Riding on the Clouds

A Cloud Identification WebQuest

Introduction

Look up and what do you see?   More than likely you will see clouds.
 Those with great imaginations may see more than just clouds, they may see horses and ducks!
    Scientifically we will just stick to clouds.  Horses and ducks are in a completely different science class!
You have just been hired as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Stanford, Kentucky. 
Your job is to observe and record the clouds that pass over Lincoln County day after day. 
Don’t get a crick in your neck!

Task

 Before you begin this job, you will have refresh your memory as to the cloud types along with the proper names for each. You are going to create a table to keep with you that contains all of the cloud types that you  will be observing , their descriptions and the weather they are forecasting.  Use Microsoft word and the internet sites below to create your Cloud table.

Get your instructions on how to create a table from your teacher.

Resources

Create your chart so that it looks something like this.

Browse these sites for the information and pictures to go into this table.  

Cloud Guide from UtahLINK
Weather Photography from Australia
S'COOL: On-Line Cloud Chart
Cloud Types: common cloud classifications
Cloud Boutique from the PSC Meteorology Program
Classification of Cloud Types a Classroom Activity from NASA
Identify Cloud Types from Western Michigan University
Cloud Catalog from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Cloud Identification from the University of Birmingham (England)
The Atmosphere Page from Meteorology Outreach 2000

Process

Use Microsoft Word to create a table that fits on one sheet with the 10 types of clouds listed in the sample table above.
Advanced Option: Use Microsoft Access to create a database on the 10 types of clouds that you have studied in class.
Be sure to include pictures in the assignment that you choose.

Learning Advice

 As you find the pictures and information in the above resources, insert them into your chart.  Get a handout from your teacher with specific directions on grabbing pictures from the internet and inserting them into your document if you need one.  Be as specific as possible, because this is the only chart that you will be able to take with you when you observe the clouds.

Evaluation

Use the rubric given to you by your teacher on how your Cloud Table will be evaluated.

Conclusion

Once your Cloud table is finished, make cloud observations everyday 3 times a day for a week (5 days).

Create a table with the following information in it for each day.

Use your Cloud Table as a reference guide.

Submit this table to your boss at the National Weather Service (in this case, your teacher)  for evaluation.

Maybe you will get a promotion (or in this case, an “A”)