7th Grade Science
Weather Forecasting Extra Credit Project
Marking Period 1
This project is NOT MANDATORY. The purpose of this project is for the students to showcase their
knowledge of weather forecasting.
Imagine you are a meteorologist who has the difficult job of forecasting the unpredictable weather. You will
prepare you own colored map of the United States, Northeast region, or Tri-State area (NJ, DE, PA) and use this
map to forecast the weather. Add appropriate fronts (cold, warm, stationary, and/or occluded) on the map. Your
map must also include isobars and high/low pressure centers according to the isobar locations.
Once you have prepared your weather map, you must write a paragraph that forecasts the weather using your
map. You may forecast for the entire United States, an area of the Northeast region, or one state from the tri-state
area. Your forecast must include wind, precipitation, storms (if applicable), general temperatures (warm/cold),
specific temperatures, and travel advice.
This project is due on Wednesday, November 24th. No projects will be accepted after this date- no exceptions!
Project can be completed on computer or by hand. (If created on the computer, map must be original and not taken
directly from the internet). It is strongly suggested that students creating map by hand use construction paper or
posterboard for they are more durable. This project will be counted as a test grade and will be broken down into
the following categories:
Weather Map
Use of fronts
Includes pressure centers
Includes isobars
Weather Forecast
Mentions wind
Mentions precipitation
Mentions storms
Mentions general temperatures
Mentions specific temperatures
Travel advice
Value of analysis
Neatness/Presentation
Spelling
40 points
20 points
10 points
10 points
40 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
5 points
10 points
10 points
10 points
TOTAL POINTS
100 points
7th Grade Science
Name: ______________________________________ Class: ___________
Marking Period 1
Date: ________________________
Weather Forecast Extra Credit Project Rubric
Area
Use of fronts
(20 points)
Strong
Proficient
Below Average
Poor
Map includes more
than one cold and
warm front and all
fronts are accurate
Map includes
more than one
cold and warm
front
Map only includes
one cold and
warm front and
both fronts are
accurate
Map’s only cold or
only warm front
not accurate
(20)
N/A
(18)
Map includes
accurate high and
low pressure
centers
(15)
Only one pressure
center on map is
accurate
(≤12)
Neither pressure
center on map is
accurate
(10)
Use of isobars on
map accurate.
(5)
Use of isobars on
map slightly
inaccurate.
(2)
Major error in use
of isobars on map.
(10)
Forecast includes
all (six) topics.
(5)
Forecast includes
all topics but up
to three topics are
inaccurate.
(2)
Forecast includes
all topics but more
than three topics
are inaccurate OR
does not include
all (six) topics.
(25)
Forecast is a strong
summary that ties
evidence together.
(22-24)
Forecast includes
valid analysis of
evidence.
(19-21)
Forecast
summarizes
evidence with
slight inaccuracy.
(10)
Map is neat and
readable with clear
title and no
markings, etc.
(8-9)
Map is readable
with title and few
markings, etc.
(6-7)
Map does not
have title OR Map
has some
markings, etc.
(≤18)
Forecast does not
summarize
evidence or
contains major
inaccuracy.
(≤5)
Map is not
readable and has
multiple
markings, etc.
(10)
No spelling errors
(8-9)
Few (1 or 2)
spelling errors
(8-9)
(6-7)
Some (3 or 4)
spelling errors
(6-7)
(≤5)
Multiple spelling
errors
(≤5)
Pressure Centers
(10 points)
Isobars
(10 points)
Weather Forecast
Topics
(30 points)
Weather Forecast
Value
(10 points)
Presentation
(10 points)
Spelling
(10 points)
Forecast includes all
(six) topics and uses
position of fronts
and pressure
centers to explain
weather.
Your Final Grade: ________
(10)