Lesson 9 - Understanding Atmospheric Moisture
Teacher's Guide

Targeted Instructional Objective: Understanding the influences of science underlying aspects of daily living

Content Focus: Connecting the collection of data to a processed end product of usable information.

Humidity is a measure of the amount of moisture in the air. Relative humidity, dew points, and Temperature Humidity Index calculations provide data which meteorologists evaluate to predict weather patterns

General Instructional Goal: Identify techniques associated with measuring moisture content in the air.

Students calculate relative humidity and dew points , identify the functions of hygrometers and psychrometers, and use the Temperature Humidity Index to determine comfort zones in humidity levels

Specific Outcomes:

Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to:
1) Identify the unique properties of water molecules in relation to temperatures
2) Distinguish between condensation and evaporation processes
3) Identify and apply humidity measurements to obtain applicable information
Lesson Content Instruction Processes
  • Set
 Topic Introduction: (Teacher defined)
  • Purpose
Identifying the significance of polarity in water molecules
Reviewing condensation and evaporation
Identifying the function of hygrometers and psychrometers
Recognizing the impact of humidity factors on climate and individuals
Suggested Strategies:
1) The teacher may wish the students to experiment with psychrometers made in the classroom after the lesson reading is completed.
  • Guided Practice
 Teacher may wish to read along with the students, pausing for questions.
  • Practice/Application
 Individual or small groups answer the worksheet questions.
  • Summary
Synopsis of material covered
Optional Strategies:
1. Whole group spot check of data answers.
  • Evaluation
 Recommended score of at least 85% on worksheet to ensure student readiness for subsequent lessons.

Necessary Materials:

  • Student worksheet
  • Internet Access to IEMP Website
  • Thermometers for wet and dry bulb measurements, if selected for activity

Supplemental/Cross Curricular Activities and Ideas

Hygrometer/ Psychrometer Experiment: Analyzing concrete applications of technology and data.

Small Group Hands-On-Data Collection of wet and dry bulb temperatures asks students to first build their own psychrometers and then use them to gather measurements. Small groups can see how closely their measurements match other groups, as well as how close they came to measurements reported by professional meteorologists.

Boiling Hot : Demonstrating Comfort Zones of Humidity

Whole class activity may get students a little steamed when they boil pots of water in the classroom, take period humidity measurements, and call for class votes to determine what percentage of the students begin to feel too hot at different humidity levels. Classroom averages can then be compared to the comfort zones indicated by the THI.

Humidity, Economy, and Life in General: Recognizing weather factors that impact broader issues

Individual or small group research project brings home the true significance of atmospheric moisture as students study the agricultural options and limitations defined by climates with low or high humidity levels, and evaluate how those options/limitations have influenced the economy of the region. Advanced students could further build these regional economic issues into "legal" proposals calling for Congressional aid, grants, or investigations.

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