Weather vs Climate - Understanding the difference between weather and climate

The concepts of weather and climate are often thought to be the same thing. In this set of activities pupils will learn the difference between weather and climate by analysing different statements, by collecting and analysing their own air temperature data and in the end they will write a short climate report for the year 2050. Pupils will learn about data collection, different weather and climate scenarios, and their significance to the Earth.

Languages: English, Dutch, French, German teacher guide and student guide, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Slovenia

Subject: Mathematics, Science

Age: 8-12 years old

Keywords: Mathematics, Science, Climate, Climate Scenarios, Weather, Weather Elements

Learning objectives:

• Understand the difference between weather and climate

• Identify the elements and factors of climate (wind, temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall)

• Identify the world climatic zones by detecting some basic characteristics

• Compare weather and climate data

• Learn how to take and collect weather measurements

• Calculate the average weekly/monthly air temperature

• Interpret tables and graphs, and drawing conclusions

This classroom resource is part of a set of resources developed by ESA’s Education Office in collaboration with ESEROs to support the Climate Detectives project.

Learn more about the concepts of weather and climate and the role of space in studying changes to our planet in real-time and in the future in this episode of Meet The Experts with Andrew Shepherd of the University of Leeds, a leading climate scientist working with ESA and NASA.