Education
Weather Station
What happens?
Station 1 helps to explain the familiar or unfamiliar weather terms using a synoptic weather chart and an on-screen lesson using diagrams and symbols.
Station 2 gives up-to-date information about weather conditions and weather phenomena throughout the world. Visitors navigate through the globe where there are a number of hot buttons linking to weather websites.
Station 3 allows visitors to watch a weather broadcast clip and explore what goes into making a TV broadcast. You can also select a map and broadcast script to devise your own weather report by filling in the blanks from the given menu. The completed broadcast can be saved under a username and password then made available to be recorded by the visitor at the ‘Weather Studio’ exhibit.
How does it work?
Visitors follow on-screen instructions and use the track ball driven cursor to navigate through the options available.
Why is it important?
The visitors gain fundamental knowledge and understanding of the basic weather patterns and how they are translated into the lines and symbols on a typical weather map. It also introduces the user to playing the role of a TV weather presenter.
How does it relate to the primary curriculum?
LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
KS2 Reading
- begin to be aware of how different media present information, ideas and events in different ways, for example, compare accounts in different newspapers;
- justify their responses logically, by inference, deduction and/or reference to evidence within the text, for example, compare and contrast two characters in a story or history text;
- reconsider their initial response to texts in the light of insight and information which emerge subsequently from their reading;
- reconsider their initial response to texts in the light of insight and information which emerge subsequently from their reading;
THE WORLD AROUND US
- reconsider their initial response to texts in the light of insight and information which emerge subsequently from their reading;
Geography
- Comparisons between the local area and a contrasting place, for example, weather, transport, landscape features.
How does it relate to the post-primary curriculum?
Literacy
- using a range of techniques, forms and media to convey information creatively and appropriately
- writing and presenting in different media and for different audiences and purposes;
- talking to include debate, role-play, interviews, presentations and group discussions;
- Investigate the importance of communication skills in life/work situations, for example, participate in interviews and self-marketing; develop an advertising campaign for a local company or product; investigate jobs in companies in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in which good communication is essential to business etc. (Key Element: Employability)
What thinking skills are involved?
Creative thinking skills, enquiry skills and information-processing skills
What learning styles are involved?
Visual/ spatial, verbal/ linguistic, interpersonal and intrapersonal