1. Sunny With a Chance of Storms Presented by Joy Reeves Judy Stellato Mary Lynch

2. Audience ► Middle School Science and Math Teachers in Chicago, IL and Southwest Suburbs of Chicago. Key Concept ► The Effect of Solar Activity on the Earth Length of Presentation ► One Hour

3. Presentation Goals *Give teachers a greater understanding of how solar activity affects the earth. ► Give teachers practical and engaging methods to teach this concept to their students and how this is relevant to their students’ lives. ► Provide teachers additional resources to supplement their lessons and their own learning.

4. Introduction/Invitation ► The sign on the door says “No cell phones and no computers.” ► Teachers enter a dark room. ► Brainstorming about why we are in the dark without communication. ► Effects this can have on life as we know it.

5. Introduction to 1.1 The Case of Mysterious Events ► Hand out newsflashes ► Summarize the important points ► Record events on the calendar ► Look for patterns ► What do you think is happening?

6. Information Sheets For Activity 1.1 ► Solar Surface ► Magnetosphere ► Solar Wind ► Nuclear Weapons ► Weather ► Unusual Lights in the Sky ► Satellites

7. Teachers will work in teams ► Review the Sheets ► Take Notes ► Work collaboratively to decide on the prime suspect ► Ask which suspect should be investigated more ► Evidence Circle ► Ask if they find it surprising that the sun could cause such a disastrous effect

8. Student Spark Activity To be handed out the night before ► Your assignment for tonight is to make a list (minimum of 10 items) of everything you or your household uses that needs electricity or batteries. ► Rank these items according to importance to you: Ranging from Number 1“You can’t live without it” to Number 5 “Can take it or leave it.”

9. Sun and Space Weather CD ► Show the information that teachers can gain from CD for use in their classroom. ► We will be giving copies of this CD to participating teachers.

10. Wrap Up ► Key Concepts ► Further Resources ► Copies of all black line masters