Light the Fire Within | Curriculum | Science

Ask students how weather affects the games that they play during recess. What games do they play when the weather is nice? What games do they play when the weather is cold, wet or snowy?

Explain that people adapt their outside activities to the weather. Ask students to list several games or sports that are played during the winter. What happens if there is no snow or ice? Ask students if there is any way to predict the weather? Discuss weathermen and their jobs. Make an assignment for students to watch a weather forecast on television. Discuss what students have learned about weathermen and weather forecasting.

Explain that the Olympic Winter Games will be held in Salt Lake City Utah in 2002. Ask students to predict any weather related problems that might occur. Invite students to predict whether Salt Lake City will have good weather for the Olympics in 2002. Ask them how scientists might find this information.

Encourage students to research weather information. They might call local weather stations to ask for help, they may work with parent volunteers to access weather services over the Internet.

Help students research historical weather patterns in Utah during previous Februarys.

When students have found the information help them construct a chart with the information they gathered. Students will use the chart to predict the snowfall for February of 2002. Students will also research how both natural and man-made snow is produced.

Assessment

Students will:

	Participate in an assessment rubric that evaluates their constructed chart specific to teacher's requirements
	Discuss weather prediction methods and accuracy in a class discussion

Extensions

Teachers and students might research and discuss the following:

	How does water travel high into the atmosphere to turn into the snow that falls on the mountains?
	Why does water turn into snow when it is cold outside?
	How cold does the air need to be for snow to fall?