Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman

A middle-aged African American man wearing glasses and a suit and tie sits at a desk covered in papers. He gestures at one of the papers with a pencil.

Charles Anderson in his office. Image courtesy of The University of Wisconsin—Madison Archives.

This single-period lesson will introduce students to an interesting historical figure in the field of meteorology and give students a chance to try their hand at meteorological forecasting. The lesson first focuses on Charles E. Anderson, Tuskegee Airman, then gives an overview of some physics and Earth science topics related to his work, before discussing how weather forecasts are conducted. Students then create a weather map based on radar, similar to the “new” style of forecasting that Anderson did in his time working with the Tuskegee Airmen. Students will learn how the Earth’s atmosphere works through an introduction to Charles Anderson.

Lesson Plan - Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman

Supplemental Materials

Powerpoint - Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman

Handout Answers and Discussion - Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman

Student Handout - Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman

Grade level(s)

6-8

Guide subjects

Earth Science

History

Physics

Minority Group(s)