Severe weather preparedness begins with education.
Often, high school earth science courses include a unit on severe weather or other meteorological topics. For public safety as well as for educational purposes, it is important for students to understand severe weather patterns. Reinforce reading and classroom instruction with activities that apply and practice the concepts of severe weather.
Weather Response Plans
Challenge students to prepare severe weather response plans. Importantly, have students develop different plans for different severe weather patterns, so that they think critically about the different kinds of weather hazards and the best methods of protection for each. Alternatively, have students review the school's existing response plans and critique these plans. Challenge the students to identify changes or improvements to the plan and to support their modifications with facts and information.
Emergency Kit
For a creative and fun class activity, have students prepare a severe weather emergency kit using objects in the classroom. Divide students into small groups and identify the severe weather emergency (e.g. hurricane or tornado). Give students time to discuss in groups their ideas for useful objects in the classroom. Then have each group present their kit to the class. As a class, discuss the best choices and explain why these objects would be effective or useful.
Severe Weather History
Have students learn the history of severe weather in the local community or state. Organize the class into small groups and assign each group a severe weather pattern. Instruct each group to research the weather pattern's effect on the school's city or state. For instance, have the group gather data about the frequency of the weather pattern, the most severe instance of the weather pattern and other relevant facts. This information can be gathered from meteorological websites and other online reference tools. Have students compile data and create a visual presentation to share with the class.
Fact or Fiction
As a class, view a movie or read a novel involving a severe weather disaster. For instance, watch the movie "Twister." Then discuss how realistic or factual the representation of the weather disaster is. Also, use the film or book to contextualize vocabulary or terminology. For instance, challenge students to identify the scenes in which a particular stage or phenomena is depicted.
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