Name ________________________________________ Period_____ Date ______________________ It’s Your Choice…Earth’s Atmosphere Project
There’s Something for Everyone  Review the projects listed below. All projects are individual and involve different types of activities to demonstrate your knowledge of weather and climate. Choose one project that best fits your strengths and interests. Each project is worth 25 points. Follow the rubric carefully in order to get a good grade. This is a summative assessment. Enjoy! 1.
Due Date: ______________________________________________________ Deadline: ______________________________________________________ Parent Signature: _______________________________________________ Write a paper that would discuss what the earth would be like if Earth didn’t have an
atmosphere. Your paper should be at least 3 paragraphs long.  Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points)  Describe 10 ways Earth would be different; support it with facts from your research (10 points)  Explain how this change would affect you and why (5 points)  Illustrate how you think Earth would look and write a caption (3 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 2. Draw a cartoon that uses humor to explain the causes & effects of climate change.
 Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points)  Research and explain at least 3 causes of climate change (6 points)  Research and explain at least 6 effects of climate change (6 points)  Draw at least 6 frames that are neat and colorful ( 6 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 3. Create a 3-D model of a storm.
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Build an accurate, detailed model ( 7 points) Write at least 1 paragraph describing the features of the model ‐ at least 4 facts (4 points) Write at least 2 paragraphs describing a specific example of this feature – at least 14 facts (7 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 4. Create a newspaper article or report describing a weather-related event.
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Describe what, where and when it occurred (3 points) Explain the effects of the event on the people and the land – at least 8 facts (8 points) Explain what has been done to rebuild the area or protect the area from future damage – at least 5 facts (5 points)  Include one picture from the event with a caption (2 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 5.
Watch the movie Twister or The Perfect Storm. Write a movie review that’s at least 3
paragraphs long. You must have a note from home giving you permission to watch one of these movies before you begin this project. You might want to look at an actual movie review to see how they’re written.  Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points)  Research a tornado or hurricane (depending on which movie you choose) and find at least 12 facts. Include this information in an introductory paragraph. (6 points)  Write a movie review that is at least 2 paragraphs long. Be sure to include:  At least 6 examples of good science supported by why it’s good science (6 points)  At least 6 examples of bad science supported by why it’s bad science (6 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 6. Create a flipchart or powerpoint to highlight the weather history of an area.
Choose a location that has had at least 3 extreme weather events (for example, the Midwest U. S. and tornadoes, the gulf coast and hurricanes, etc.). 
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Create an introduction page with a descriptive title and an illustration (2 points) Create a map that shows where each of the weather events happened (2 points) Describe each event and include at least 8 facts (12 points) Incorporate at least 2 visuals with captions for each event (2 points) Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 7.
Conduct a weather experiment using the Well-Designed Investigation Model. Some ideas might be: How does temperature vary throughout the day? What is the relationship between air pressure and daily weather forecasts? How does cloud cover affect daily temperature? What is the relationship between daylight hours and temperature? Which weather forecasts are most accurate? 
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Materials (1 point) Background Research – at least 6 facts (3 points) Testable Question (1 point) Hypothesis written in correct form (1 point) All variables and controls identified (2 points) Detailed procedure (3 points) Data tables (2 points) Data analysis (3 points) Conclusion that refers back to testable question and is supported by data (2 points) Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 8. Create a flipchart or powerpoint to highlight the weather history of an area.
Choose a location that has had at least 3 extreme weather events (for example, the Midwest U. S. and tornadoes, the gulf coast and hurricanes, etc.). 
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Create an introduction page with a descriptive title and an illustration (2 points) Create a map that shows where each of the weather events happened (2 points) Describe each event and include at least 8 facts (12 points) Incorporate at least 2 visuals with captions for each event (2 points) Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 9. Create a weather game.
The theme of the game can be anything related to weather and the game can be any style (a board game, a card game, a computer game, etc.).  Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points)  Provide rules for game play, how to win, how many people can play, etc. (2 points)  Include a research reference that hass the correct answers so players know whether they are correct or not (1 point)  Incorporate at least 15 facts into the game(15 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 10. Create a Mythbusters -style picture book that “confirms” or “busts” weather folklore or
myths.
Weather folklore has been around for centuries. It is folklore related to the prediction of the weather that has been passed down for generations. Do some research to see is some of these are really true. 
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Identify 5 weather proverbs or folklore (3 points) Use scientific facts to explain whether the myth is confirmed or busted(10 points) Create a picture for each myth and explanation (5 points) Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 11. Create a travel brochure of a place and highlight the climate of that area.
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Include the notes you did while you were doing your research. (5 points) Identify the name of the place and provide a map of the location (2 points) Give the climate name and describe it (2 points) Identify 4 factors affecting the climate of that region and explain how (4 points) Compare/contrast the climate of the area with the climate in Maryland – at least 3 facts (3 points)  Include one picture from the area with a caption (2 points)  Include 5 additional, interesting facts about the area (5 points)  Create a bibliography in Noodletools with at least 2 sources of information (2 points) 12. Do you have your own idea? See your teacher to discuss it and create a rubric!
Tips for a Successful Project:
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Weather Topic
Choose topics and products that interest you. Organize your information as you research! Record bibliography information as you work. Pace yourself ‐ don’t wait until the last minute. Ask if you have any questions. Revise and edit your written work. Turn in something you’re proud of! Useful Websites
Weather Channel for Kids: http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/weather‐
ed/weather‐encyclopedia/ FEMA for Kids: http://www.fema.gov/kids/dizarea.htm Weather Wiz Kids: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/ Web Weather for Kids: http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/ NOAA Weather for Kids: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/reachout/kidspage.shtml
Weather Topic
General Climate Info– A Good Starting Point! Tornado Hurricane/Typhoon Ice Storm/Blizzard Flood
Weather Folklore Extreme Weather Useful Websites
Atlapedia: http://www.atlapedia.com/ Culturegrams: http://online.culturegrams.com/ DK Travel Guide: http://traveldk.com/ Fodor’s Travel Guide: http://www.fodors.com/ Frommer’s Travel Guide: www.frommers.com World Climate Information: www.worldclimate.com World Travels: http://www.wordtravels.com/ NOAA Tornado Guide: http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/tornadoguide.html FEMA Tornado: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/index.shtm Tornado Project: http://www.tornadoproject.com/ National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Hurricane News: http://www.hurricane.com/ USSARTF Blizzards: http://www.ussartf.org/blizzards.htm Winter Storm Resource Center: http://urbanext.illinois.edu/winter/storms.cfm Disaster Center: http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/winter.html USGS Floods: http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/floods/ American Red Cross Floods: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b
80f78a0/?vgnextoid=fdb4510f935ea110VgnVCM10000030f3870aRCRD# Weather Wiz Kids: http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather‐folklore.htm NOAA: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rnk/Newsletter/Fall_2010/folklore.html Weather Folklore: http://www.suite101.com/content/weather‐folklore‐and‐
the‐science‐behind‐it‐a275950 Sky Watch: http://www.wilstar.com/skywatch.htm Weather Dude: http://www.wxdude.com/proverb.html Extreme Science: http://www.extremescience.com/zoom/index.php/weather Weather Extremes: http://www.keno.org/vws/weather_records_2.htm World Weather Extremes: http://www.ggweather.com/sf/extremes.html Extreme Places: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/extreme/html_docs/Weather.html NOAA Weather Extremes: http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/extremes.html