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Clearer learning with the Met Office

MET OFFICE News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 16 April 2009

A new, interactive education section has been launched on the Met Office website to support teachers and help pupils learning about weather and climate change.

The refreshed web pages have been split into three sections for kids, teens and teachers to match the needs of each age group. They have been designed with the help of teachers and are more engaging, easier to navigate and provide clearer content.

Mark Gibbs, Education Business Manager for the Met Office said: "We have worked closely with teachers to develop our education pages to suit their needs. The three areas are designed to be simple and clear to use, both as part of a lesson or by children exploring the web for themselves"

Younger children can meet the 'Weather Explorer' who will help them learn about the weather and provide them with amazing facts. There are also games to play and experiments to try both at home and in the classroom.

For teenagers, in-depth case studies on severe weather events provide greater information on the weather and also its impacts on people and places.

New worksheets and presentations for primary and secondary pupils have been designed to support the National Curriculum for England, which means that teachers will find it easier to incorporate weather and climate change into lesson plans. Covering elements of the geography, science and maths curriculum all of the material can be downloaded free of charge.

ENDS

For further information contact Met Office Press Office 01392 886655 or email pressoffice@metoffice.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

* The Met Office is the UK's National Weather Service, providing 24x7 world-renowned scientific excellence in weather, climate and environmental forecasts and severe weather warnings for the protection of life and property.
* The Met Office services for education are funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
* The new education pages can be found at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/education/