Background

Weather directly affects people. It determines how they dress, what they do and what they need to pack. Weather is a constantly changing set of phenomena and is easily observable. Even though meteorology includes some complex scientific study, it is a wonderful example of how scientists make predictions based on measurements and observations.

Prior Knowledge

No prior knowledge necessary. Can be taught as a previsit, post visit or stand alone program.

Key Learning Question

How does weather affect our daily lives?

Learning Intentions

In this progam students will:

• Predict the weather
• Learn about the weather using a variety of weather testing instruments
• Demonstarte that air is all around us and wind is moving air
• Determine wind direction and wind speed using bubbles
• Construct a wind sock and observe the wind direction and wind speed

Activities

Students will:

• Make predicitons about the weather
• Use weather testing instruments to collect data
• Use different equipment to observe wind direction and wind speed
• Make a wind sock

Victorian Curriculum

• People use science in their daily lives (VCSSU041)
• Observable changes occur in the sky and landscape; daily and seasonal changes affect everyday life (VCSSU046)
• Respond to and pose questions, and make predictions about familiar objects and events (VCSIS050)
• Use informal measurements in the collection and recording of observations (VCSIS052).

Learning Continuum

The following Learning Continuum is a guide for teachers to show the links between the programs Ecolinc offers onsite, online and through outreach. The Learning Continuum can be used to access Ecolinc resources to support the development of units of work.

Ecolinc Learn Online is an online learning management system offering interactive online courses for students and teachers. These courses can be undertaken either as a pre-visit, post-visit or stand-alone. Students are encouraged to do the pre-learning course before coming to Ecolinc for an onsite program.

Outreach programs are conducted by an Ecolinc education officer at your school. They are available to moderately disadvantaged primary schools in the Geelong, Ballarat and western suburbs areas (or within 100km radius from Bacchus Marsh)