Kolbs Learning Cycle

“weather is what you get” and “climate is what you expect.” “Weather” refers to the
more local changes in the climate we see around us, on short timescales from
minutes to hours, to days to weeks. Examples are familiar – rain, snow, clouds,
winds, thunderstorms, sleet, and hail.

“Climate” refers to longer-term averages (which may be regional or global) and can
be thought of as the weather averaged over several decades. 

Concrete experience:

a. Begin the activity by providing a brief introduction to weather and climate,

emphasizing their differences as mentioned earlier.

b. Divide the participants into small groups.

c. Assign each group a specific weather scenario, such as a sunny day, a rainy day, a
snowy day, or a windy day.

Reflective observation:

a. Instruct each group to discuss and observe their assigned weather scenario,
considering the key characteristics of weather, including temperature, precipitation,
wind speed, cloud cover, etc.

b. Encourage them to reflect on their personal experiences, memories, and perceptions

related to the weather scenario.

Active experimentation:

a. Distribute index cards or sticky notes to each participant.

b. Instruct them to write down three characteristics or factors that differentiate weather from climate,
based on the discussion and their understanding.

c. Ask participants to place their index cards or sticky notes under the appropriate column on the
whiteboard or chart paper.

Reflective observation:

a. Review the characteristics or factors listed under each column.

b. Engage the participants in a reflective discussion by asking questions such as: What patterns or trends
do you observe in the weather column?

How do they relate to the concept of short-term conditions?

What patterns or trends do you observe in the climate column?

How do they relate to the concept of long-term patterns?

How do the characteristics in the weather column differ from those in the climate