Mr. Gary Vorwald, Chair, Science Department., Hurricane Research Assignment and Earthsmart Project

EarthSMART: Hurricane Research Assignment

Library Resources
Gale Student Resource Center Junior

Virtual Reference Collection

EBSCO General Science Collection

eLibrary Science

Science Reference Center
Proquest K12
Online Catalog
Academic Intergrity
NoodleTools Citations System
Citation Machine

Passwords are available in the Information Center

Objective: To learn about hurricane classification, tracks, and emergency preparedness.

Lab Research Questions: 

1) What is the track of the hurricane you chose to research?

2) How fast is the storm traveling and how can we predict the time it will arrive at a location?

3) What is the relationship between air pressure and wind speed in a hurricane?    

Directions: You may work in groups of two or individually. This Research Assignment will count as a test grade.  In this project, you will conduct background research to learn about hurricanes, how they are classified, and what emergency preparedness actions can be taken to reduce loss of life and property.  In addition, you are going to analyze real hurricane data to learn how they travel and discover the relationship between wind speed and air pressure.

First, research hurricanes using information center resources (library and Internet) in order to answer the questions below. Do a search on the world wide web for some sites on hurricanes that provide information that will help you answer the questions.  Then make observations about a current/recent hurricane or Hurricane Katrina, make a data table, and analyze the data by making graphs, plotting the hurricanes locations, and calculating its rate of travel.

Make sure to include the name and the URL of the sites used in your “REFERENCES.” You may also use print sources.  Cite the title, author, publisher, and date.

Your final report should include the following:

v  Cover

v  Background Research Questions

v  Table with Saffir/Simpson Scale

v  Observations: Hurricane Data Table & Tracking Map

v  Summary of Hurricane Irene

v  Hurricane Katrina Summary & Discussion

v  Graphics: Pictures of a hurricane

v  Conclusion

v  Evaluation

v  References Cited

Refer to the Scoring Rubric to make sure you include all aspects of the project.

 

EarthSMART: Hurricane Research Project

     I.  Background Research:

1.     What is a hurricane? How large are hurricanes?  How fast are the winds?

2.    How are hurricanes classified? What is the scale based on? Include a table of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Classification.

3.    Where do most hurricanes form?

4.    What is the difference between a hurricane warning and hurricane watch?

5.    What parts of the US are most at risk for experiencing a Hurricane?

6.    Describe the general path that most hurricanes travel.  Use historic hurricane tracks to help determine the path.

7.    Research emergency preparedness for hurricanes.  Describe and explain 6 - 10 actions that can be taken to protect citizens and communities from harm.

          II.   Hurricane Summary –prepare a summary about Hurricane Irene including       when it existed, how strong it was (category, wind speed, track), where it hit land,   damage caused, and casualties.  Include a summary of your experience with Irene.

          III. Hurricane Katrina Summary

          Research and write a summary about Hurricane Katrina in your own words.    Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August of 2005 and caused a tremendous amount of destruction. Describe the conditions, wind speed, storm surge, damage caused, and discuss why people were so poorly prepared for a  storm of this magnitude.

          What factors caused the most destruction and loss of life? Include information    about why New Orleans received so much damage, and what went wrong with their        emergency preparedness procedures.  What should be done differently in the      future?  (Don’t forget to cite your references).

          IV. Graphics: Print at eight photos or graphics of this hurricane and label.       Include variety such as a satellite photo of the hurricane, a diagram or map of its     path or predicted path, and photos of damage caused.

          V.  Conclusion: Write a conclusion paragraph that describes some of the
major concepts that you learned about hurricanes and emergency preparedness.  Include an aspect that particularly interests you.  Make sure to answer and refer to the Lab Research Questions at the beginning of this assignment.

          VI. Evaluation: Discuss how graphing the data helped you discover relationships between weather data more than just using a data table? How did this activity help you learn about hurricanes and how meteorologists make predictions? Describe other studies that can be done to better understand  hurricanes. Explain why people often do not follow orders to evacuate, and the dangers that often occur when they don’t. 

          VII.   References Cited: Use the MLA format to record your references. Include proper format for websites and published sources.

 

EarthSMART

Earth Science class component

Hurricane Katrina Lab

(This will include making observations of the location of the hurricane and analyzing the data)

Part A: Observations & Analysis of Hurricane Katrina Track:

Ø  Plot the locations of Hurricane Katrina for two times for each day. Label the date next to every other point. Draw arrows to indicate direction of movement.

Ø  Describe the path or track of this hurricane.

1.  Rate of Movement

Calculate the rate of movement of this storm over the two day period.

2. Predict when and where the hurricane will make landfall.

3. Calculate Percent Deviation

4. Part A Analysis Questions

Part B: Graph Analysis:

Ø  Review the data in the data table. Use the Saffir-Simpson scale to determine the type of storm for each date/time. Record your data.

Ø  Construct a double line graph comparing wind speed and pressure vs. date.

Ø  Analysis Questions: Describe the relationship between air pressure and wind speed