Map It Out!

Materials

• Large world map, centered on Pacific Ocean
• Individual world maps, for student use - same as above
• Globe
• Pencils, pens, markers, etc.
• Reference materials

Teach It!

Before you start, get some more resources on El Nino. Search the web for background information and obtain maps. One great resource is El Nino and Climate Prediction, a publication produced by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This publication is the Spring 1994 No. 3 edition of the series Reports to the Nation.

1. Separate students into groups of two or three. Using pictures and maps found in references, plot on world maps information that includes at least the following:
   • sea-surface temperature pattern during a weak El Nino year, a strong El Nino year, and a normal year.
   • high and low air pressure areas during a weak El Nino year, a strong El Nino year, and a normal year.
   • patterns of movement of jet stream during a weak El Nino year, a strong El Nino year, and a normal year.
   • patterns of movement of currents during a weak El Nino year, a strong El Nino year, and a normal year.
2. Students or teacher may choose how the data is presented. For example, it can be separated with a different map for each year and topic; one map for each topic that is color-coded to represent different years; or one map for each year, color-coded to represent different topics.
3. Compare and contrast the maps. Report (orally or written) the similarities and differences based on the information on the maps, not on the cause or effect.