Teaching Guide: Meteorological Forecasting like a Tuskegee Airman
This lesson will introduce students to Charles E. Anderson, discuss how weather forecasts are conducted, and give students a chance to try their hand at meteorological forecasting.
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.
Grade level(s): 6-8
Guide subjects: Earth Science, History, Physics
Minority Group(s): African-American
In-class time: 45-55 minutes
Prep time: 10-15 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access required, Student web access not required
Common Core Standards: Speaking & Listening, Language, Science & Technical Subjects
Next Generation Science Standards: Earth and Space Sciences, Earth and Human Activity