Predicting Weather

Students will make a wind vane, anemometer, barometer, and thermometer to measure wind direction, wind strength, air pressure, and temperature. They will collect data from these instruments and use this information to make predictions about the weather that will help inform decisions they make for their garden.

Concepts: N/A

Essential Questions

  • How can we create tools to measure air pressure, wind direction and strength?
  • How can we collect data on temperature and precipitation?
  • How can we predict weather trends to help us make decisions in our garden?

Standards Addressed

  • S4E4. Students will analyze weather charts/maps and collect weather data to predict weather events and infer patterns and seasonal changes.
    • a. Identify weather instruments and explain how each is used in gathering weather data and making forecasts (thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind vane, anemometer).
    • b. Using a weather map, identify the fronts, temperature, and precipitation and use the information to interpret the weather conditions.
    • c. Use observations and records of weather conditions to predict weather patterns throughout the year.
    • d. Differentiate between weather and climate.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.C.5 Recognize angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and understand concepts of angle measurement:
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.C.6 Measure angles in whole-number degrees using a protractor. Sketch angles of specified measure.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.G.A.1 Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.G.A.3 Recognize a line of symmetry for a two-dimensional figure as a line across the figure such that the figure can be folded along the line into matching parts. Identify line-symmetric figures and draw lines of symmetry.