Hurricanes

Lessons

Weather 1: Weather Patterns
K-2 | Hands-On
This lesson focuses on how the weather changes from day to day.
Hurricanes 1: The Science of Hurricanes
3-5 | Video
This lesson introduces students to the science of hurricanes in an effort to highlight how forces change the speed and direction of motion.
Hurricanes 2: Tracking Hurricanes
3-5 | Hands-On
This lesson examines the role of technology in identifying and tracking hurricanes.
Properties of Air
3-5 | Hands-On
This lesson demonstrates that air takes up space, and puts pressure, or pushes, on everything around it.
Robert Gardner: Teaching Scientific Inquiry
6-8 | Audio
In this lesson, students explore scientific inquiry by performing a hands-on activity about clouds by author Robert Gardner.
Air Masses
9-12
In this lesson, students develop an understanding of air masses and the role they play in weather and climate.

Tools

Animated guide: Hurricanes
3-8 | Website
Animated guides: Hurricanes is one of three animated guides to the world’s most devastating phenomena found on the BBC website.

Science Updates

Adaptive Happiness
6-12 | Audio
This Science Update examines how Hurricane Katrina survivors got over the trauma of the hurricane surprisingly quickly.
Hurricanes
6-12 | Audio
Hurricanes cycle through long periods of high and low activity.
Katrina Mental Health
6-12 | Audio
This Science Update looks at the mental health of victims of hurricane Katrina.
Cyclone Drift
6-12 | Audio
Cyclones have been peaking in intensity closer and closer to the poles over the last 30 years.

Videos

2010 BioBlitz BobCast 4: Mangroves
K-12 | Video
A Biscayne National Park Ranger working at the 2010 BioBlitz takes us on a tour of mangrove trees.

Collections

The Science of Weather
K-12
This collection focuses on different types of weather and the natural forces that cause them.

Other Resources

Forces of Nature: Hurricanes
Grade Band: K-12
Description: This National Geographic site offers information about hurricanes and some of the most costly natural disasters in U.S. history.

National Hurricane Center
Grade Band: K-12
Description: The National Hurricane Center tracks hurricanes and provides up-to-the-minute information about tropical storms.

Weather Whiz Kids: Hurricanes
Grade Band: K-12
Description: Created by a meteorologist, this site gives a lot of solid information about hurricanes, how they form, and the terminology used to describe them. Also offers links to supply checklists, evacuation tips, lesson plans, and related hands-on activities.

Ready.gov: Know the Facts: Hurricanes
Grade Band: K-5
Description: The federal government gives kids basic information on hurricanes and what to do before, during, and after they occur.

Web Weather for Kids: Hurricanes
Grade Band: K-12
Description: The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)'s Center for Science Education shares information on how and where hurricanes form, what storm surge is, and safety tips, among other resources.

Hurricanes
Grade Band: 3-12
Description: The NOAA's Weather & Atmosphere Education Resource section offers lessons, videos, real world data, career profiles, and more.

What Are Hurricanes
Grade Band: 5-8
Description: Part of the NASA Knows! series, this provides basic information on hurricanes, as well as related resources, on topics such as climate change, and information on the role NASA plays in hurricane research.