Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design an outreach program that effectively educates our community about the key components of weather systems, their impact on daily life, and the importance of understanding severe weather events?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the key components of weather systems, and how do they interact to influence our daily lives?
- How does air pressure affect weather patterns and events in our local community?
- In what ways can understanding frontal boundaries help us predict weather changes?
- What impact does severe weather have on communities, and how can outreach programs educate people about these effects?
- How can we effectively communicate complex scientific concepts related to weather to a diverse audience?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will understand the key components of weather systems, including air pressure and frontal boundaries.
- Students will design an outreach program that educates the community about weather impacts and predictions.
- Students will effectively communicate scientific concepts related to weather to a diverse audience.
Next Generation Science Standards
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsClimate Heroes: Community Impact Project
Students hear a story about a community affected by climate change. They are tasked with researching various weather phenomena, its impacts, and how they can create outreach programs to raise awareness in their community.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Weather Explorer Journal
Students will research different weather phenomena and their causes. This activity provides students with foundational knowledge on weather patterns, air pressure, and frontal boundaries, which they will later apply to outreach program development.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA weather journal with written entries, illustrations, and a group presentation summarizing the research findings on their assigned weather phenomenon.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the study of weather patterns and their impacts, helping students understand content knowledge in science.Weather Impact Survey Design
Students will create a survey to understand how weather impacts their local community. This activity encourages critical thinking and application of their research from the previous activity.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA compiled report of survey results with graphs and an analysis of how weather impacts community activities and decision-making.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with the development of inquiry skills as students analyze real-world applications of their weather knowledge.Outreach Program Proposal
Using the knowledge gained from prior activities, students will design an outreach program to educate their community about a specific weather phenomenon and its impacts.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive outreach program proposal with supporting materials that outline an educational plan for a chosen weather phenomenon.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsThis activity aligns with real-world application of their learned knowledge, allowing them to create and present a science-based outreach initiative.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioWeather Warriors Outreach Program Rubric
Research and Content Understanding
Assessment of students' research on their assigned weather phenomenon and understanding of weather systems.Comprehension of Weather Phenomena
Evaluate the depth of understanding students demonstrate about their assigned weather phenomenon, including causes and effects.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the assigned weather phenomenon, including detailed causes and well-explained effects.
Proficient
3 PointsShows thorough understanding of the assigned weather phenomenon with well-described causes and effects.
Developing
2 PointsShows emerging understanding of the weather phenomenon with some causes and effects identified.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates initial understanding, missing key causes and effects.
Research Skills
Evaluate the quality and comprehensiveness of research conducted on the weather phenomenon.
Exemplary
4 PointsResearch is thorough, with credible sources and comprehensive coverage of relevant aspects of the phenomenon.
Proficient
3 PointsResearch includes credible sources and covers the key aspects of the phenomenon.
Developing
2 PointsResearch shows limited scope with some credible sources, covering partial aspects.
Beginning
1 PointsResearch is superficial with insufficient credible sources or coverage.
Critical Thinking and Application
Assessment of students' ability to apply their understanding of weather to real-world contexts through surveys and outreach proposal.Survey Design and Analysis
Evaluate the effectiveness of the survey questions and the analysis of collected data.
Exemplary
4 PointsSurvey questions are well-constructed, and analysis demonstrates insightful observations and trends.
Proficient
3 PointsSurvey questions are effective, and analysis shows clear observations.
Developing
2 PointsSurvey questions are basic, with surface-level observations in analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsSurvey questions are underdeveloped; analysis is incomplete or lacking.
Outreach Proposal Quality
Evaluate the clarity and effectiveness of the outreach program proposal and its educational value.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposal is exceptionally clear, well-organized, and demonstrates advanced understanding of educational outreach.
Proficient
3 PointsProposal is clear and organized, showing good understanding of outreach principles.
Developing
2 PointsProposal lacks organization or clarity, with basic understanding of outreach principles.
Beginning
1 PointsProposal is unclear and lacks educational value.
Communication and Collaboration
Assessment of students' ability to communicate their findings and work effectively in groups.Presentation Skills
Evaluate the effectiveness and clarity of group presentations on their weather phenomenon research.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresentation is highly engaging, clear, and logically structured; demonstrates leadership in communication.
Proficient
3 PointsPresentation is clear and structured, with effective communication of ideas.
Developing
2 PointsPresentation lacks structure or clarity, and communication is unclear at times.
Beginning
1 PointsPresentation is unclear with poor communication of ideas.
Collaboration and Participation
Evaluate the degree to which students effectively collaborate and contribute to group tasks.
Exemplary
4 PointsShows leadership and initiative in group activities, contributing significantly to collaborative tasks.
Proficient
3 PointsWorks effectively in a group, contributing to collaborative tasks.
Developing
2 PointsShows some participation in group tasks, with inconsistent contribution.
Beginning
1 PointsLimited participation, requires guidance to contribute to group tasks.