Ranges in Temperature
The following activity explores the range in temperature reported by elementary school children in the Arctic throughout 2007 and the start of IPY. You can use this activity to compare the arctic to your town or to another town within the Windows Around the World program. This activity let's students see how the temperature changes through the winter and the spring and should lead to discussions on temperature change and how the sun and daylength can cause these changes.
Seasonal changes in temperature occur through out the world. Using the temperature data reported by the students in the Windows Around the World program record the range of temperature experienced by the Arctic schools for each month in 2007. Remember the range is the highest and lowest temperature on the chart.
To locate the data for the following table and questions, go to the website for Windows Around the World and then to “Cool Stuff” which is located on the top menu bar, click on “Student Results”.
A chart showing the temperature data for that month will appear. Use this chart to answer the following questions. At the top of each graph is an arrow that lets you go backwards and forwards by a month.
Town January February March April May
Paulatuk __________________________________________________________
Aklavik ___________________________________________________________
Answer these questions
1. Which month or months had the coldest temperatures?
2. Which month or months had the hottest temperatures?
3. Which was the first month to have a large difference in the range of temperatures?
4. Why do you think the temperature changed during this month(s)?
5. How do these temperatures compare to your town or to a town further south that is in the Windows Around the World program?
Notes for Teachers: Elementary students in the Windows Around the World program are collecting and entering the temperature data. Data is entered when students are in school. The actual range in temperature experienced by these towns may be different then that reported by the students as school closures due to holidays or weather can affect the input of data. So the absolute lows and highs may not be reported. When answering question 4, students should be thinking about the day length and seasons. If you want to show the students the amount of day light present during a season or a month you can either visit the “Weather Archives” on-line which available under the “Teacher’s Corner” or you can look at the “Activity Sheets” also available under the “Teacher’s Corner” here you will find images showing seasonal changes.
Ranges_in_Temperature.pdf
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About Juanita:
Juanita is co-developer of Windows Around the World, a web-based exchange program for elementary students that uses visual images. She will use this Blog to suggest ways you can teach polar science with this tool.
