Hurricanes

1
Hurricanes

• Meredity

2
Research Focus

• When and where do hurricanes occur and is there a
  relationship between the two variables?
• What track did Hurricane Katrina follow in 2005
  and what were the consequences?
• What areas of New Orleans were most impacted by
  Hurricane Katrina? How does that relate to the
  social vulnerability of certain populations
  within the city?

3
Context

• These are interesting questions because
• Allows for consideration of science
  in-conjunction with a societal impact/issue
  (social justice). I.e. human/environment
  interaction.
• Data on simple variables naturally lead to the
  larger interaction between variables leading to
  a more complex conceptual framework of the
  concept.

4
Method

• What data was collected best data to answer your
  question?
• Hurricane tracking data
• Using the Hurricane Portal, the student can
  access data from Hurricane Katrina (ie pressure
  vs wind)
• Maps of New Orleans and flooding vs socioeconomic
  status.
• Data examination might include
• Create maps to track hurricane movement
• Create graphs to make comparisons of weather
  variables during hurricane conditions.
• Overlay maps to determine if a pattern exists
  between flooding and socioeconomic status. (see
  http//gos2.geodata.gov/wps/portal/gos for census
  track map data for students to use when creating
  their own maps)

5
Data Summary
http//www.teachersfirst.com/resources/track_chart
.gif
http//www.emforum.org/vforum/lc070613.htm
6
Data Summary

• Hurricane patterns students should find that
  hurricanes occur during a season warm water
  temps and optimal conditions for pressure
  differences.
• Example tracking map from 2005
  http//www.wunderground.com/hurricane/at2005.asp

7
Data Summary
http//www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/climate/research/2005
/katrina/katrina-prcp-anal.png
8
Conclusion

• Hurricanes are a natural hazard occurring in
  specific locations under specific conditions that
  impact life. (see http//www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/cli
  mate/research/2005/katrina.htmltop for specific
  impacts from Katrina)
• Assessment may include opportunities for both
  formative and summative
• Formative- pre and post concept map
• Summative- score tracking map score (using a
  rubric) an essay on human/environment
  interactions include a map or graph/data
  interpretation question on an exam.

9
Implications

• Need to add specific data analysis of ocean water
  temperature and pressure.
• Need to add some transparency of the inquiry
  teaching process if using this in a methods
  course.