Glencoe Earth Science

Unit 5: Earth's Air and Water

Storms

Project Type: Career
Meteorologists are scientists who investigate atmospheric phenomena. One condition that meteorologists around the world study is the hurricane, defined as a tropical cyclone with wind speeds measured on the Beaufort scale that are greater than 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour). Meteorologists continue to research hurricanes because of the potential loss of life and damage to property that they can cause. Students will investigate hurricanes to learn more about this phenomenon and to understand the magnitude of their impact.

Introduction:
Hurricanes are one of the most fascinating and powerful atmospheric phenomenon studied by meteorologists. While hurricanes start in the world’s oceans, their damage is felt most powerfully on land. Investigate how storms that become hurricanes are defined and determine which worldwide locations are at greatest risk for hurricanes.

Task:
Students will conduct research about hurricanes in order to design an informational brochure about this dangerous type of storm.

In order to create their brochures, they should answer the following questions:

  • What is the definition of a hurricane?
  • Where do hurricanes form?
  • How are hurricanes measured?
  • Why are hurricanes potentially dangerous to coastal areas?
  • How are hurricane paths projected?
  • How are meteorologists around the world studying hurricanes?
  • What can people living in coastal areas do to prepare for hurricanes?
  • What land locations around the world have the highest incidences of hurricanes?
  • What are some notable hurricanes in recent history? How have the affected the people who lived in their paths?

Once each student has conducted researched about hurricanes, give each student a sheet of paper to use to create a brochure or allow them to create it on a computer. Students’ brochures should incorporate words and images to describe what the information they have learned. Students should integrate charts, graphs, maps, and photographs to explain what hurricanes are and how they affect people around the world.

Time:
1 class period research hurricane information, 2 class periods to design and produce a descriptive brochure.

Possible Resources:
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/
http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.hurricanehunters.com/
http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/

Rubric:

Click here for a rubric to help you score this project. (73.0K)

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