Predicting the Future: The Science and Technology of Weather Forecasting

The mission of the Teacher Education Resource Center (TERC) is to improve math, science, technology teaching and learning, as well as to foster professional development, and support new technologies. That's why TERC plans to serve as an advisor in the development and implementation of a weather portal exhibit in the Boston Museum of Science. This exhibit will focus on the concept of understanding and fine-tuning weather forecasts based on current satellite and radar data.

TERC plans to develop a web site featuring a core set of publicly available satellite and radar images, along with an online tutorial to help students and educators use these resources. The tutorial will be targeted for students to use at home or on public-access computers, before or after their museum experiences.

TERC will also develop a 50-minute group meteorology learning activity for use in the museum's computer center. This experience will help visitors learn a few core concepts of using online weather information sources. It will also include a booklet of supplementary materials for teachers who participate in this activity with their students.

If you can't get to Boston to see this Weather Forecasting exhibit, you can still learn more about weather and atmospheric processes with PLATO® Earth and Space Science.

PLATO® Earth and Space Science engages students with instruction that brings science concepts to life with theme-based scenarios that encourage students to explore scientific inquiry, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The hands-on learning environment offers animation, video, narrations, and interactions to demonstrate concepts, enhance lectures, and deepen understanding that helps students prepare to meet stringent science performance standards. And a sophisticated test-item bank is included for teachers to assign objective-based pre- and post tests to determine students' level of understanding and prescribe appropriate instruction.

PLATO® Earth and Space Science is component of a three-part, multi-award-winning PLATO Middle School Science Series, which also includes PLATO® Life Science and PLATO® Physical Science. These curricula can be used effectively for whole class instruction, preparation for standards and high-stakes tests, individual or small group study, and remediation.

PLATO® Earth and Space Science includes additional lessons beyond weather and atmospheric processes:

• Planet Earth
• Water in our World
• Earth, Space and the Universe
• Ecology and Natural Resources

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