WWW - Wonderful Web Weather

URL: http://www.hallsville.org/elementary/stillwell/webquests/weatherwq/Weather.htm

dlese.org|1007936

This is a web quest for students to research weather forecasting using the Internet. Students work in groups to study how accurate weather forecasts are by tracking the weather for 3 days in several locations. Using graphs students then compare how each location scored in accuracy and present their findings to the class. This site contains links for students to use for more background information, a process for the students to follow, and evaluation rubrics for the student-produced graphs and presentation.

Summary

Subject keyword(s)	Astronomy, Atmospheric science, Data analysis, Data collection, Data presentation, Earth and space science, Earth science, Geoscience, Mathematics, Meteorology, Physical sciences, Real world applications, Science, Space Science, Space sciences, Statistics, Weather
Grade level	Elementary School, Middle School, Informal Education
Intended audience	Learner
Resource type	Assessment Materials, Instructional Material
Resource format	text, text/html
Rights	Copyright and Other Restrictions Information is Unknown.

Found in collection(s)

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Title	DLESE Community Collection
Link	http://www.dlese.org/
Description	The Digital Library for Earth System Education (DLESE) mission is to improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of teaching and learning about the Earth System, by developing, managing, and providing access to high-quality educational resources and supporting services through a community-based, distributed digital library. Intended users include students, educators and citizens of all ages, in both formal and informal learning environments. The collection favors resources that convey linkages and connections; the general with the specific, theory with evidence, global with local, and that demonstrate the application of science to solving real world problems. This includes providing access to Earth data sets and imagery, and the tools and interfaces that enable their effective use. DLESE resources are community-contributed, by individuals, organizations, and formal collection efforts.
	Full description and distribution of resources

Title	Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Link	http://msteacher2.org/
Description	The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience.
	Full description and distribution of resources

Content contained within the resource

Webquest: WWW - Wonderful Web Weather by  Jason Parrish Modified for use in Hallville, Missouri by Suzanne Stillwell February 2001, Updated October 2005 Introduction |Task| Resources |Process |Evaluation| Conclusion Introduction You are investigators working for The Center for Accuracyon the Internet. Your boss has instructed youto do a study on some of the various weather forecasts on the web. Yourmission is to study how accurate those forecasts are, and identify whichones are the best and the worst. Are you up to the challenge? The Task For this assignment you will track the weather for threedays, and compare this actual weather with the online weather forecastsof several prominent weather sites. Then you will create a large graphcomparing how each of the four sites scored. You will use the graph duringa press conference showcasing and presenting your results. ResourcesChoosefour of the sites below to evaluate: YahooWeather CNNWeather TheWeather Channel USAToday Weather Accuweather National Weather Service Local stations on the internet: KOMU KRCG KMIZ Recording Your Data Excel Graph Starter The ProcessYou will need to complete the following steps to successfullycomplete your mission: You will be assigned to a team of four investigators. Each of you will choose one of the weather forecasting web sites listedin resources above. Then you will use the computer to view the chosen web site. When you reach the site you will print off a local Hallsville/Columbia,Missouri forecast for the next four days. You need to judge how easy it is to understand the forecast this site provides,using the scale to be presented further down thepage. Starting the following day, you will compare the forecast from your sitewith the actual weather and temperatures as provided by any local areanewscast. Accuracy for temperature will be defined as within three degreesabove or below. At the end of the three days, you and your teammates will compile yourresults and reward points to each site based on the scalebelow. You will then need to graph the results clearly in Excel  (see ExcelWeather Graph Starter file) or use graph paper. You and your team members will then plan and present a press conferenceto release you findings to the media. Identify the best and worst site,and be sure to provide examples and explanations. Use your graph. Rating the SitesHere is a table to aid you in evaluating the sites. Assignscores to each site. Compare and contrast each site's score.  Youcan get a copy of this chart from your teacher or by going to this printablerating scale. Easy to Understand  Very Easy  3 Pts.  OK  2 Pts.  Hard  1 Pts.  High Temperature Within Three Degrees  3 Days  3 Pts.  2 days  2 Pts.  1 Day  1 Pt.  No Days  0 Pts.  Low Temperature Within Three Degrees  3 Days  3 Pts.  2 Days  2 Pts.  1 Day  1 Pt.  No Days  0 Pts.  Forecast Correct  3 Days  3 Pts.  2 Days  2 Pts.  1 Day  1 Pt.  No Days  0 Pts.  Evaluation You will be evaluated on this assignment on both the clarityand completeness of your graph, and the overall quality of your presentation.To see rubrics detailing my expectations see the links below. Graph Scoring Guide Presentation Scoring Guide Conclusion Hopefully on the completion of this lesson you will havelearned something about the nature of information on the internet and theneed to examine it with a critical eye. You will have found that some informationis of better quality than other information. Furthermore you will haveorganized information, made judgements and presented findings. When you have completed this assignment, see if youcan answer these additional questions. Can you apply what you have learned to other categoriesof sites on the World Wide Web? What are some examples of sites you could evaluate? Introduction |Task| Resources |Process |Evaluation| Conclusion Based on a template from TheWebquest Page.