How to Mitigate Hurricane Damage
Activity on the dataset Hurricane Sandy, Her Brothers and Sisters
Students describe and interpret data about hurricanes in 2012 in order to propose a good location for a new hurricane mitigation structure.
Learning objectives: In this activity students use data about the tracks of tropical storms in 2012 to create develop a proposal for where to place a new hurricane mitigation structure. The activity has three parts. Students will; 1. Explore hurricane data to identify which variables and trends are important to inform where storm mitigation structures would be most useful 2. Propose where to place mitigation structures to the greatest advantage based on the storms in 2012. 3. Reflect on limitations to basing a proposal on just one year of hurricane data, and suggest how the evidence could be improved NGSS DCI: MS-ESS3-2 Analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to forecast future catastrophic events and inform the development of technologies to mitigate their effects. NGSS CCC: MS-ESS3-2 Patterns (Graphs, charts, and images can be used to identify patterns in data). NGSS SEP: Analyzing and Interpreting Data: Analyze data to define an optimal operational range for a proposed object, tool, process or system that best meets criteria for success.
Welcome to this Tuva activity! Essential Question: How can scientific data inform and enhance our ability to mitigate the damage caused by hurricanes? Task: Create an evidence-based proposal for where a new hurricane mitigation structure should be placed. Anchoring Phenomenon: The United States spent $1.36 million dollars between 2011 and 2013 on disaster relief and infrastructure repairs due to hurricane destruction. Hurricanes contributed to 153 deaths in the US from 2000 to 2010. Climatologists and the IPCC report that hurricanes will likely strengthen in intensity as climate continues to warm. How can scientists and the government work together to help mitigate (reduce) the potential damage and loss from hurricanes? Your team is going to begin to figure out that answer. In this activity, your team has been asked to analyze data about hurricanes in 2012 in order to recommend a good location to build and test a hurricane damage mitigation structure. You will want this test to be located in a region that is likely to be hit by a hurricane in the next five years. You have the opportunity to protect human life, infrastructure and ultimately help towards the effort to protecting future generations from the destruction from hurricanes. Click Next to get started!
Topics and standards: Science, Data Analysis, NGSS, Earth Science, Hurricanes, MS-ESS3-2, Natural Hazards, Weather & Climate, Engineering & Design, Grades 6-8, Student-Directed, Water Air & Ice, MS-ETS1-1, 7-ETS1-1, 8-ESS3-1, 8-ETS1-1, 3.3.6-8.L