Electricity (Concepts) Theme Page

Electronics (Circuitry) Theme Page

Magnetism Theme Page

Here are a number of links to other Internet resources which contain information and/or other links related to Lightning. Please read our disclaimer.

Bright Light Fright

View this section of the Franklin Institute (what would be more appropriate?) for information on the history and science of lightning. They also have a piece on lightning detection.

Design a Lightening Calculator

In this activity, students will learn how to predict lightening distances and discover why light travels faster than sound.

Fire Weather

The Alberta Ministry of Environmental Protection collects data on lightning strikes within the province and makes them available from this site both cumulatively and daily. They also describe their lightning detection system.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lightning

From Kerry Anderson of the Canadian Forest Service in Edmonton

Human Voltage: What Happens When People and Lightning Converge?

A readable news article from NASA that describes the incidence and impact of lightning strikes on the human body.

Kids' Lightning Information and Safety

Developed by a lightning strike victim, this site offers kids' information on lightning and lightning safety. Sabrina writes, "it really hurts when you are struck by lightning and I want to help other kids to learn more about lightning safety. I want to share what I have learned with you. I think that the more you know, the safer you can be."

Lightning

This instructional unit is part of the "Science With OAR" web site developed by the University of South Alabama. It consists of explanatory sections on lightning, student activity assignments, and links to other external lightning sites where students can collect the data to answer the questions.

Lightning and Atmospheric Electricity Research at the GHCC

Don't let the name scare you away from this NASA site. For a sound introduction to lightning (history, basics, safety, etc.) check out their "Lightning Primer." Then, to learn more about how NASA's space program is involved, read their section on Space Research and Observations.

Lightening in a Jar

Students create lightening in a clear plastic jar with a light bulb.

[The] Lightning Page

A very comprehensive site that contains basic explanatory information as well as photo and sound files. A lengthy index lists such sections as survivors, FAQs, myths, strike maps, safety and more. Note this site is actively sponsored by Christian Internet Services (CIS).

Lightning Photography

Over 150 photographs by Michael Bath.

Lightning Photography

Over 75 photographs of lightning strikes by Dave 'stormguy' Crowley. He also offers photography and safety tips.

Personal Lightning Safety

The Lightning Safety Institute offers advice on personal protection in outdoor recreational events, parks, swimming pools, boats, and in general. They also have other useful information.

Severe Storms: Online Meteorology Guide

Dangers, types and components of thunderstorms.

Sparks and Lightning

An article explaining sparks, lighting and conductive plasma.

[The] Strike

This site has pictures of what the owner advertises as the "closest 12 stroke lightning strike ever caught on video" as well as background information on the event. Included are also other pictures from professional stormchasers and links to related sites.

Strike One

This link is to an archive of over 25 lightning strike pictures taken by Michael Fewings whose goal is to combine artistry with lightning. See also his "current" photographs from this page and his tips on how to "avoid" being struck.

Thunderstorms

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency sponsors this "FEMA for Kids" site on thunderstorms/lightning. Children can read information specially developed for them on terminology, what lightning is, what if someone is hit by lightning, facts and fiction, photos, things to know, and what one might feel in a disaster.

TrackStar

TrackStar is an online interface which allows instructors to create lessons for students by sequencing existing instructional content in various web sites within a lesson. Students explore one topic at a particular location within one web site then move on to the next topic at another web site. The list of topics remains visible throughout the lesson so that students can remain on track. Explorations of the web sites beyond the designated instructional content are also possible.

This link is to their search page from where a keyword search on "lightning or thunder or storm" will produce numerous hits. Caution #1: Many of the web sites that these lessons access may already be on this CLN page - it's the creation of lesson objectives and the sequencing of the tours through the sites that make the lesson potentially useful to your students. Caution #2: The quality of the lessons (e.g., definining objectives, finding web sites, sequencing the tours) will vary widely within the TrackStar collection.

Weather Eye: Lightning

Student tutorials, experiments with static electricity, an interactive safety section, and a quiz for grades 5-9.

Note: The sites listed above will serve as a source of information about Lightning. For other resources in Sciences (e.g., curricular content in Earth, Life or Physical sciences, etc), or for lesson plans and theme pages, click the "previous screen" button below. Or, click here if you wish to return directly to the CLN menu which will give you access to educational resources in all of our subjects.