The lesson explains the forces that cause thunderstorms, including convection and updrafts. It also explains the three main stages of a thunderstorm, and what makes a severe thunderstorm different from a normal thunderstorm. Finally, the lesson explains thunderstorm watches and warnings, and safety rules for a thunderstorm. 

There are several links in the lesson that will let students visit other web sites that are related to thunderstorms. Among the links are the National Weather Service, the National Severe Storms Prediction Center, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

Quiz: 
The lesson has an online quiz to test student's knowledge about thunderstorms. The quiz is graded online and results are e-mailed to the teacher. 

Activities: 
This lesson has two activities. The first is a simple exercise that challenges students to write down the thunderstorm recipe. This gives them a chance to review the lesson again, and think about the forces and events that cause thunderstorms. 

The second activity asks students to research one of the topics in the lesson but not explored, like Doppler radar or convection. Students are asked to apply their research to making a new page for Thunderstorms: A Recipe. If the student has training or the necessary skills, he or she can make an operational web page and post it, complete with links and pictures. Students who make a web page can borrow titles and images off our lesson. 

Students who aren't able to code a web page can write out their web page in a short report format. They should include descriptions of the pictures they would use, or draw a reasonable facsimile to be included.
 

• To teach students about thunderstorms
• To teach students about the dangers of thunderstorms and about thunderstorm safety
• To have students practice researching topics
• To give students a chance to plan or create a web page.