The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Exploring Weather Patterns with Code

Exploring Weather Patterns with Code

A 3rd grade STEM lesson

Alexis Wilson

Date 6/24/24

Notes for teachers

You will need to have an understanding of code.org and a little experience with block coding to teach this lesson. I suggest going on code.org and playing around or watching some videos before teaching this lesson. Students will struggle with the blocks at first especially if this is their first time using it.

List of Materials

Materials Needed:

• Computers or tablets with internet access
• Code.org accounts for each student
• Whiteboard and markers

Standards

Science Standard 3.E1U1.4: Construct and interpret data and observations to describe patterns in physical phenomena.

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Standards

Technology Standard 3.DI.2: Use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions.

Objectives:

Students will learn about weather patterns and basic coding concepts by creating a simple weather simulation using Code.org. This lesson integrates Science and Technology and aligns with the Arizona State Standards for 3rd Grade.

Agenda

Introduction (Day 1) 10 Minutes

Activity part 1 (Day 1) 20 Minutes

Activity part 2 (Day 2) 30 Minutes

Wrap up/ close (Day 2) 10 Minutes

Note: My class periods are only 40 minutes so I break this lesson up over 2 days.

Note: This lesson is going to take a lot of patience and modeling. Some students will pick it up quickly and others will struggle. But it is so worth it all when they get it to work. It is a really fun lesson.

Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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Driving Question: How can we use coding to simulate and understand different weather patterns?

Engage:

• Begin with a brief discussion about weather. Ask students about different types of weather they have experienced.
• Show pictures of various weather conditions (sunny, rainy, snowy, stormy, etc.).
• Ask students to identify patterns they notice about different types of weather.

Explain:

• Introduce the concept of weather patterns and how scientists use data to predict the weather.
• Explain that students will use Code.org to create a simple weather simulation

Hands-on Activity Instructions

Guided Practice:

• Log in to Code.org and navigate to a beginner-friendly coding activity, such as an Hour of Code puzzle related to weather or a basic animation tutorial.
• Demonstrate how to use block coding to create simple actions (e.g., making it rain or snow on the screen).

Individual Practice:

• Allow students to complete a few coding puzzles individually to get comfortable with the interface.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Plan:

• Ask students to choose a type of weather they want to simulate (e.g., sunny day, rainy day, snowy day).
• Have students think about what visual elements they need to include (e.g., sun, clouds, raindrops, snowflakes).

Coding:

• Students log in to Code.org and start a new project.
• Guide them through creating their weather simulation using block coding.
• Encourage students to use loops, conditionals, and basic animations to make their simulation realistic.

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

Conclusion and Sharing (10 minutes)

1. Wrap-Up:
• Let students share their weather simulations with the class by showing their screens.
• Discuss the different types of weather patterns they simulated and what they learned about coding and weather.
2. Reflect:
• Ask students what they found fun or challenging.
• How did coding help them understand weather patterns better?

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Assessment

Formative: Observe students' progress during the coding activity and provide help as needed.

Summative: Evaluate the weather simulations based on creativity, accuracy of weather representation, and functionality of the code.

Differentiation

Scaffolded Instructions: Break down instructions into smaller, manageable steps and provide examples.

Guided Support: Provide additional guidance and support through individual or small group assistance.

Step-by-Step Checklist: Provide a checklist to help students keep track of their progress and understand each step.

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Students can create more complex weather simulations, including transitions between different types of weather.

Incorporate math by having students track and graph weather data for a week and then simulate the weather patterns they observed.