1998 WWLPT Environmental Institute: Weather

Lesson Title:WIND AND AIR PRESSURE

by John Lord
Coral Springs Middle School
Coral Springs, Florida

Background on the Wind

Wind is the motion of atmospheric air measured relative to the rotating Earth. It is sun's energy that supplies the forces to move air. This air circulation of the wind is caused by thermal (heat) and pressure contents over the globe. There are secondary circulations caused by land and oceans, and tertiary circulations caused by local topography.

The sun's heat raised the air (low pressure area) and the wind flow (from high pressure areas) to replace it. It is in response to the unequal rates of radiational heating and cooling within the Earth's atmosphere system that we have weather (air, temperature, wind, cloudiness and precipitation).

Instructor's Objectives to top

Student should be able to explain the coriolis effect.
Student should be able to show relationship between temperature, pressure and volume.
Student should be able to understand the wind direction around high and low pressure systems.
Student should be able to track hurricanes by plotting coordinates.
Student should be able to using data from weather observations predict the weather.
Student should be able to explain the different types of currents.
Student should be able to demonstrate the importance of air pressure.

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Target Audience or Age Group to top

Science students of grades 4-8

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Notes to the Teacher: to top

After using web site for historical hurricane information, return to main page by using the "back" arrow.
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Materials & Equipment Needs

Each lab has a complete list of materials and equipment needed.

Background to top
To check for the student's prior knowledge of the subject, you can use the K.W.L.(K for what student already knows, W for what they want to learn about the subject, L for what they have learned.) Do the K and the W before the experience and the L after the experiences. You can also use concept mapping and journal writing.

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The Student Lab to to .

Lab 1

Tracking Zelda

In this activity students will track a hurricane using given conditions.

LAB 2

A SODIUM: CHLOR...RIDE Up, Up, and Away!

In this activity, students will investigate the effect of wind, temperature, and density on the formation of ocean currents.

LAB 3

EFFECTS OF ROTATION (CORIOLIS EFFECT)

LAB 4

The Effect of Rotation on the Sinking of Cold Water

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Methods of Evaluation/Assessment

Each lab comes with its own evaluation tool
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Extension/Reinforcement/Additional Ideas to top

If you would like your students to track some historic hurricane information can be found at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.html

Click here for additional information on El Nino.

References Including Web Addresses to top
NSTA Galapagos Jason Curriculum, 1991
Prentice-Hall, Voyage of Exploration, 1991.
Glencoe, Integrated Science Activity Book
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.html

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Woodrow Wilson Leadership Program in Environmental Science

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The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation

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