WebQuest
Weather vs. Climate
Process
Part 1:
Use the link Weather vs. Climate WebQuest Resources (also under resources).
This link will take you to a page with multiple resources for you to
explore weather and climate.
In your science notebook, title your page
Weather vs. Climate, and complete the following questions in your journal using the
resources provided:
- What is weather?
- How do we measure weather?
- What is climate?
- What is an average?
- How are weather and climate different? (This will be your claim.)
Click on the link for your city. This will take you to the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) website. The NOAA tracks and archives weather data. You will use the information on this website to create your graphs.
San Antonio
Dallas/Ft. Worth
In this part of the quest, you will create two graphs.
The graphs will include an appropriate title using either the word "weather" or "climate" and a labeled X and Y axis. The NOAA is your source.
One graph will include the 12 monthly precipitation rates for last year (2011). The second graph will include the 12 average monthly precipitation rates from 1981 - 2010. Round the monthly averages to the nearest tenth before graphing.
To create your graph, click on the graph link under resources. If you need help with your graph, click on the Graph Tutorial link. Once your graph is complete save it and print a copy.
Part 3:
Using the same NOAA link, find data on the 12 monthly high temperatures (labeled max temperature) and 12 monthly low temperatures (labeled min temperature) for last year (2011).
Create a graph that shows both high and low temperatures for each month on the same graph.
Create a second graph of the 30 year 12 average monthly high temperatures and low temperatures for 1981-2010. These high and low temperature averages should also be shown on one graph.
Remember to give each graph a descriptive title, then save and print your completed work.
Part 4:
You and your partner should have created 4 graphs:
1.Monthly Precipitation for 2011
2.Thirty-Year Average Monthly Precipitation
3.High/Low Monthly Temperature for 2011
4.Thirty-Year Average High/Low Monthly Temperature
Use these graphs to answer the following questions:
- Which graphs are labeled "weather" and which are labeled "climate"? Why? (They will be your evidence.)
- How does the data in these graphs help prove my claim? (This will be your reasoning.)
Deep-rain-forest. Digital image. Copyright Free Images. Copyright Free Images. Web. 29 Oct. 2011.
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http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=119268
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