Tools of the Trade - Using the Mesonet data
OVERVIEW: Weather is a condition of the atmosphere and meteorologists are scientists who use instruments to gather data in order to study and then forecast the weather.
CONNECTIONS TO THE CURRICULUM: Science
STANDARDS:
SC-P-EU-S-3
Students will observe weather conditions and record weather data over time using appropriate tools (e.g., thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge, etc.)
SC-P-EU-S-4
Students will use weather data to describe weather conditions and make simple predictions based on patterns observed (e.g., daily, weekly, seasonal patterns)
GEOGRAPHIC SKILLS:
Acquiring Geographic Information
Organizing Geographic Information
Answering Geographic Questions
Analyzing Geographic Information
TIME: 10 minutes for day 1-4, 50 minutes for day 5
MATERIALS REQUIRED: Mesonet data, weather watcher sheet, copy of weather tools worksheet, two 6”x9” pieces of construction paper, glue, scissors, crayons or markers
OBJECTIVES:
1. Observe and record weather data over a period of time.
2. Recognize instruments used in predicting the weather
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE:
Establish scale (Y axis) by subtracting the highest value from the lowest. Then divide the number by 10 to establish the scale for the graph
SUGGESTED STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
Student assessment will be answering an open response on weather instruments at the end of the five day weather collection activity.
Your Science Club is setting up a weather station for your school to observe and predict the weather.
EXTENDING THE LESSON: Bring in a guest speaker such as a meteorologist or weather forecaster that could explain about weather instruments and how they are used on the job.
ADAPTIONS:
Challenged Learner: Students can graph out basic changes in weather observations by creating an average, and graphing change in average over the week.
Challenging Learner: Students can make additional
weather observations at the regional and national scale, and explain the
relationships at multiple scales (local, regional, national) Regional Scale:
HYPERLINK:
Mesonet Data: http://www.kymesonet.org/
Weather Observation
Record the Weather Data on the Chart for 5 Days below. Transpose the data to the appropriate graphs on page 4. After 5 days of data, plot the temperature on the combined graph below. Note: wind direction is not included on final graphic, but it can be used to explain change in other observations (vector approach)
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Day 1 |
Day 2 |
Day 3 |
Day 4 |
Day 5 |
Temperature (°F ) |
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Precipitation (inches) |
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Wind Direction (in degrees) |
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Wind Speed (mph ) |
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Radiation (W/m²) |
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Humidity (%) |
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Dew Point (°F ) |
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Heat Index (°F ) |
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Final Combined Graphical Observation
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5
T |
P |
WS |
R |
H |
D |
HI |
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T |
P |
WS |
R |
H |
D |
HI |
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T |
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WS |
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D |
HI |
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T |
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WS |
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D |
HI |
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T |
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WS |
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D |
HI |
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Temperature (°F ) Precipitation (inches)
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Day 5 |
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Day 1 |
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Wind Speed (MPH) Wind Direction (365 Degrees)
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Day 1 |
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Day 5 |
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Day 1 |
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Day 5 |
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Day 1 |
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Day 5 |
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Radiation (W/m²) Humidity (%)
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Day 1 |
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Day 4 |
Day 5 |
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Dew Point (°F ) Heat Index (°F )