Composition of the Earth's Atmosphere:

Students take a journey back in time to what the Earth's early atmosphere might have been composed of and compare it to the atmosphere of today.

Students analyze the different cycles of nature( oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide cycles), and their relationship with the atmosphere.

Structure of the Earth's Atmosphere:

Students will study the different layers of the modern day atmosphere. They will explore major differences, and/or likenesses, and how each plays a part in the overall structure and function of the atmosphere itself.

Heat and the atmosphere:

In this area of study, students will explore the suns huge influence as the driving force of the Earth's climate.

Students will examine how solar radiation, absorption, and reflection of the sun's rays interact with the life forms of the planet.

Students will examine the Earth's greenhouse effect and the possible side effects of pollution if left unchecked in the next century.

Global and local wind systems:

Students will be learning about the different types of instrumentation that are used to study winds wind speed, air pressure, humidity, Etc...

Students will be able to examine our local wind systems, while learning about global wind patterns like the trade winds, prevailing easterlies, prevailing westerlies, doldrums, horse latitudes, and the coriolis effect.

Clouds:

Students will analyze different types of clouds, how they form, composition, and weather patterns that are associated with each type of cloud.

Fronts and Air masses:

Students will learn about the different types of major air masses, their characteristics, composition, and movement.

Students will analyze the characteristics of warm , cold , stationary , and occluded fronts.

Weather forecasting:

Students will study how clouds, air masses, barometric pressure, and temperature can be used in predicting the weather.

Severe storms and weather:

In this area of study, students explore the mechanisms of thunderstorms, lightening, tornadoes, and hurricanes.