Much of the unpredictability of Michigan’s weather is attributable to air masses. The goal of this workshop is to provide middle school teachers with the content mastery necessary to teach Michigan’s academic science standard MS-ESS2-5: to “collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditions.”
Climate first, then air masses
As an important context for understanding the effect of air masses upon weather in Michigan, the factors behind our existing patterns of seasonality, that is, our climate, are covered first. Participants are then able to better appreciate what the impacts of air masses are.
Real-time data your students can use
Participants are introduced to several sources of real-time weather data, including the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Service and the Wyoming Weather Web, among others. These are the same sources students can use to collect the evidence the standard asks for.
Format
The workshop is three hours long, with a 15-minute break, and is worth 3 SCECHs. Handouts with suggested in-class activities are provided.
