Weather: Monster Storms

Developed in partnership with NOAA, NASA, and the National Geographic Society, this dynamic curriculum gives students the opportunity to explore the patterns of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other weather events. Students will learn how current research and technology help us better understand the patterns and changes in weather, forecast the size and impact of weather events, and prepare for and avoid the potential damage that could occur.

Operation: Monster Storms includes interactive games, high-quality videos, and immersive missions that not only teach key science concepts, but also asks students to make predictions, take actions to prepare, and measure the outcomes of their choices. Students will fly into the eye of a hurricane, and chase tornadoes through Tornado Alley. During these exciting missions, they will collect data on the ground, use instruments in the sky, and analyze satellite images from space. In addition, they will join leading weather scientists as they explore wild weather while learning how to apply key science principles.

Appropriate Age Levels:
Innovatively designed to be appropriate for upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Rigorously aligned to national and state science standards as well as mathematics, social studies, and English language arts standards, and national curriculum standards, including NCTM, IB, and ISTE.

Students gain access to 5 unique missions, each comprising of written articles, labs, field assignments, interactive games, video, and animations.

Mission 1: Profiling the Suspects – Trouble Brewing in Earth’s Atmosphere
Students will join Anthony Guillory, Airborne Science Manager at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility, where they will gather critical weather intelligence to anticipate the threat of a monster storm.

Mission 2: The Plot Condenses – Air and Water
Robbie Hood, Atmospheric Scientist at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center/Wallops Flight Facility, leads students as they pursue energy through the intricate pathways of the water cycle as it fuels monster storms.

Mission 3: The Chase – On the Run in Tornado Alley
Students will learn with host Tim Samaras, National Geographic Emerging Explorer & Senior Engineer, how to apply their knowledge of forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion to explore the universe around them.

Mission 4: The Hunt – Flying into the Eye
Jason Dunion, Research Meteorologist at University of Miami; NOAA/AOML Hurricane Research Division, leads students in the process of successfully predicting hurricanes by exposing the mysteries of their formation, intensity, track, and decay.

Mission 5: The Recovery – Living with Monster Storms
Students will join Shirley Murillo, Research Meteorologist at NOAA/AOML Hurricane Research Division as they protect and minimize the loss of life and vital assets before, during, and after a storm.

Teacher Support Materials:

Specially prepared teacher support materials to support each of the four missions in Tectonic Fury:

• Pre and Post Tests
• Data Sheets
• Lesson Plans
• A Special Teacher’s Edition
• Web links and other tools