Relationship between Relationship between physical geology and physical geology and

climate dataclimate dataL. Smetana, M. Guy, E. BrunsellL. Smetana, M. Guy, E. Brunsell

Research FocusResearch Focus How does annual temperature range vary based How does annual temperature range vary based

on location within the United States (coastal vs. on location within the United States (coastal vs. inland, same latitude)?inland, same latitude)?

Expected answer: Students should find that Expected answer: Students should find that coastal areas are more temperate than coastal areas are more temperate than “landlocked” areas.“landlocked” areas.

Big Idea: Large bodies of water moderate Big Idea: Large bodies of water moderate temperatures. Climate patterns are associated temperatures. Climate patterns are associated with geography.with geography.

ContextContext::This question leads to an understanding of This question leads to an understanding of

some of the relationships between some of the relationships between geography and climate.geography and climate.

The question is fruitful and leads to The question is fruitful and leads to multiple opportunities for future multiple opportunities for future investigations.investigations.

MethodMethodIntroduce the question by having students use Introduce the question by having students use

prior knowledge of the local temperature range. prior knowledge of the local temperature range. Ask students to predict how it would compare to Ask students to predict how it would compare to a different location.a different location.

Use appropriate data sets to collect temperature Use appropriate data sets to collect temperature data for specific U.S. Citiesdata for specific U.S. Cities- www.weather.com (vacation planner)- www.weather.com (vacation planner)

http://www.weather.com/activities/travel/vacationplanner/?from=secondarynav-http://www.weather.com/activities/travel/vacationplanner/?from=secondarynav-

- - www.wunderground.com www.wunderground.com (seasonal weather averages)(seasonal weather averages)- www.weatherbase.com - www.weatherbase.com

MethodMethodPlot data on a U.S. map.Plot data on a U.S. map.Students identify patterns in data.Students identify patterns in data.Draw conclusions with age appropriate rationale.Draw conclusions with age appropriate rationale.

Data SummaryData Summary::

http://tinyurl.com/9g2e8v Weather Channel:

Data SummaryData Summary

State your results in word form.State your results in word form.

You may either write a paragraph or use You may either write a paragraph or use bullet statements.bullet statements.

ConclusionConclusion

ImplicationsImplications

Additional Questions-Additional Questions- What “off season” month would you rather visit a beachWhat “off season” month would you rather visit a beach

Ocean temps: www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/index.htmlOcean temps: www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/index.html Where would you like to live (vacation)Where would you like to live (vacation) US Climate AtlasUS Climate Atlas Create a weather chart – daily weather over timeCreate a weather chart – daily weather over time

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service

Educator ImplicationsEducator Implications

Data collection from these sites may be Data collection from these sites may be difficult for children (or appear too difficult) difficult for children (or appear too difficult) and therefore create “concern” from pre-and therefore create “concern” from pre-service teachers.service teachers.