WeatherHawk Classroom Weather Project
Name of Activity: Reporting and Forecasting the Weather / Video project
Grade level: grade levels 5 – 12
Objectives and Purpose for learners:
National Science Teachers Association Standards (NSTA):
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Plans and implements investigative procedures.
Uses equipment and technology.
Collects data by observing and measuring.
Analyzes and interprets information to construct reasonable explanations from
direct and indirect evidence.
Communicates valid conclusions.
Constructs graphic structures of information using tools including computers to
organize, examine, and evaluate data.
Analyzes and reviews scientific explanations.
Materials needed:
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WeatherHawk weather station or WindMate/SkyMate hand held wind meters
Computers with video editing software and internet access
Camcorder, microphone, tripod
Weather symbols, graphics, pictures, maps, etc.
Various weather props
Professional Cooperation:
This project could benefit from the assistance and expertise of the Language Arts
teachers, Drama/Speech teachers, and/or the Technology/Media teachers in your
school. It would also be helpful to ask for assistance from PTA volunteers.
Website resources:
1. Web Weather for Kids http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/forecasttips.html
2. National Weather Service local forecasts http://www.weather.gov/
3. Weather Channel
http://www.weather.com/?cm_ven=PS_GGL_Channel_9102015_1
4. Weather Glossary http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/glossary.html
5. Dan’s Wild Wild Weather Page http://www.wildwildweather.com/
7. NOAA education resources http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/edures.shtml
Project
Day 1 Introduction
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Assess students' prior knowledge by discussing weather concepts that the class
has studied, as well as television weather forecasts.
Questions or prompts you may want to use include:
What does a TV weather reporter do?
Where does weather information come from?
How is weather information gathered?
Show a video clip of a television weather report or forecast.
Highlight some of the information the reporter focused on (air temperature, wind
speed, humidity, etc.).
Tell students they will have the opportunity to try their hand at being a weather
reporter!
Days 2 – 6 Research
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Work together in student groups of three. Have students choose an area to report
on: hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, droughts, or the current local weather,
for example.
Provide ample time for students to use the online resources and weather maps to
research the weather conditions they will be forecasting or reporting on. Two of
the excellent websites for basic weather forecasting information are Web Weather
for Kids, and Dan’s Wild Weather Page. (see website resources listed above)
Analyze the data from the Weatherhawk weather station.
Before doing research, create a computer folder for saving any interesting or
relevant weather information, photos, video clips, or graphics that will be used in
each project.
Throughout the duration of this project, allow students to use a digital camera to
take photography of any pertinent weather phenomenon happing right outside the
classroom door.
Day 7 Assign roles and storyboard ideas
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Either assign students or allow students to choose roles within their group. For
example, one person will act as a news/weather director, the second will be
reporting the weather, and the third will use the camera to film. (Roles can also be
rotated.) All three group members will collaborate on writing their script.
Storyboard ideas - decide how to present the information in a weather
report/forecast. The most beneficial format for storyboarding is to write each
scene, graphic, or title by itself, and then later put them in the order they will
appear in the finished video.
Begin gathering special effects props to use for the taping sessions (from home or
school). Creative props might include umbrellas, winter wear, a fan for wind,
snowflake cutouts, etc.
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Decide upon and prepare the setting for the filming. Possibilities include a large
wall equipped with a map of either your state or the United States, or another
interesting site inside or outside of the school building.
Days 8 – 10 Write
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Using the computer lab or classroom computers, write the weather script. The
script should include details for the person using the camera, information for the
director, directions for using props, as well as the written script for the weather
reporter to follow.
Allow enough time for first draft and subsequent revisions of their weather report.
Day 11 Rehearse
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Let students rehearse their scripts, as well as the use of the camera, microphone
and props.
Day 12 Film
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Videotape the weather reports. Several “takes” might be needed to be sure that
the best presentation is captured on film. Tip: Filming in short takes of 30 - 45
seconds or so makes the film editing much easier than allowing the camera to run
for long segments. To minimize film erasures and mistakes, ask students to not
rewind the tapes as they film. If more than one “take” is needed, continue
filming. Any un-needed scenes can then be deleted as the project is edited.
Days 13 – 16 Edit
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Edit the filmed clips using video editing software.
Include in your video project graphics found on the WeatherHawk website as well
as other online weather resources, such as the photography and graphics found on
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather
education website.
Use any weather photography taken by the student photographers.
Effective audio for your videos might include exciting weather sound effects or
music downloaded from iTunes. Some possible fun music titles include:
1. Good Day Sunshine
2. Here Comes the Sun
3. Singin’ in the Rain
4. Rainy Days and Mondays
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow
If your computers have the capability, burn a DVD of the completed project.
Day 17 Present
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Share videotaped presentations with the class. Enjoy and celebrate these exciting
projects!
Assessment
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Do the students understand the core curriculum weather objectives your class has
studied?
Can students effectively explain the weather data from the WeatherHawk station?
Were students able to analyze the maps of different weather conditions to create a
weather forecast?
Were the students able to effectively navigate and use online weather resources?
Did the students in the small groups work well together? Was the work shared
equally?
Lesson extensions
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Schedule time for a school assembly where student weather videos are
presented.
Invite a local television meteorologist to visit your school to speak about
the science and excitement of weather forecasting. Allow students to ask
questions related to their weather and science interests. Ask the
meteorologist to talk about the possibility of a career in weather
forecasting.
Hold a Parent Night where parents can view the weather projects.
Take your video projects to show at a local elementary school or senior
center.
If possible, schedule a field trip to a local television station to watch a live
weather forecast.
Upload your weather videos onto the school website.
Resources
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The NOAA website has a large list of weather related videos and DVDs
available.
Breen, Mark and Kathleen Friestad. The Kid’s Book of Weather Forecasting.
Nashville: Williamson Books, 2008.
ISBN 13:978-0-8249-6823-6