Relevant National Teaching Standards
Grade 5-8:
Earth and space science (Atmospheric science),
Science in personal and social perspectives
(Natural hazards)
Grade 9-12:
Earth and space science (Energy in the earth system),
Natural and human-induced hazards
(Natural)
Synopsis: Despite gobs of data, it is still difficult to accurately predict the path and intensity of a hurricane. How are these predictions made? Are they getting more reliable? Will hurricanes be affected by global warming? And, while we're at it, what gets a hurricane turning in the first place?
Find
the article: Horrific Hurricanes
Discussion
Questions
1. Why do hurricane forecasts only extend five days into the future? Why is the predicted storm path shaped like a cone? Does modeling accuracy increase linearly as data increases? How are scientists coping with mega-increases in data from new weather satellite instruments?
2. What is a storm surge? What laws of physics cause it? What type of damage could a storm surge cause to waterfront property?
Lesson
Plans/Activities
1. Be a hurricane hunter! Follow along on an exciting mission into the eye of Hurricane Opal to gather weather data. This "Cyberflight into the Eye" includes short video clips, photos and text. This tour is recommended for grades 7-12.
2. Hurricane at Sim City! Students navigate through a cyberworld about to be hit by a hurricane. While directing the virtual protagonist, students learn hurricane facts and preparedness. This activity is recommended for grades 7-12.
3. Crunch some data! With seven different research questions to choose from, this site directs students through the scientific process of answering hypotheses about weather. These activities are recommended for grades 9-12.
4. Storm surge, emerge! This short animation nicely illustrates how a storm surge is created and how it causes flooding. Just link to the graphic. This brief demonstration is recommended for grades 7-12.
Take the: Quiz
