Weather is a complex science, one that combines meteorology with geology and numerous other disciplines to provide a better understanding of how our world works. The next generation of young meteorologists may be in your classroom today, and there’s no better way to nurture their talents and interest than weather-based lesson planning. Weather-based lesson planning lets students immerse themselves in the elements to gain a first-hand understanding of key earth sciences.
The Benefits of Teaching Weather in Schools
One of the greatest skills students can learn from weather-based lesson planning is critical thinking. Much of meteorology is about pattern recognition and deduction using data analytics. Students studying meteorology can learn to use statistics and data to make educated, accurate predictions that hone their critical thinking skills. Students can learn:
• The impact of global climate shifts and the effect on short-term and long-term weather
• How human influence impacts climate and weather patterns
• How to apply complex principles to real-time data
• Decision-making skills
• Important STEM foundations supporting educational growth in the sciences
• Weather-based risk planning and safety management
• Key life skills supporting success in higher education
How You Can Integrate Meteorology into Your Lesson Plans
Technology provides ever-more-sophisticated tools for weather tracking and forecasting, and with those tools you can create dynamic weather-based STEM activities for middle school students. Whether observing data with a real time lightning tracker or analyzing patterns in weather station logs, you can access technology tools to shape engaging lessons that nurture students’ passion for meteorology through active involvement.
Get Real-Time Solutions
Earth Networks offers over 12,000 climate stations and more than 1,200 lightning sensors nationwide, providing interconnected, real-time data capture and transmission for information-rich classroom instruction. Learn how you can use Earth Networks’ highly advanced technologies and as-it-happens weather data to introduce students to the world of STEM, and provide an unparalleled hands-on education experience in weather forecasting, analytics, and risk planning.