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In the fall of 2024, two SDSP teacher leaders, Kim Klinko and Joyce Yang, set out to create curricular resources inspired by our TRC led by researcher and Scripps Institution of Oceanography Graduate student, Alexander Weyant.
Below are their reflections on the experience.
A middle school approach by Kim Klinko:
Creating lessons that resonate with students is both an art and a science, and “Wind, Rain, and Fire” embodies that balance. This two-day lesson set, designed for middle schoolers, unpacks a real-world phenomenon: the 2017 Thomas Fire in Southern California, intensified by Santa Ana winds. For students in San Diego County, these winds aren’t just abstract concepts—they’re lived experiences, making this lesson both engaging and meaningful.
The Process: Bridging Research and the Classroom
The inspiration for these lessons came from the Teacher/Researcher Collaborative (TRC) at Birch Aquarium, where I learned about Alexander Weyant’s research on Santa Ana wind events. Pairing this with a practical data-analysis routine from Alec Barron, I aimed to address a common challenge: helping students analyze and interpret data effectively. By using real weather data from local stations, students can explore how these winds intensify wildfires, fostering a connection between science and their community.
Why This Content Matters
Weather phenomena like the Santa Ana winds directly impact students' lives, making it a natural choice for teaching. Incorporating real research into the classroom not only grounds lessons in authenticity but also introduces students to the scientific process, showing them the relevance of STEM in their world.
Hopes for Teachers and Students
For teachers, I hope these lessons showcase how approachable and adaptable analyzing data routines can be. They’re not just for this lesson—they’re tools to use across disciplines, helping students make sense of complex information. For students, my wish is that they feel empowered by exploring phenomena that are engaging and relevant to their lives.
A 5th grade Approach by Joyce Yang:
The Santa Ana Winds are a familiar yet often misunderstood phenomenon for Southern California residents. To help young learners grasp the science behind these winds, I developed a two-session lesson, “Wind, Rain, Fire: Why Does Southern California Have Santa Ana Winds?” Tailored for 5th-grade students, this engaging lesson connects classroom learning with cutting-edge research, offering students a chance to analyze real-world data from weather stations and challenge common misconceptions about the winds’ causing heat and dryness.
The Process: Bridging Research and Pedagogy
The idea for this lesson took root during my participation in the Teacher/Researcher Collaborative (TRC) at Birch Aquarium in October. At the event, Alexander Weyant, a graduate researcher from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, shared his insights into weather patterns, supported by data from weather stations. Inspired by Alexander’s research, I partnered with him, along with education professionals, Alec Barron and Kim Klinko, to transform this complex topic into a student-friendly format.
The lesson was built around the Analyzing and Interpreting Data Routine, a structured approach that empowers students to draw conclusions from authentic scientific data. Visual data sets from Alexander’s research play a central role, fostering connections between real-world weather phenomena and classroom learning. By grounding the lesson in a locally relevant topic, students can relate their personal experiences with the winds to scientific concepts, deepening their understanding.
Why Santa Ana Winds?
The Santa Ana Winds were chosen for their relevance to Southern California students. Many have felt their effects—warm, dry gusts sweeping through the region—but misconceptions abound. This lesson uses data and analysis to guide students toward a more accurate understanding, fostering both curiosity and clarity.
Inspiring Curiosity and Inquiry
At the end of this two-day lesson, students will understand and explain the causes of Southern California’s Santa Ana Winds using evidence and data. I hope it sparks curiosity, encouraging students to explore natural phenomena and use data to understand the world. For teachers, the goal is to provide a practical, resource-rich framework and integrate real-world expertise, inspiring both educators and students to value scientific inquiry and data analysis.
Check out the draft lessons: