Weather Systems Investigation Project (8th Grade)

Introduction:

Weather and climate are influenced by interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and energy from the Sun. Scientists study these interactions to understand weather patterns, predict severe weather events, and examine how climate varies across different regions of Earth. In this project, you will investigate environmental factors affecting a proposed city development by analyzing evidence related to climate, atmospheric movement, ocean influences, and severe weather systems.

Standards Alignment

Texas TEKS (New Standards)

• 8.10A – Investigate and explain how interactions among the Sun, oceans, atmosphere, and land influence weather and climate.
• 8.10B – Analyze global patterns of atmospheric movement and their influence on regional weather and climate.
• 8.10C – Analyze how oceans influence weather systems, including hurricanes.

NGSS (Middle School Earth and Space Science)

• MS-ESS2-5 – Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.
• MS-ESS2-6 – Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
• ESS2.D – Weather and Climate.
• ESS2.C – The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes.

Teacher Key Included