Wondering whether the weather will be wild or mild? Questioning cloud cover? Feeling the pressure? Or perhaps you are interested in a fabulous career in meteorology…if so, this course is for you! We will learn how people predict the weather with simple tools and advanced equipment. Join us for a whirlwind of atmospheric adventure!

How to get the most out of Weather with MacBeth Derham:

• First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

• Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

• Read assignments before class meetings

• Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

• Do the assignments, quizzes, and try the (optional) labs.

• Once the course is completed to the parent's satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

• Record the student's grade.

Total classes: 12

Duration per class: 45 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade (older students welcomed to join us)
Suggested credit: 1 full semester General Science or Earth Science

Instructor: MacBeth Derham

Course description: Students will study all aspects of weather prediction, including basic weather maps, temperature, pressure, humidity, visibility, wind speed, and more. Students should have access to weather forecasts on radio or TV, online, or in a newspaper. Some simple weather contraptions may be built for demonstration labs.

Course outline:

Class 1: Introduction to meteorology
Class 2: The anatomy of air
Class 3: Air has weight/isobars
Class 4: Weather patterns
Class 5: Fronts and masses
Class 6: Warm fronts/Cold fronts
Class 7: Line Squalls and weather maps
Class 8: Wind
Class 9: Clouds
Class 10: Stormy weather
Class 11: Other atmospheric changes
Class 12: Climate

Course materials: Eric Sloane’s Weather Book ISBN: 9781684115785

Homework: Each week after class, students will take notes on a local weather forecast, and compare the actual weather later in the week, and be prepared to discuss in class (on mic or in chat). Light weekly reading in the text, and weekly quiz graded automatically for immediate feedback. Expect to spend between 1 and 1 ½ hours on homework per week.

Technical Help: If you have any technical trouble or questions about course content, please email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

©2024 Homeschool Connections and MacBeth Derham. All rights reserved. This course is designed by MacBeth Derham.

• This material is only to be used for its intended purpose by active subscribers of Homeschool Connections. Any other use without explicit permission is in violation of the seventh commandment (yes, the 7th commandment) and in violation of US and International copyright laws.

• You may print or download to local hard disk extracts for your personal homeschool and non-commercial use only. This is not to be used for homeschool co-ops without express written permission from Homeschool Connections.