About the Course
Have you ever wondered how tornadoes form, why hurricanes grow so powerful, or what makes El Niño change the weather? In this course, we’ll explore the exciting world of meteorology—the science and math behind weather and climate! Together, we’ll track real storms, measure wind with digital tools, and test our ideas through fun outdoor activities and online discussions. We’ll discover how air pressure, wind, and lightning connect to create tornadoes, and how scientists use special scales to study hurricanes. We’ll also explore big systems like the jet stream and polar vortex to see how they shape our world. By the end of the course, you’ll think like a weather scientist: asking questions, testing ideas, and making sense of the forces that shape Earth’s weather every day.
Learning Objectives
- Accurately measure temperature, wind velocity, and sky conditions using digital tools (e.g., anemometers, thermometers), document findings with time references, and analyze patterns to explain local and regional weather dynamics
- Share data with peers, compare findings across locations, and engage in discussions to identify causes and effects of weather variations, using evidence-based reasoning
- Evaluate current weather events, use graphic organizers to compare them with historical data, and assess similarities and differences in atmospheric trends
- Analyze numerical data sets, perform calculations to detect changes over time, and generate predictions of future weather conditions supported by quantitative evidence
About Mini courses
Taught over 1-3 sessions, these short survey courses are designed to give students the opportunity to sample a topic, engage with a community of advanced learners, and take a course that suits their busy schedule.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
Online
You will be asked to join or sign in first.
Days: Every Tue for 4 weeks
Times: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Register by: February 17, 2026
Time Commitment:
Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].
Hold Peak Pro Anemometer HP-866B
(to measure wind velocity and temperature in Celsius and Fahrenheit)
(optional) The Weather Channel Infrared Thermometer
Time commitment: 2.5-3.5 hours per week (1.5 hours of class time, 1-2 hours of independent work). Course will include 3 sessions over 3 weeks.
Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid