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GLOBE: Cloud Watch
https://www.globe.gov/documents/348614/381dac63-2770-4517-95ab-275a2effcf9f

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment Program, National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Students observe cloud type and coverage, as well as other weather conditions over a five-day period and correlate these observations. Students make and test predictions using these observations.

This activity takes one 30-50 minute class period plus 5-10 minutes for up to three times/day over five days for the observations.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»


Grade Level

Online Readiness

Topics

Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

Teaching Tips

  • This lesson plan is short and straightforward, and very easy for an instructor to follow, and also to easily adapt to their learner's needs.
  • Pairs well with the lesson "Observing, Describing, and Identifying Clouds", and both could easily be facilitated together across the same several days.
  • GLOBE Observer is one way to submit data from cloud observations.
  • Consider having a local weather forecaster visit to talk about predicting weather through clouds and other tools as an extension.
  • Recording format can be created by teacher or GLOBE journal.

About the Content

  • Students makes connections between cloud type, cloud cover, and weather.
  • Students participate in a multi-day observation task.
  • Students use scientific inquiry to explore clouds, and look for patterns, in order to predict the weather.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

About the Pedagogy

  • Outdoor work will engage students and can easily be executed at home.
  • This lesson can support multiple ages and multiple learning styles with its place-based and hands-on approach to learning about the weather.
  • Students, especially elementary age, will be engaged in making observations across multiple days and times.
  • The content can easily be adapted for younger students or older students.
  • Instructors will need to develop their own assessment.
Entered the Collection: August 2020 Last Reviewed: June 2020

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