Challenge Brief: Weather
The weather is an important part of our lives, influencing what we wear, what activities
we enjoy and even how we feel. But what is weather?
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. Our weather
is shaped by the sun, earth, air and water. The unequal heating of the earth causes a
world-wide air movement. Weather can vary from fluffy white clouds on a sunny day to
tornadoes ripping across the plains; from blinding snow storms, to wild hurricanes or
gently falling rain.
Depending on the influences of the sun, water, earth and air, weather conditions may
become extreme. Meteorologists are scientists who study and forecast the weather.
Using a variety of weather instruments, maps and reports, meteorologists study the
ever-changing weather information in order to discover trends and patterns which help
them forecast the weather for the next few hours and days.
You have been asked to join the National Weather Team. Your job is to report on one of
the extreme weather conditions (hurricanes, tornadoes, hail storms, floods,
thunderstorms, winter storms, tsunami's or typhoons) to help citizens prepare for harsh
weather.
How can we become weather experts in order to educate others to protect our
community?
Your weather team will present a video to the weather station at KBTX, channel 3.
Your video will be submitted to their First Time Forecasters contest department as they
select a student to present the weather on TV with a real meteorologist.
Your video should demonstrate that you:
* Recognize that the Sun provides the energy that drives convection within the
atmosphere and oceans, producing winds and ocean currents
* Identify how global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather
using weather maps that show high and low pressures and fronts
* Identify the role of the oceans in the formation of weather systems such as
hurricanes
PS…. All group members must be present in the video and contribute to the weather forecast in some
capacity. Be sure to plan professional-looking props and costumes for your video. Take advantage of a
powerpoint or other software to use in the background of your video. A script is a MUST and must be
turned in along with the video for your final grade.
Good Luck!
HINTS:
Your meteorologist team will write a script for the evening news. Using maps, graphics,
and weather symbols, you and your partner will describe in a 6 minute weather report,
and the explanation of your extreme weather condition. Prepare some type of media
format to show the pressure patterns, the position of fronts, areas of precipitation,
areas of dangerous weather and patterns.
You will need to remember to include an explanation about why these form of
weather occur in your weather broadcast
Your script should include these parts:
1) Introduction
2) A review of current weather conditions in the area you are forecasting.
3) A detailed forecast for the rest of the week. This includes highs/lows, fronts,
participation, temps, etc.
4) Refer to local activities that the upcoming weather will affect.
5) Advice about preparing for the weather Each member of your team should be
responsible for one of the components.
6) Media image to show the high and low pressure areas, Temperatures for forecast
period, possible precipitation for the week. Each member must be actively involved in
the video presentation and research