Weather ForeQuest Page

compliments of roker.com

Weather ForeQuest

Best viewed in 800 X 600 monitor resolution

With the amount of technology available, meterologists should be able to make forecasting an exact science, right? Have you ever wondered how the weather predictions can be so wrong? As we have witnessed, predicting the weather is a very difficult task. Weather consists of many variables. Scientists rely on a variety of instruments including satellites, ocean buoys, local weather stations, computer models, and people.These experts make their predictions by building models using historical and current data.

In this investigation, you will be learning more about the variables impacting weather and have the opportunity to apply your knowledge using real weather maps and current data. Weather forecasting is an exciting field. The weather is always changing and the variables are so unpredictable! Enjoy the journey ahead and use those brain cells!

THE TASK:

You will be a meteorologist! You will be responsible for designing an e-report based on your observations and reactions to the lessons and activities provided for you. The e-report is your end product! An e-report is an electronic report made by using HTML codes through Simple Text, TextEdit, Tex-Edit Plus or through the use of Netscape Composer. If using a PC, try WordPad. You have learned how to use one of these programs through science class.

Your job is to :

learn the background information
perform the activities
record your activity results
add your .jpeg (.jpg) or .gif images to your report
explain what the results mean
analyze the data you collected
formulate conclusions on how air temperature, pressure & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.

There are many people whose work and lives depend on accurate weather predictions. Time management and efficiency are crucial in this project. You will need to organize yourself well, decide your plan of action, save your results in a designated folder for later access, and decide how to write your e-report. Have fun, be creative, and most importantly - LEARN!!!

THE PROCESS:

1. Use the resources, activities, and maps in the webquest to formulate your answers. The sites have been carefully chosen for you after hours of research. Don't waste your time surfing the web for answers. You will need to include supporting graphics to illustrate your points in your e-report.

2. Take notes on the background lessons. This will allow you to organize your thoughts for the final report.

3. Apply that knowledge to the activities which follow each lesson. Save your graphic answers in a a folder designated for your project. You will need these to help the reader understand your e-report. It is also recommended that you record your thoughts and observations as you go through this webquest. Some of the lessons will need to be printed for you to be able to work on. You may be able to save the image, import it into Appleworks paint program, and add your answers before adding it to your e-report. To add this to your e-report, follow these directions . All images need to be in one folder with your html page.

4. Remember this is a report, not just answers recorded from all your questions! Brainstorm ways to organize your e-report. Develop a blueprint to show how you want your information organized, the contents of your report, and what graphics will go where. Make sure you introduce your variables so the reader knows what you are writing about. Your thoughts and answers to any questions should be in paragraph format. Be aware of the reader - just because you understand what you are doing, doesn't mean everyone does! An e-report rubric is located at the end of this page for your review and allows you to know what is expected.

THE LESSONS & ACTIVITIES:

Lesson 1: Isobars Interpreting Weather Symbols Activity

Lesson 2: Isotherms Using Isobars & Isotherms Activity

Lesson 3: Fronts Air Masses Activity

Lesson 4: Weather Predictions Forecasting Temperatures Activity and Forecasting Precipitation Activity

Lesson 5: Weather Patterns Precipitation Along Fronts Activity

Lesson 6: Converting Universal Time (tough one) Midlatitude Cyclones Activity

Now that you have completed all the lessons and activities listed, it's time to work on the e-report conclusion.
Be sure to check the scoring guide at the end of this page

THE RESOURCES:
This section is designed to give you resources that you may refer to in the event that you are unsure about what the activity is asking of you or if the activities do not give you enough information!
Weather Works - This link provides descriptions on how weather works!

Weather Glossary - Provides dictionary explanations on weather terms.

Hurricane Links - Information on all aspects of hurricanes! Includes satellite images!!

Weather Charting/Graphing - Current weather maps!

Weather Maps - The following links provide you with current weather maps which can be used in your report!
USA TODAY Weather
University of Michigan
CNN Weather
Weather.com
Weather Underground

THE EVALUATION:

Doesn't meet standard Partially meets standard Meets standard Exceeds standard

CONTENT Little information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses some but avoids most questions and situations. Organization of report is disjointed and flow is interrupted. Gives just answers to the questions - little explaination. Little evidence of concept & graphic connections. Some information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses many but not all questions and situations. Organization of report still needs work. Evidence that some concepts are understood and some connections are made. Graphics are lacking some important aspects. Adequate information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses majority of questions and situations. Report is organized with little flow interruption. Evidence supports many connections made between concepts and graphics. Graphics are used to support discussion. Concise information given to support reasoning. Discussion successfully addresses all questions and situations. Report is highly organized and flows without interruption. Details support connections made between concepts and graphics.

CONCLUSION Presents no explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather. Presents little explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather. Presents a logical explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather. Presents a superior explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.

ELECTRONIC REPORT Frequent grammar and spelling errors which make the writing difficult to understand. Infrequent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems. Grammar and spelling errors do not detract from the overall report. Frequent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems. Grammar and spelling errors are infrequent, and writing is clear. Definitive use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems. Grammar and spelling almost perfect, and writing is clear and concise. Excellent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems.

TIME MANAGEMENT Uses classtime poorely. Disorganized and no plan of action for report. Sometimes uses classtime well. Somewhat organized and has an idea of the direction intended. Usually uses classtime well. Organized and has a plan of action for report. Excellent use of classtime. Well organized with plan mapped out for organizing report.

graphic compliments of NOAA
TEACHER TIPS--Information concerning standards and planning

Created by:

Sherrie Hersom
Biology Teacher
Boothbay Region High School
236 Townsend Avenue
Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04538

Please send questions and/or comments to:Sherrie Hersom

Last revised: 9/17/2003

Lesson 1: Isobars	Interpreting Weather Symbols Activity
Lesson 2: Isotherms	Using Isobars & Isotherms Activity
Lesson 3: Fronts	Air Masses Activity
Lesson 4: Weather Predictions	Forecasting Temperatures Activity and Forecasting Precipitation Activity
Lesson 5: Weather Patterns	Precipitation Along Fronts Activity
Lesson 6: Converting Universal Time (tough one)	Midlatitude Cyclones Activity

	Doesn't meet standard	Partially meets standard	Meets standard	Exceeds standard
CONTENT	Little information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses some but avoids most questions and situations. Organization of report is disjointed and flow is interrupted. Gives just answers to the questions - little explaination. Little evidence of concept & graphic connections.	Some information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses many but not all questions and situations. Organization of report still needs work. Evidence that some concepts are understood and some connections are made. Graphics are lacking some important aspects.	Adequate information given to support reasoning. Discussion addresses majority of questions and situations. Report is organized with little flow interruption. Evidence supports many connections made between concepts and graphics. Graphics are used to support discussion.	Concise information given to support reasoning. Discussion successfully addresses all questions and situations. Report is highly organized and flows without interruption. Details support connections made between concepts and graphics.
CONCLUSION	Presents no explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.	Presents little explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.	Presents a logical explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.	Presents a superior explanation of how air pressure, temperature, & moisture interact to cause changes in the weather.
ELECTRONIC REPORT	Frequent grammar and spelling errors which make the writing difficult to understand. Infrequent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems.	Grammar and spelling errors do not detract from the overall report. Frequent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems.	Grammar and spelling errors are infrequent, and writing is clear. Definitive use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems.	Grammar and spelling almost perfect, and writing is clear and concise. Excellent use of appropriate symbols, pictures, diagrams, and models to represent and simplify weather forecasting situations and to solve problems.
TIME MANAGEMENT	Uses classtime poorely. Disorganized and no plan of action for report.	Sometimes uses classtime well. Somewhat organized and has an idea of the direction intended.	Usually uses classtime well. Organized and has a plan of action for report.	Excellent use of classtime. Well organized with plan mapped out for organizing report.