Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School

Science - The Atmosphere

Group 7

The Earth We Live On

The Earth is surrounded by a layer of gasses called the

atmosphere. This atmosphere is very important because it
helps protect life and makes it possible for us to live on Earth.

A Big Blanket

The atmosphere acts like a big blanket that keeps our planet
warm. It absorbs heat from the Sun and keeps it inside, which
helps the Earth stay warm. This is called the Greenhouse Effect.
The atmosphere also makes sure the Earth's temperature doesn’t
change too much between day and night, so we don’t get too cold
at night or too hot during the day.

One important part of the atmosphere is the ozone layer, which

protects us from the Sun’s harmful rays.

Weather and Climate

The atmosphere is also responsible for weather patterns and

climate. It helps move hot air around and creates different types
of weather, like rain, snow, and wind. This is important for life on
Earth because it helps plants grow and keeps our environment
healthy.

Air We Breathe

The atmosphere is the air that plants and animals need to

survive. It’s made mostly of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%).
There are also small amounts of other gasses, like carbon dioxide
and water vapor. Oxygen is what we breathe in, and carbon
dioxide is what plants use to make food through a process called
photosynthesis.

Layers of the Atmosphere

Scientists divide the atmosphere

into five layers:

1. Troposphere: This is the

lowest layer, where we live and
where most of our weather
happens.
2. Stratosphere: This layer is
above the troposphere and
contains the ozone layer.
3. Mesosphere: This is the
middle layer, where meteors burn up when they enter the
Earth’s atmosphere.
4. Thermosphere: This layer is very high up and is where the
northern lights happen.
5. Exosphere: The outermost layer, where the atmosphere
fades into space.

Greenhouse Effect

Some gasses in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide, trap heat

from the Sun. This natural process, called the Greenhouse
Effect, keeps the Earth warm enough for us to live. However, too
much of these gasses can lead to global warming, which can
cause problems for our planet.
 Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School

Science - Hurricanes

Group 6

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a massive storm that can extend up to 600 miles

across, with strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds
ranging from 75 to 200 mph. Each hurricane typically lasts over a
week and moves at 10-20 miles per hour over the open ocean.
Hurricanes draw heat and energy from warm ocean waters, and
evaporation from the seawater boosts their strength.

In the Northern Hemisphere, hurricanes rotate counterclockwise

around a central "eye," which is the calmest part with light winds
and fair weather. In the Southern Hemisphere, hurricanes rotate
clockwise. When hurricanes make landfall, they bring heavy rain,
strong winds, and large waves that can damage buildings, trees,
and vehicles.

How Do Hurricanes Form?

Hurricanes form only over very warm ocean water of 27°C or

higher. The atmosphere must cool quickly as altitude increases,
and the wind must blow consistently in the same direction and
speed to push air upward from the ocean surface. Winds flowing
outward above the storm allow the air below to rise. Hurricanes
generally form between 5 and 15 degrees latitude north and
south of the equator.

What is a Storm Surge?

Storm surges are often the most devastating part of a hurricane.
As a hurricane's winds spiral around the storm, they push water
into a mound at the center. When the storm reaches land, this
mound of water can cause significant flooding along the coast.
The surge is more severe in areas where the ocean floor slopes
gradually, leading to major flooding. The physical geography of
the coastline, wind, waves, and sea-level rise all contribute to the
storm-surge damage.

When Does Hurricane Season Start?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30,

with most hurricanes occurring during the fall months. The
Eastern Pacific hurricane season spans from May 15 to November
30.

How Are Hurricane Names Chosen?

Hurricanes are named from six alphabetical lists maintained by

the World Meteorological Organization. These names are rotated
every six years. The naming system helps meteorologists and the
public keep track of storms.

Why Do Hurricanes Have Names?

Names help meteorologists and the public track storms more

easily. An alphabetical system is used, with the first hurricane of
the season receiving a name starting with "A," the second with
"B," and so on.

Know the Lingo

 ● Tropical Storm Watch: Tropical Storm conditions with
sustained winds of 39-74 mph are possible within the next
36 hours.
● Tropical Storm Warning: Tropical Storm conditions are
expected within the next 24 hours.
● Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions with sustained
winds of 74 mph or greater are possible within the next 36
hours. This should trigger your family’s disaster plan and
protective measures.
● Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected
within 24 hours. Begin protective actions and decide the
safest location to be during the storm.
● Small Craft Advisory: Issued when winds are or are
expected to reach 25-38 mph, which is less than gale force
but still significant.

How Do You Prepare for a Hurricane?

Gather Emergency Supplies:

● Food, Water, and Medicine: Stock up on essentials.

● Go-Kit: Pack 3 days' worth of supplies that you can carry
with you.
● Stay-at-Home Kit: Prepare 2 weeks' worth of supplies.
● Medication: Have a 1-month supply in a child-proof
container.
● Important Records: Keep personal, financial, and medical
records safe.
 ● Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School
Science - Weather
● Group 7
●
What is the weather?
●
● Weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a specific place and time. It
can change from day to day and even hour to hour.
●
● Characteristics of Weather
●
● Weather is made up of several important elements that work together to
create the conditions we experience outside. Each of these elements plays a
crucial role in determining what the weather will be like. Understanding
these key characteristics helps us describe and predict the weather more
accurately.
●
● Key Characteristics of Weather
●
● Temperature
● Temperature tells us how hot or cold the air is.
● It is measured in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
Thermometers are tools used to measure
temperature.
●
Precipitation
● Precipitation is any form of water that
falls from the sky. Common types of
precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and
hail. The amount of precipitation is
measured using a rain gauge.
●
● Wind
● Wind is the movement of air from one place to
[Link] can be gentle (a breeze) or strong (a gale).
 The direction from which the wind blows is important and is measured using
a weather vane. The speed of the wind is measured using an anemometer.
●
●
● Clouds
● Clouds are made up of tiny water
droplets or ice crystals that float in the
sky. Clouds can tell us a lot about
upcoming weather. For example, dark,
thick
● clouds might indicate rain, while thin,
wispy clouds often mean fair weather.
●
● Humidity
● Humidity is the amount of water vapor (moisture) in the air. High humidity
means the air feels wet or sticky, while low humidity means the air feels dry.
Humidity is measured with a hygrometer.
●
● Atmospheric Pressure
● Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air above
us. It affects weather patterns, such as causing winds
and influencing storm development.
● Pressure is measured using a barometer.
●
● Weather Forecasting
●
● Weather forecasting is the process of predicting what the weather will be
like in the future. Forecasts can help people prepare for different weather
conditions, like bringing an umbrella for rain or dressing warmly for cold
weather. The weather forecast is typically provided by meteorologists. They
are trained scientists who study the atmosphere to predict weather
conditions.
●
●