Wondering whether the weather will be wild or mild? Questioning cloud cover? Feeling the pressure? Or perhaps you are interested in a fabulous career in meteorology…if so, this course is for you! We will learn how people predict the weather with simple tools and advanced equipment. Join us for a whirlwind of atmospheric adventure!
Total classes: 12
Duration per class: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade (older students welcomed to join us)
Suggested credit: 1 full semester General Science or Astronomy
Instructor: MacBeth Derham
Instructor email: macbethderham@gmail.com
Course description: Students will study all aspects of weather prediction, including basic weather maps, temperature, pressure, humidity, visibility, wind speed, and more. Students should have access to weather forecasts on radio or TV, online, or in a newspaper. Some simple weather contraptions may be built for demonstration labs.
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction to meteorology
Week 2: The anatomy of air
Week 3: Air has weight/isobars
Week 4: Weather patterns
Week 5: Fronts and masses
Week 6: Warm fronts/Cold fronts
Week 7: Line Squalls and weather maps
Week 8: Wind
Week 9: Clouds
Week 10: Stormy weather
Week 11: Other atmospheric changes
Week 12: Climate
Course materials: Eric Sloane’s Weather Book ISBN: 9781684115785
Homework: Each week after class, students will take notes on a local weather forecast, and compare the actual weather later in the week, and be prepared to discuss in class (on mic or in chat). Light weekly reading in the text. Weekly quiz graded automatically for immediate feedback. Expect to spend between 1 and 1 ½ hours on homework per week.
- Teacher: MacBeth Derham