Skip to main content

Derecho in Iowa 2020

A derecho is a widespread long-lived windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.

Location
Iowa

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

  • How might the derecho weather pattern differ from other common storms seen in the Midwest? (thunderstorms, tornados) 
  • What might be possible solutions to help fix the damage?
  • How was the Midwest affected more by this storm than other areas and why? 
  • What were some design solutions that reduced the impact of the derecho? Why did these work better than others?

Classroom Suggestions

  • Discuss similarities and differences in weather patterns in different seasons. 
  • Discuss experiences about how the students’ families were impacted.
  • Students can interview someone older about how they were affected by the derecho.
  • Teachers can use grade-level articles about solutions to derecho and students can discuss their effectiveness. 
  • Students can design their own solutions if another derecho were to happen. 

Related Resources

Iowa Core Alignment

3-5-ETS1-2:

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

Credit Info

Submitted by Anika Perry and Kai Johnson

REAPCorporation for Public BroadcastingAlliant EnergyMusco Lighting Pella