A fascinating, full-color introduction to the earth science happening over our heads, packed with STEM experiments and science-minded research projects that invite kids ages 12 to 15 to explore the wonderful world of meteorology through real-world connections!
Take a look out your window. What's the weather like today? Has it changed much from morning to afternoon? What is the difference between weather and climate? In The Science of Weather and Climate: Rain, Sleet, and the Rising Tide, middle schoolers learn the science behind why it snows, how wind is formed, what makes one region hot and dry and another region cold and damp, plus lots more! By studying the atmospheric sciences of meteorology and climatology, kids learn to connect the weather they experience on a daily basis in their town with the changing conditions across the entire planet.
• The activity in our atmosphere plays a critical role in our lives and in the health of our planet. Today's weather determines what clothes you wear and what you are going to do after school, while the local climate influences what kind of car your parents drive, what kind of house you live in, and-believe it or not-what foods you eat!
• Readers learn that the difference between weather and climate is a difference in measurement-weather is measured on a daily, even hourly basis, while climate is observed across decades and even centuries. As the planet warms, these changing climate conditions cause a rise in extreme weather events across the planet and create the need for a new understanding of how human behavior affects the atmosphere and, eventually, our own environments.
• Science-minded STEM activities such as creating your own barometer, testing the effects of air pressure, and tracking the effects of uneven heating on the earth's surface encourage young readers to think like scientists while critical thinking exercises, essential questions, fascinating facts, links to online resources, and more encourage readers to explore this incredible planet.
