Weather and Climate Data Exploration
https://scied.ucar.edu/activity/weather-and-climate-data-exploration
https://scied.ucar.edu/activity/weather-and-climate-data-exploration
National Center for Atmospheric Research
In this activity, students collect weather data, graph temperature data, and compare the temperature data collected with long-term climate averages from where they live. Understanding the difference between weather and climate and interpreting local weather data are important first steps to understanding larger-scale global climate changes.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
Grade Level
Online Readiness
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Students (or teacher) could make up their own data collection sheet allowing them to decide what climate variables they want to record.
- Depending on teacher's background or comfort level with the science, this activity may require a significant amount of advanced preparation.
About the Content
- Very well-organized activity that engages students in collection of weather data, graphing of the data, researching climate data and understanding the differences between weather and climate.
- Teacher may want to specify that the official definition of climate is weather averaged over a 30-year period.
About the Pedagogy
- Very flexible activity that lists different ways of how activity can be incorporated in lessons, varied assessment strategies, and good background information for the teachers.
- Data collection, graphing the results, and discussion will engage students of different learning styles.
- This resource engages students in using scientific data.
See other data-rich activities