Welcome to the NWS Des Moines Education Page!
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This webpage was designed by NWS Des Moines to provide educational resources to teachers and parents. Much of this material is tailored to meet Iowa Core standards in science.
Please check back often as we will be frequently updating this page! Recent News:
Enjoy this website? Have a topic you would like us to add? |
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Tornadoes
Tornadoes can occur at anytime in Iowa, day or night. Per local research, the state of Iowa averages around 48 tornadoes per year. Below is a collection of resources to help keep you informed and as safe as possible from tornadoes!
Tornado Science
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| (Video) | (Website) | (Website) | (Website) |
Tornado Safety
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| (Website) | (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Printable .pdf) |
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| (Printable .pdf) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website- with downloadable/printable images) | (Website) |
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​NOAA Weather Partners: Get Weather Ready- Before a Tornado |
​NOAA Weather Partners: Get Weather Ready- During a Tornado |
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| (Video) | (Video) | (Printable .png) | (Video) |
Thunderstorms/Lightning
Severe thunderstorms and lightning impact Iowa every year, especially during the spring and summer months, and can cause significant damage and injury to people and property. Learn below about how thunderstorms are formed, what makes them severe, and how you can protect you and your family!
Severe Thunderstorms/Thunderstorms
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| (Video) | (Printable .jpg) | (Video) | (Printable .pdf) |
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NWS: Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning- A Preparedness Guide |
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| (20-pg Printable .pdf) | (Website- With Downloadable/Printable Images) | (Website) | (Infographic) |
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| (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) | (Activity- Website) |
Lightning Safety
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| (Website- With Downloadable/Printable Images) | (Website) | (Website) | (Website) |
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| (Website) | (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) |
Flooding/Flash Flooding
From river flooding to flash flooding, Iowa is impacted by floods every year. "Turn around, don't drown" is an important phrase to remember when it comes to flooding. Learn about flooding in Iowa and how to stay safe below!
Flooding/Flash Flooding Science
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| (7-pg Printable .pdf) | (Interactive Website) | (Website) | (Video) |
Flooding/Flash Flooding Safety
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| (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Video) | (Website) | (Website) |
Winter Weather
Winter weather preparedness is vital to keeping you and your family safe. From learning how snow forms, to what the NWS Wind Chill Chart means, you can find out this information and more from the resources below.
Winter Storms
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| (Website) | (Printable .pdf-color book) | (Printable .pdf) | (Video) |
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| (Video) | (Website of downloadable/printable .png) | (Website) | (Website) |
Extreme Cold
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| (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Video) | (Printable .jpg) |
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| (Website) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) |
Extreme Heat/Drought/Fire Weather
Below are resources on extreme heat, drought, and fire weather.
Extreme Heat
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| (Website) | (2-pg Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Video) |
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| (Printable .png) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) |
Drought
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National Integrated Drought Information System: "Drought in Iowa" |
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| (Interactive Website) | (Video) | (Website) | (Website) |
Fire Weather
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National Fire Protection Association: "Public Education: Teaching Tools" |
National Fire Protection Association: "Public Education: Teaching Tools" |
| (Video) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) |
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National Fire Protection Association: "Public Education: Teaching Tools" |
| (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) | (Website) |
Hurricanes
Hurricane Science
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National Hurricane Center: "Overview of the National Hurricane Center" |
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| (Website) | (Video) | (Video/Website) | (Video) |
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| (Website) | (Activity) | (Website) | (Website) |
Hurricane Safety
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| (Website) | (Website) | (Website) | (2-page printable .pdf) |
The Earth/Atmosphere
How Our Planet Works...
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| (Video) | (Video) | (Video) | (website) |
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| (Video) | (Website) | (2-pg. printable .pdf) | (Website) |
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| (Website) | (Website) | (Website) | (Website) |
Clouds
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| (website) | (26"x11" Chart .pdf) | (8 1/2" x 11" Chart .pdf) | (11 x 17" Chart .pdf) |
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| (Activity) | (Activity) | (Activity) | (Activity) |
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| (Activity) | (Video) | (Video) | (Video) |
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SciJinks: "A GOES-R Series Weather Satellite Gets Launched!" |
SciJinks: "A GOES-R Series Weather Satellite Gets Launched!" |
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| (Video) | (Printable .pdf) | (Video) | (Printable .pdf) |
Climate
Climate vs Weather, Global Climate
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| (Video) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Printable .pdf) |
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National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Regions |
| (Website) | (Website) | (Website) | (Website) |
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Oregon State University Ecampus: Climate Zones, Climate Change and Permaculture |
| (Website) | (Website) | (Website) | (Video) |
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NOAA ESRL: Basics of the Carbon Cycle and the Greenhouse Effect |
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| (Website) | (Interactive Website) | (Interactive Website) | (Interactive Website) |
Iowa Climate
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National Centers for Environmental Information: Iowa Climate Extremes |
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| (Website) | (Video) | (Website) | (Website) |
Other Activities, Resources, Etc.
Other Weather Education Resources
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| (Activity) | (Website) | (Website) | (Printable .pdf) |
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FEMA: Mitigation Ideas: A resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards |
NWS: Boy, Girl Scout Weather Merit Badge Checklist, Lesson Plan, Materials |
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| (Printable .pdf) | (Printable .pdf) | (Website) | (Website) |
Iowa Core Standards-Based Lesson Plans
Below are (printable) lesson plans designed to meet State of Iowa Core science standards.
Grade: (K-2); IA-K
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| K-ESS2-1 | (K-ESS2-1) Blank Calendar | K-ESS3-2 | (K-ESS3-2) Severe Weather Type Chart |
Grade: (3-5); IA-3
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| 3-ESS2-1 | (3-ESS2-1) Weather Graph | 3-ESS2-1 (#2) | 3-ESS2-1 (#3) |
Grade: Middle School (6-8); IA-8, IA-6
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| MS-ESS2-5 | MS-ESS3-2 |
Grade: High School (9-12)
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| NOAA: Data in the Classroom | NOAA: Climate Data Resources |
NWS Des Moines Weather Classroom
We love being able to interact with you all! These webinars provide the perfect opportunity for you to learn about an important weather topic while having the chance to ask one of our NWS Des Moines meteorologists questions directly! Below are video links to our previous live webinars. Enjoy!
Webinars
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NWS Des Moines Weather Classroom: Webinar #1 |
NWS Des Moines Weather Classroom: Webinar #1- Word Search- Blank |
NWS Des Moines Weather Classroom: Webinar #2 |
NWS Des Moines Weather Classroom: Webinar #2 |
| (Video) | (Printable .pdf) |
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