Lesson Overview
In 2011-2012, Maryland saw a record number of tornadoes touch down. (Ten touched down on June 1, 2012, alone.) The amount of wind and rain that these tornadoes brought caused damage to houses, apartment buildings and other structures. To prepare for a future in which severe weather events may become even more common, we need to better protect our homes.
In this lesson, students will learn about severe weather—like hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, heat waves and excessive rain, and they will use an online tool to develop weatherproofing solutions to protect homes. Throughout the lesson, students follow the engineering design process to meet this challenge.
Be aware that some students may live in mobile homes and could become especially alarmed by the possibility of a tornado or hurricane lifting their homes.
