Smithsonian Science Education Center Launches New Web App “Weather Lab”
How does weather form? It is easy to see the effects of weather when it is snowing or when a storm rolls through, but it is difficult to visualize on a continental scale. Weather Lab is a new app designed by educators at the Smithsonian Science Education Center, along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to help students and teachers understand the complex interactions of ocean currents and air masses that form weather over North America.
In Weather Lab, students take on the role of meteorologists to predict how to dress for spring weather in particular regions of the United States. Like all models, Weather Lab represents probability of outcomes. Students make a prediction for possible spring weather events by choosing from a selection of ocean currents and air masses. These predictions revolve around how to prepare for the weather when the air masses interact. Each correct prediction also links to satellite images and videos of real-life events of the scenario courtesy of NOAA.
The app supports the Next Generation Science Standards for middle school. Teachers can use it to support lessons about weather patterns and engage students in weather modeling and predicting.
Weather Lab is available online at www.ssec.si.edu/app/weather.
About the Smithsonian Science Education Center
The mission of the Smithsonian Science Education Center (formerly the National Science Resources Center) is to improve K–12 teaching and learning of science for all students in the United States and throughout the world. The center is nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its programs and its impact on K–12 science education.
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SI-184-2015
