EL SEGUNDO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

EL SEGUNDO HIGH SCHOOL

Course Title: Meteorology

Department: Science, Aerospace Academy

Grade Levels: 9-12

COURSE DESCRIPTION

By the end of Meteorology, students will understand and use the concepts of atmospheric and space weather to predict and forecast approaching conditions. Students will download data from weather satellites, our own weather station, and from the Internet to observe the patterns and raw data of meteorology. Students will distinguish between local, regional, national, hemispheric, and global weather and climatic systems and conditions. Since this course is coupled with Introduction to Aerospace, students will also analyze space weather and the solar effects on orbiting satellite systems. Students will learn about the wide variety of career paths associated with aerospace and weather sciences.

Length: 1 semester

Prerequisite for Enrollment: none

Recommendation for Enrollment: Introduction to Aerospace

Type of Course: This course, combined with Introduction to Aerospace, satisfies the physical science requirement for high school graduation. It is a Physical Science Elective

COURSE OUTLINE

Based on California State Standards and ESHS Standards

Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLRs) are:

1. Meaningful Integration of Core Knowledge

2. Critical Thinking / Problem Solving

3. Effective Communication

4. Personal / Social Development

They will be referred to hereafter as ESLR1, ESLR2, etc. Most or all items below incorporate ESLR1 and ESLR2. Hence they will not be itemized.

I. The Earth’s Atmosphere

Students will:

1. Describe the layers of the atmosphere. (ESLR3).

2. Understand air masses.

3. Understand and predict the position and interactions of air fronts.

4. Understand physical principles of the atmosphere.

5. Know the different cloud types and understand cloud formation.

6. Describe the process of precipitation and different types thereof. (ESLR3).

7. Explain basic atmosphere/terrain/ocean interactions.

8. Understand cyclogenesis (formation and life cycle of cyclones).

II. Observing the Weather (ESLR3)

Students will:

1. Know and use key parameters and factors.

2. Utilize weather instruments

3. Make and analyze remote measurements.

4. Study and analyze weather satellites.

III. Analyzing the Weather (ESLR3)

Students will:

1. Know and use weather chart symbol.

2. Will chart weather conditions.

3. Will produce and manipulate weather maps.

4. Utilize data resources.

IV. Forecasting the Weather (ESLR3)

Students will:

1. Understand weather persistence and use it appropriately in forecasting.

2. Understand and use principles of climatology.

3. Learn and utilize the techniques of extrapolation.

4. Produce numerical weather predictions.

V. Space Weather

Students will:

1. Understand the nature and structure of the sun.

2. Observe sunspots and understand their effects.

3. Explain the problems arising from solar flares (ESLR3).

4. Explore the effects of space weather on satellites and living conditions in space.

VI. Special Topics

Students will:

1. Research the history and lore of atmospheric science (ESLR3).

2. Understand and explain severe weather (hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes) (ESLR3).

3. Differentiate El Nino from La Nina systems (ESLR3).

4. Understand the formation of smog and its effects.

5. Explain sea breezes and other local circulation effects (ESLR3).

6. Understand and apply the UV index.

7. Explain the formation and effects of Santa Ana winds (ESLR3).

8. Understand current theory regarding the causes and effects of Global Warming.

9. Explain the Ozone Layer and it’s function in the earth environment (ESLR3).

10. Understand principles of biometeorology.

11. Explore various Jobs and Careers in Meteorology (ESLR4).

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

1. Lecture (ESLR1,2,3)

2. Guest speakers (ESLR 1,2,3,4)

3. Laboratory Experiments and Investigations (ESLR 1,2,3,4; California State Standards for Laboratory Investigation 1a,b,c,f,g,i,j,k,l,n)

4. Group work (ESLR1,2,3,4)

EVALUATION/GRADING

1. Exams (ESLR 1,2,3,4)

2. Homework (ESLR 1,2,3,4)

2. Lab reports (ESLR 1,2,3,4)

3. Participation (ESLR 1,2,3,4)

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

1. Textbooks:

Meteorology Today, by C. Donald Ahrens, Pub. Brooks/Cole/Thomson Learning. 2000

2. CD ROM software accompanying Meteorology Today

3. Satellite Dish Receiver, computers and software for live downloads

Rooftop weather instruments and related computers and software

Internet Weather Resources appropriate for forecasting