Sunny With a Chance of StormsSunny With a Chance of Storms

Presented by Presented by

Joy Reeves Joy Reeves Judy Stellato Judy Stellato Mary Lynch Mary Lynch

AudienceAudience►Middle School Science and Math Middle School Science and Math

Teachers in Chicago, IL and Southwest Teachers in Chicago, IL and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago.Suburbs of Chicago.

Key ConceptKey Concept►The Effect of Solar Activity on the EarthThe Effect of Solar Activity on the Earth

Length of PresentationLength of Presentation►One HourOne Hour

Presentation GoalsPresentation Goals

** Give teachers a greater understanding Give teachers a greater understanding of how solar activity affects the earth.of how solar activity affects the earth.

►Give teachers practical and engaging Give teachers practical and engaging methods to teach this concept to their methods to teach this concept to their students and how this is relevant to students and how this is relevant to their students’ lives.their students’ lives.

►Provide teachers additional resources Provide teachers additional resources to supplement their lessons and their to supplement their lessons and their own learning.own learning.

Introduction/InvitationIntroduction/Invitation

►The sign on the door says “No cell The sign on the door says “No cell phones and no computers.”phones and no computers.”

►Teachers enter a dark room.Teachers enter a dark room.►Brainstorming about why we are in the Brainstorming about why we are in the

dark without communication.dark without communication.►Effects this can have on life as we Effects this can have on life as we

know it.know it.

Introduction to 1.1 Introduction to 1.1 The Case of Mysterious EventsThe Case of Mysterious Events

►Hand out newsflashesHand out newsflashes►Summarize the important points Summarize the important points ►Record events on the calendarRecord events on the calendar►Look for patternsLook for patterns►What do you think is happening?What do you think is happening?

Information SheetsInformation SheetsFor Activity 1.1For Activity 1.1

►Solar SurfaceSolar Surface►MagnetosphereMagnetosphere►Solar WindSolar Wind►Nuclear WeaponsNuclear Weapons►WeatherWeather►Unusual Lights in the SkyUnusual Lights in the Sky►SatellitesSatellites

Teachers will work in teamsTeachers will work in teams

►Review the Sheets Review the Sheets ►Take NotesTake Notes►Work collaboratively to decide on the Work collaboratively to decide on the

prime suspectprime suspect►Ask which suspect should be Ask which suspect should be

investigated moreinvestigated more►Evidence CircleEvidence Circle►Ask if they find it surprising that the sun Ask if they find it surprising that the sun

could cause such a disastrous effectcould cause such a disastrous effect

Student Spark ActivityStudent Spark ActivityTo be handed out the night To be handed out the night

beforebefore►Your assignment for tonight is to make Your assignment for tonight is to make

a list (minimum of 10 items) of a list (minimum of 10 items) of everything you or your household uses everything you or your household uses that needs electricity or batteries.that needs electricity or batteries.

►Rank these items according to Rank these items according to importance to you: Ranging from importance to you: Ranging from Number 1“You can’t live without it” to Number 1“You can’t live without it” to Number 5 “Can take it or leave it.” Number 5 “Can take it or leave it.”

Sun and Space Weather CDSun and Space Weather CD

►Show the information that teachers Show the information that teachers can gain from CD for use in their can gain from CD for use in their classroom.classroom.

►We will be giving copies of this CD to We will be giving copies of this CD to participating teachers.participating teachers.

Wrap UpWrap Up

►Key ConceptsKey Concepts►Further ResourcesFurther Resources►Copies of all black line mastersCopies of all black line masters