An Example of Using Existing Local Data to Teach Basic Principles of Weather Observation and Prediction

Many K-12 classroom exercises include modeling to teach the complex topics of weather and climate. These simplified models enable better comprehension of the basic concepts within the topic, but do not leave the students with any tools to see the concepts work out in real-life situations.
In the presentation, an example is given using existing locally available web-based data to teach basic principles of weather observation and prediction in the classroom. These sets of data will be readily available to the students and will lead the students toward extracurricular learning.
The focus will be on the different aspects of weather in Las Cruces New Mexico and El Paso Texas. We will draw from several resources including the OrganMountainWeather YouTube Channel, local CoCoRaHS observations, weather balloon data from the National Weather Service in El Paso, data from local weather stations, and satellite data.
We will present the best ways to find data in your area and to demonstrate the use of this web-based data that is available. We will also provide an excerpt of a 6th-grade lecture using this method to explain the concept of a monsoon using the PressureNet Android app, the OrganMountainWeather timelapse camera and the CoCoRaHS data before during and after the monsoon season in the El Paso / Las Cruces area.