Dive deep into the intricacies of extreme weather phenomena with this data-driven lesson, employing authentic data from NOAA, Climate Data Online (CDO), and more. Students will embark on a journey to comprehend the multifaceted nature of extreme weather events, with a specific focus on excessive heat in Texas. Students create visualizations that showcase the profound effects of these weather anomalies, including tragic loss of life and damage to property.

Teachers get access to a comprehensive guide to facilitate students’ data explorations, emphasizing visualizations that are accurate and meaningful. Classroom discussions are encouraged, and the lesson includes best practices for approaching sensitive socioscientific topics, including the vulnerabilities different populations and environments face in the wake of these extreme events. Students are provided opportunities to extend their inquiries, investigating other meteorological events, regions, and metrics that illustrate the effects extreme weather can have on economies, communities, and individuals’ lives.