OpenSciEd 6.3, Lesson 3: Weather Balloon Data Task
Task
Use this Data Task during OpenSciEd Unit 6.3, Lesson 3. Tuva has digitized the static data tables in Part 3 to provide opportunities for students to deepen their ability to process and analyze data. This Data Task is not a standalone lesson. Use it in tandem with the OpenSciEd Teacher Edition to guide overall instruction and collaborative sensemaking. How it Fits into the Storyline In the prior lesson, students observed that temperatures near the ground are usually above freezing during hailstorms and wondered how it would be possible for ice to form in those conditions. During parts 1 and 2 of this lesson, students revisited these ideas, predicted that maybe temperatures higher in the atmosphere are cooler, and identified what data they'd need to find out if they are correct. Then, they watched a video about weather balloons. When to Use Tuva Following the video, during part 3, the original curriculum asks students to analyze printed data tables of weather balloon data. In this supplementary Tuva Data Task, students will also get the opportunity to explore the data using Tuva's interactive data tools. Students are able to engage with the data using multiple modalities, which helps them to make sense of and write about it. Give students time to look at the data in tabular format via a slide or physical handouts. Then, have students open Tuva. What Happens Next During Part 4, the scientist circle, students can use the data visualizations they have created during the Data Task to communicate about patterns they noticed. Tips The OpenSciEd teacher edition gives suggestions for orienting students to the dataset as a whole group. In our Data Task, Step 1 is designed to orient students to the dataset and case cards. Based on how much prior experience your class has with Tuva, you may opt to complete this step as a whole group, projecting the Tuva Data Task and dataset on your screen while students follow along.
At the beginning of this lesson, you identified what data you'd need to determine if the air up higher is colder than air at the ground. Your teacher showed you data tables with actual weather balloon data from five different locations. Now, you will get the chance to explore the data using the Tuva Tools. In this Data Task, you will... get to know the dataset and what it includes explore the data from one assigned location using the Tuva Tools look for and make notes about patterns in the data compare your findings with the findings of another group write a claim and support it with evidence
Topics and standards: Earth Science, MS-ESS2-5, MS-ESS2-6, MS-ESS2-4, MS-PS1-4, OpenSciEd, 3.2.6-8.B, 3.3.6-8.H, 3.3.6-8.I, 3.3.6-8.J