What's the Weather?

Introduction

This WebQuest will help you to learn more about the different types of weather found throughout the United States and how it impacts human life.

Weather can be pretty crazy, right? Here in Oregon, what kinds of weather do we usually see? 

Rain?

Sunshine?

Snow?

Wind?

Hurricanes?

Tornadoes?

Dust storms?

Hail?

Think about the types of weather you have observed. What is most common in western Oregon, where we live? 

That's right, RAIN! That's because we live in a marine west coast climate. You can see the different types of climate in the map below:

During this assignment, you will work with a group of your friends (3-4 students) to make a wacky weather broadcast from several different places throughout the United States, each of you dealing with a different kind of weather event! 

Task

Your task is simple: in a group of 4 students, each of you should become a meteorologist in 4 different areas of the country and report on an extreme weather event that you see there! 

You will have 3 days to complete this WebQuest. You must answer all the questions that are asked of you along with research additional information on your topic. 

Next, you will create a weather report based on the information you have collected-- don't be afraid to get into character!

Finally, you and your group will film each other doing a weather broadcast. Your teacher will help you to use a camera to film yourselves. This will then be shown to the class.

You will learn a lot about climate, weather patterns, and how weather affects people's day-to-day lives!

Process

Please read below to learn about your characters! Each of you will take on one of these meteorologists and form your own individual broadcasts. Feel free to help one another get all the questions answered!

First, and most importantly for this project... WHAT IS A METEOROLOGIST?

Check out this link:

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/careers/meteorologist.html

Meteorologist 1:  

City: Portland, Oregon

Weather Event: Heavy rainfall leading to flooding in the streets

Setting: You are in the downtown part of the city, and the street is beginning to flood. There is a serious problem with flooding in a city like this...

Questions for you to answer: 

  • What causes this type of rainfall? 
  • What might be happening when a city like Portland, which is unprepared for this type of rainfall, begins to flood?
  • How can it be fixed?
  • What can people do during heavy rainfall and flooding?
  • What would a meteorologist say to warn people without alarming them? 
  • Find a video of the most recent heavy rainfall in Portland to share with the class. 

Websites to Use to Find Your Answers:

Meteorologist 2:  

City: New Orleans, Louisiana

Weather Event: Approaching hurricane-- very high wind speeds and the hurricane is due to hit within the next few hours.

Setting: You are in downtown New Orleans. Trees are being blown over and there is extremely heavy rain. There is a danger to people's lives with very high wind speeds. 

Questions for you to answer: 

  • How often do hurricanes occur in the New Orleans climate?
  • What are typical wind speeds during hurricanes?
  • How long does a hurricane usually last?
  • What causes hurricanes?
  • What would a meteorologist say to warn people without alarming them? 
  • Find a video of the most recent hurricane in New Orleans to share with the class. 

Websites to Use to Find Your Answers:

Meteorologist 3:

 

City: Boston, Massachussetts

Weather Event: Unexpected heavy snowstorm

Setting: You are in Boston, Massachussetts. There is already over a foot of snow, and it shows no signs of stopping! Planes are no longer taking off, and the airport has closed itself off to incoming flights. 

Questions for you to answer: 

  • Is this typical weather for Boston's climate?
  • How long does a snowstorm last?
  • What causes snowstorms?
  • What would a meteorologist say to warn people without alarming them? 
  • Find a video of the most recent heavy snowstorm in Boston to share with the class. 

Websites to Use to Find Your Answers:

Meteorologist 4:  

City: Topeka, Kansas

Weather Event: Incoming tornado

Setting: You are in Topeka, Kansas, standing in the middle of a downtown street. A tornado warning has just been issued to the city.

Questions for you to answer: 

  • Is this typical weather for Topeka's climate?
  • How long does a tornado last?
  • What causes tornadoes?
  • What would a meteorologist say to warn people without alarming them? 
  • Find a video of the most recent tornado in the Topeka area to share with the class. 

Websites to Use to Find Your Answers:

Remember: you are each responsible for your own broadcast, but you can ask your friends for help if you need it! When you're ready to record, tell the teacher and we will get it set up for you. You have 3 days! We will present on Friday. 

Evaluation

Conclusion

It is so important to know about the weather-- it affects our day-to-day lives and it makes a huge impact on a global scale. People across the world are experiencing life-changing events because of weather. 

Because of this lesson, you should have a better idea of the different types of significant weather events and how they impact the day-to-day lives of people just like us! While there are things that can be done to help people who are dealing with extreme weather, natural disasters are just that... natural. Nature can't be stopped, but thanks to meteorologists, it can be (somewhat) predicted so people can be warned and be safe!

Credits

CBS. (2016). Heavy snow pulls down trees, power lines in several Mass. towns. Retrieved from: 

City of Portland. (n.d.). Heavy rain. Retrieved from: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/47305

Earth Science for Kids. (n.d.). Weather- Tornadoes. Retrieved from: http://www.ducksters.com/science/earth_science/tornadoes.php

History Channel. (n.d.). Hurricane Katrina. Retrieved from: http://www.history.com/topics/hurricane-katrina

Science Kids (n.d.). Science careers: Meteorologist. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/careers/meteorologist.html

Science Kids. (n.d.). Weather facts: Snow facts for kids. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/weather/snow.html

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2016/02/05/massachusetts-snow-trees-down-wint...

The Oregonian/Oregon Live. (2015). Portland area weather: Heavy rains cause MAX delays, landslides. Retrieved from: http://www.oregonlive.com/weather/index.ssf/2015/12/portland_area_weathe...

The Wichita Eagle. (2015). More than 20 tornadoes reported across western Kansas Monday night. Retrieved from: http://www.kansas.com/news/weather/article45167823.html

Weather Wiz Kids. (n.d.). Hurricanes. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm

Weather Wiz Kids (n.d.). Hurricane Safety. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-hurricane.htm

Weather Wiz Kids. (n.d.). Rain and floods. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-rain.htm

Weather Wiz Kids. (n.d.). Tornadoes. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-tornado.htm

Weather Wiz Kids (n.d.). Tornado safety. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-safety-tornado.htm

Weather Wiz Kids (n.d). Winter Storms. Retrieved from: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm

U.S. Climate Data. (n.d.). Climate: Boston, Massachussetts. Retrieved from: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/boston/massachusetts/united-states/...

U.S. Climate Data. Climate: New Orleans, Louisiana. Retrieved from: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/new-orleans/louisiana/united-states...

U.S. Climate Data. (n.d.). Climate: Portland, Oregon. Retrieved from: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/portland/oregon/united-states/usor0275

U.S. Climate Data. (n.d.). Climate: Topeka, Kansas. Retrieved from: http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/topeka/kansas/united-states/usks0571

Photos can be found at the following websites:

Rain: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/What_a_little_Rain-X_can_do_for_you_(3908431451).jpg

Sunshine: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GK8Vefci3ok/TscS7-kKKaI/AAAAAAAAAcc/AGaRFRLquFs/s1600/sunshine-hd-15-759500.jpg

Snow: http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com/files/2015/12/20/635861833670816810507191518_6670-perfect-snow-1920x1080-nature-wallpaper.jpg

Wind: https://wallpaperscraft.com/image/ears_chamomile_field_wind_blow_9611_2560x1600.jpg

Hurricane: http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/002/cache/hurricane-ivan_200_600x450.jpg

Tornado: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/kids/photos/articles/Science/Q-Z/tornado.jpg

Dust storm: http://media2.abc15.com//photo/2013/07/12/KNXV_Dust_storm_20130712171225_640_480.JPG

Portland, Oregon https://www.americanforests.org/wp-content/uploads/EasyRotatorStorage/user-content/erf_21_1359748082/erc_16_1359990671/content/assets/Portland,%20Oregon,%20with%20Mt.%20Hood%20in%20the%20distance.%20ThinHouse-0.jpg

New Orleans, Louisiana https://s3.amazonaws.com/citybuzz/2015/11/new-orleans-real-estate-market-trends/new-orleans-real-estate-2.jpg

Boston, Massachussetts http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/images/ports/hero/BOS_01.jpg 

Topeka, Kansas http://siteselection.com/issues/2010/jul/images/DowntownTopeka_17402_2.jpg

 

Teacher Page

This WebQuest was designed to address the following NGSS:

ESS3.B: Natural Hazards

A variety of natural hazards result from natural processes. Humans cannot eliminate natural hazards but can take steps to reduce their impacts. (3-ESS3-1) (Note: This Disciplinary Core Idea is also addressed by 4-ESS3-2.)

ESS2.D: Weather and Climate

Scientists record patterns of the weather across different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of weather might happen next.