. |
Conclusion
Through this WebQuest, students have explored weather, climate, and Climate Change. They distinguished short-term weather events from long-term climate patterns, gathered and interpreted real-time data and examined how environmental changes affect their communities. By evaluating global Climate Change trends, they connected local experiences with wider environmental challenges.
Credits
Teacher Page
This WebQuest was edited by a teacher of 2o Esperino EPAL Acharnon (Greece) as part of the activities of the "Mediterranean Diet for Overall Health" (MedDiet4Health) Erasmus+ project (Project number: 2023-2-EL01-KA210-VET-000183592)
By engaging in these activities, students develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills for future careers in the food systems. They learn to distinguish weather from climate, collect and analyze real-time data, investigate historical climate changes through family interviews, and explore the impacts of global climate change. At the same time, they strengthen their ability to reflect critically on how global trends connect with local experiences, while enhancing communication and collaboration through digital platforms.
This WebQuest reflects only the author’s views. The European Commission’s support for the production of this WebQuest does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.