In this short unit on wind, students explore what causes wind and the question “Are wind patterns changing as the climate warms?” then create an infographic to explain changes to the general public.
Context for Use
In this lesson, students will explore the question, "Are winds changing at the foot of the Rocky Mountains?"
- Lesson 1 – (45 minutes) Why does wind matter? Students examine both global and local wind data in the Global Wind Atlas to look for large-scale patterns in areas that are windy.
- Lesson 2 – (45 minutes) What makes a region windy? Students watch a video on what wind is and why some areas are windier than others. Students then analyze local seasonal wind data and apply their knowledge to explain the seasonality in wind storms
- Lesson 3 – (45 minutes) Is it getting windier? Students look local data at how wind patterns are changing over time and compare that to local anxiety about strong wind. Students then create a public-facing infographic to explain changing local wind conditions.
A wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center south of Boulder, Colorado. Credit: CIRES
Resource Type
Unit
Topics
Middle School
Instructional Time
135
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea(s)
Published Date
Contact
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
Goals Header
What Students Will Do
- Look for patterns in local wind speeds to explain what causes wind
- Apply their knowledge of what causes wind to explain yearly local wind storms
- Create an infographic to explain how wind patterns are changing
Teaching Materials
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