In this project area, youth explore the relationship between weather and climate while gaining an understanding of weather patterns, extreme weather events, and the scientific fields related to observing and studying both weather and climate. Youth will understand the various environmental systems that contribute to weather, including air masses, geographic features, bodies of water, and the relationship between the earth and sun.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Understand the terms and vocabulary related to weather and climate
- Understand the difference between weather and climate and how they relate to one another
- Learn the basics of how weather happens and what atmospheric and geographic elements influence weather
4-H Weather & Climate Science Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
4-H Weather and Climate Youth Learning Lab Leader’s Guide Digital Download
The 4-H Weather and Climate Learning Lab Leader’s Guide is a 71 page manual that helps leaders guide elementary school students through a hands-on learning experience in which they explore data, patterns, extremes, and forecasts to better understand weather and climate connections. Includes 9 activities that all show a content skill, the 4-H Life Skills, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the Climate Literacy Framework associated with the topic.
Weather and Climate Science Level 1
The 4-H Weather and Climate Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science, especially weather and climate. Level 1 introduces basic weather words and ideas. Activities focus on understanding the signs of weather, and youth will also begin to learn the difference between weather and climate and how these ideas are related.
Weather and Climate Science Level 2
The 4-H Weather and Climate Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science, especially weather and climate. Level 2 activities introduce youth to more complex weather topics, understanding climate, and making and using weather instruments.
Weather and Climate Science Level 3
The 4-H Weather and Climate Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science, especially weather and climate. Level 3 delves deeper into weather and climate science concepts, such as air masses, windchill and heat index, drought monitoring, and the sun-earth relationship, to prepare youth to be well informed and perhaps to study these topics at a college or university.
Weather and Climate Science Facilitator Guide
The 4-H Weather and Climate Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science, especially weather and climate. The Facilitator’s Guide is for all three levels. This guide contains activity facilitation and answers as well as a listing of the Next Generation Science Standards by activity.
Where do penguins live? Is the Arctic really ALL ice? Take a close look at the Arctic and Antarctica by learning more about their geography, glaciers and sea ice, and plants and animals. Have fun with hands-on activities, learn about related careers, and take an active role in protecting these beautiful and unique environments.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Science Toolkit: Climate – Cornell University Extension (PDF)
In this series of activities, children will explore the impact of weather and climate on humans, animals and plants and begin to understand what causes wind, snowfall, storms and other weather events.
Children will create construction paper snowstorms, indoor thunderstorms, learn how a tree stump can reveal the climate of a region and create an instrument to measure wind speed. By recreating these natural events, children experiment with the various factors that affect weather and climate – humidity, air pressure, temperature and elevation.
They will also learn how weather forecasters use tools like contour maps to predict snowfall and temperature and discuss how animals and plants adapt to changing weather conditions.
Educational Weather Bingo Game
4-H Lesson Plans – The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network
The lesson plans and activities below were developed for the 4-H Program. They have been aligned with National Science Education Standards (NSES) for grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-12.
Exploring 4-H Weather Spark Activity: Cloud Gazing – Illinois 4-H (PDF)
What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather describes daily conditions and climate describes long term averages of these moisture and temperature measurements. In Illinois, we live in a temperate climate with 4 seasonal changes. Other parts of the world have climate conditions such as tundra (cold and dry); tropical (warm and wet); or desert (cold or warm, but always very dry).
Project Idea Starter: Climate Change – Ohio 4-H (PDF)
Digital Learning: Weather Over Wild Walk – The Wild Center (video)
Join Field Correspondent Derek to become a citizen scientist using Globe Observer. Head out onto Wild Walk to learn all about clouds, including how to make your own cloud in a bottle. Observe the sky in your backyard, and become part of a project supporting NASA using Globe Observer.
Build a wind-powered car using a Ziploc® brand bag as the sail. You’ll learn about the engineering behind basic vehicles and how different components impact the overall functionality. Conduct experiments to see how distance, speed, and time are all related. How far can you make your car go? How fast did it get there? How long did it take?
4-H Friday Fun! Rain in a Jar – The University of Maine (YouTube video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Brittany Foster, 4-H Youth Development Professional (Washington County), and her son, Samuel, as they explore how rain leaves a cloud using everyday household items.
The PDF instructions are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Youth learn to be an Environment Protector through the science of snow! In this independent learning guide, youth can work on their own to learn how to keep our environment and themselves safe this winter by experimenting with salt and snow.
Rainbows – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn how rainbows form and observe them first-hand by creating some themselves.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Water Conservation Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
From Higher Education Institutions
Teaching Climate Change – Purdue University Climate Change Research Center
Teaching about climate change is challenging, yet essential. In a recent article published in American Educator, Purdue professors Daniel Shepardson and Andrew Hirsch outline five critical topics that students need to know and that every adult should understand.
Gardening in Our Warming World: Youth Grow! – Cornell University
Climate change activities for youth that empower instead of alarm.
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Real Time US Weather Data – American Meteorological Society
A Year in the Life of Earth’s CO2 – NASA (YouTube video)
An ultra-high-resolution NASA computer model has given scientists a stunning new look at how carbon dioxide in the atmosphere travels around the globe. Plumes of carbon dioxide in the simulation swirl and shift as winds disperse the greenhouse gas away from its sources. The simulation also illustrates differences in carbon dioxide levels in the northern and southern hemispheres and distinct swings in global carbon dioxide concentrations as the growth cycle of plants and trees changes with the seasons.
Climate Resource Collection – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SciJinks: It’s all about weather! – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
An interactive website from NOAA on weather phenomenon including videos, games, printables, and more.
Education – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The NOAA Education Portal is your one-stop shop to connect with learning and teaching resources about the ocean and atmosphere. Discover curricula, lesson plans, and real-time data to bring NOAA science into your classroom. Explore opportunities for educators and students of all levels. Apply for competitive funding for education projects.
Earth science resources, lesson plans, and interactive materials.
Real Time US Weather Data – American Meteorological Society
CLEAN – Committed to Climate and Energy Education
Free teaching resources for K-12-college level educators teaching about climate and energy.
What is Climate Change? Crash Course Climate & Energy (YouTube video)
We know that temperatures on Earth have fluctuated dramatically in the past, but we also know that by burning fossil fuels we are causing temperatures to rise faster than ever. In this episode of Crash Course Climate and Energy, we’ll introduce some core concepts that will help us throughout the series, like the difference between climate and weather, and take a look back through the Earth’s history at other periods of significant climate change.
The complete Crash Course Climate & Energy YouTube playlist can be found here.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network
An online guide to snowflakes, snow crystals, and other ice phenomena by Kenneth G. Libbrecht, physics professor at the California Institute of Technology.
Lightning Primer – Lightning Research at the Global Hydrometry Resource Center
Sea-Level Rise Curriculum – Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects
Sea-Level Rise in the Classroom is a four-module curriculum designed for high school teachers to introduce sea-level rise impacts and discuss community based solutions with their students.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Weather and Climate Science Curriculum Collection
4-H Mini Digital Hygrometer – Thermometer
Experience more accurate temperature and humidity readings in your home with this 4-H digital hygrometer thermometer. Keep tabs on climate conditions without stress or hassle.
The 4-H Clear 5” Rain Gauge accurately measures rainfall and sprinkler output accurately with dual metric/imperial readings. Durable plastic construction ensures reliable tracking in any outdoor environment. Check rainfall totals and irrigate wisely with the 4-H Clear Rain Gauge.