Science+Projects

1) Weather Stations

In groups of three, research and build:

- barometer - thermometer - hygrometer - wind gauge - wind vane - rain gauge

2) Extreme Weather Project

So far, our weather unit has focused on the properties and forces that drive and create weather. We are going to conclude our unit on weather with a project that will require you to demonstrate what you have already learned but also what new ideas you have learned through independent research. Essentially you will be asked to use and apply your knowledge of how weather is created to explain some of nature’s most dangerous and most exciting weather!

Your task will be to become an expert in the field of a specific severe weather topic (thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc.). As an informed expert, you will then teach this specific weather concept to the class in a creative way. You will be working in pairs (perhaps groups of three) to research, prepare, and perform a creative presentation.

Creativity will also be an essential component of your presentation. For example, instead of just standing and delivering a PowerPoint presentation, I would like you to choose a stylistic theme and to use this theme to structure your presentation. Maybe you and your partner will become Bill Nye and your presentation will look and sound like a Science Guy show. Perhaps you and your partner would like to be Weather Channel meteorologists that go back and forth between the newsroom and the field. This is your opportunity to have fun and to act and dress the part!

You will be responsible for:

1) Researching your severe weather topic 2) Preparing a bibliography page and a report with pictures and diagrams 3) Presenting your topic to the class

Although you will be working in pairs (or threes) you will be graded //individually// on the following:

1) Preparation

2) Presentation Requirements

a. Content Knowledge b. Visuals c. Bibliography

3) Creativity

4) Presentation Skills


 * What information will your report contain? **

We will be doing each of these things in class over the coming two months, so there is no need to panic if you don’t yet know how to find or show this information!

- You will have a map or maps on which you will clearly show:


 * Where in the world this type of weather happens and how often
 * Some of the most recent cases of your type of extreme weather
 * Some of the most extreme cases ever recorded

- A description of what your phenomena is and characteristics that make it what it is. - A description of conditions necessary for it to happen. - A description of the damage it causes with real-life examples to back it up. - Safety: What do you do to prepare for this type of weather? - How do countries prepare for this type of weather? (Think of how the Netherlands has prepared itself against flooding) - How are people warned? - You will research and perform an experiment related to your topic. You will include an explanation of how the experiment was done, what your hypothesis was, what the results were and what your conclusions are (Scientific Method!). Include pictures and diagrams of what you did.


 * Timeline Due Date **

Assign topics/groups January 16

Research topics (Notes!) February 23

Bibliography February 28

Report Draft March 1

Report March 8

Presentation March 16


 * Severe Weather Topics **

1) Tornadoes 2) Thunderstorms (Lightning and Thunder) 3) Hurricanes 4) Blizzards

Clara, Cosima, Hannah: Tornadoes Daniel, Kaveesh, Alec: Thunderstorms Dongyoon, Frederick: Hurricanes Gemma, Chloe: Blizzards Isis, Nathalie: Thunderstorms Max, Julianus: Tornadoes Raj, Campbell: Hurricanes Sarah, Moa: Blizzards