G.R.A.S.P.

Hello, students and parents. I've just been informed that there is a "Nine Weeks Unit Challenge" that has to be completed. I've looked it over and it is relatively fun, simple to conduct, and basically takes only 20 minutes (plus write-up time) to finish. This is meant to be a home project. If possible, I will try to set up an in class center designed for this project but no guarantees. Also bear in mind that since it takes 20 minutes to conduct, it will only be do-able by a certain number of students during days that my lessons will allow for said time frame. That said, you are encouraged to do as much as you can of this project at home. I am setting the due date for October 23, to allow for the other nine weeks project that has already been assigned. This will be a 100 point assignment based on completion (you either do it in its entirety or don't do it at all and receive a zero or point deduction for lateness) and will be counted as the first grade of the second nine weeks. Again it is short and simple to do so don't sweat it so much until after you've completed your other nine weeks project and the exam.
And without further adieu...here it is:

1st Nine Weeks Unit Challenge
G.R.A.S.P.


[G]oal
To understand the effect of the atmosphere on air temperature over land and water.

[R]ole
You are a meteorologist at the local television station.

[A]udience
Your audience will be television viewers.

[S]ituation
You have been asked to build a model and collect data to show the effect of the heating of land and water on air temperature. You will need to further explain to your audience why hurricanes only form over warm oceans and move in predictable directions.

[P]roducts
You need to design and create a model and collect data that will explain to TV viewers the effect land and water on air temperature: Since you are a meteorologist, your results will be given as a news report during the weather report

Atmosphere Model Investigation Materials and equipment (per group)
• 2 empty water bottles (500 mL)
• play ground sand and water
• lamp
• 2 thermometers
• timer

Put 100 g of each substance in a separate bottle. Insert a thermometer into the substance (do not let the thermometers touch the bottom of the container). Turn the light on. Record the temperature every minute for 10 minutes. Turn off the lamp and continue to record for 10 minutes more. Graph your results.

Analyze the results and use them to respond to the following:

1. In which container did the temperature increase faster?
2. How did the temperatures change once the light was off?
3. Explain to your viewers why beach people have a cool breeze every afternoon in the summer.
4. Explain to your viewers why summers are cooler and winters are warmer when you are near the ocean.
5. Explain to your audience why storms such as hurricanes only form over warm oceans.
6. Explain to your audience why FL experiences storms such as hurricanes.