Simplifying Space Weather for Students - A Cross Curricular Resource for all Middle School Students

Local events occurring on the sun and their impact on Earth and other celestial bodies within the solar system are referred to as space weather. As societal reliance on electronic communication increases, our vulnerability to the effects of space weather on daily life correspondingly escalates. Yet there is little readily accessible information tailored to the average middle school student. This paper outlines the content and methodology for the development of an interactive web resource, designed to be compatible with prevalent assistive technologies. The resource aims to demonstrate the frequency of space weather events and the infrequency with which they disrupt our lives, due to existing natural protective environments. This resource will be interdisciplinary, addressing not only the scientific and technological consequences of these events, but also the social and societal ramifications associated with at least ten of the most frequently referenced occurrences.