Unit 9: Weather and Climate

Students will know how to:
-Describe the structure of the atmosphere and its role in weather and climate
-Explain how seasons are caused by Earth’s tilt and solar radiation
-Identify and interpret weather patterns and use them to make predictions
-Distinguish between weather and climate
-Analyze climate data to understand variability and long-term trends
-Evaluate models and simulations of climate and atmospheric processes
-Predict the occurrence and impacts of natural hazards based on weather and climate data

Core Topics:
-Structure of the atmosphere
-Seasons and solar radiation
-Weather patterns and prediction
-Climate vs. weather

NGSS Performance Expectations:
HS-ESS2-5 – Use models to explain how thermal energy is transferred and distributed in Earth’s atmosphere and affects weather patterns.
HS-ESS2-6 – Analyze climate variability and long-term trends using data.
HS-ESS3-2 – Use data to predict natural hazards and assess their impacts.
HS-ESS3-5 – Use and evaluate climate models to understand and predict changes in Earth’s climate.

Essential Questions students will be able to answer:
-How is the atmosphere structured, and how does it affect weather and climate?
-How do Earth’s tilt and solar radiation create seasons?
-How can weather patterns be predicted using observations and data?
-What is the difference between weather and climate, and why is this distinction important?
-How can climate models be used to understand long-term changes in Earth’s systems?
-How can data help us predict and respond to natural hazards?

Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs):
-Interpreting Data
-Constructing Explanations
-Developing and Using Models
-Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):
-Patterns
-Systems
-Energy and Matter
-Cause and Effect

Demonstration of Learning / Suggested Activities:

-Unit Test
-Quizzes
-Build and analyze a weather station
-Climate model simulation
-Local weather prediction activity
-Analyze climate and weather data to construct explanations for observed patterns
-Use models to predict impacts of seasonal changes and natural hazards