Computer Lab Activities
Extreme Weather: A Math Hunt Activity
This activity puts students’ online research and math skills to the test by asking five questions about hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and more.
- Grades: 3–5, 6–8
In “Extreme Weather” (grades 5–8), students go on an online fact-finding mission to answer five multiple-choice, math-related questions about severe weather, including earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
Sample question:
Take a look at the windchill table. Which one of these statements is true?
- As the wind speed increases, the windchill temperature increases.
- As the wind speed increases, its relative effect on the wind chill temperature decreases.
- An increase in wind speed (mph) is exactly equal to the decrease in temperature (degrees Fahrenheit).
In addition to challenging students’ reading comprehension skills, “Extreme Weather” tests these “math hunting” skills:
- Addition and Subtraction
- Charts and Graphs
- Converting Units of Measurement: Converting Units of Time
- Decimals and Percentages
- Multiplication and Division
- Ratio and Proportion
Learning Objectives
By participating in Math Hunt, students will:
- Practice problem-solving skills from the grade 5–8 math curriculum
- Explore topics from the grades 5–8 science and social studies curriculum
- Learn basic Internet research skills
- Develop an understanding of the construction of standardized test questions and multiple-choice answers
Related Resources
Students set out on fact-finding missions that test math skills, provide practice researching on the Web, and boost reading comprehension.
- Subjects:Addition and Subtraction, Charts and Graphs, Fractions and Decimals, Logic and Problem Solving, Multiplication and Division, Ratio, Proportion, Scale, Real-World Math, Word Problems, Seasons and Weather, Weather, Weather Forecasting
- Skills:Research Skills
