Weather Watch

Science/Geography/Health and Safety

Students will research severe weather conditions that occur in their region of the country and develop guidelines to deal with natural disaster–related emergencies.

What You Need

• Access to the Internet and/or reference books containing information about natural phenomena such as floods, snowstorms, heat waves, and hurricanes.

What To Do

1. Form your class into small groups. Ask each group to choose a type of natural disaster to research. If possible, focus on those natural phenomena most likely to occur in your region. You may want to guide students to a Web site such as the Internet Disaster Information Network (http://www.disaster.net/disaster/huric.htm) to help them get started.
2. Have each group prepare a report that summarizes the causes and effects of the natural disaster they chose. They should explain where this type of event is most likely to happen, give examples of past occurrences, and outline ways in which people can prepare for and survive this type of emergency. Ask each group to present its report to the class.