Abstract:
This investigation focuses upon El Niño and its effect on global weather. Specifically, we will investigate the correlation between El Niño and precipitation in different cities around the world.

 

Outcome:
Activities will enable learners to understand that El Niño is a climate event which starts in the tropical Pacific Ocean and effects atmospheric and oceanic changes far beyond its point of origin.
Objectives:

1. Use Internet resources to determine dates of past occurrences of El Niño.
   
2. Graph the frequency of El Niño events in geologic history.
3. Collect and graph data to correlate El Niño occurrences with precipitation in various cities.
   
4. Compare your findings to other studies on El Niño.

 

Suggested Grade Level & Duration:

Grades 5-8; 2 to 3 fifty-minute periods.

Materials:
Internet-capable computer with printer, graphing software or graph paper or graphing calculator, paper WorkSheet 1, Worksheet 2, Worksheet 3, and pencil.