Lesson 9 : Volcano Tracking
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Basic Readings
- Volcano Monitoring Instructions
- Volcano Practice Data
- Volcano Graphs
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Recommended Readings
- Volcano Monitoring Instructions
- Volcano Practice Data
- Volcano Graphs
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Homework Due
- Turn in assessment materials: Team Evaluation & ERT Log
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Overview
Students learn how to track seismic activity of the Montserrat
volcano. Students receive data gathered from the seismic activity
of Mt. Pinatubo and Soufrière Hills on Montserrat. They create
graphs of the data, study the observation logs that accompany
the data, and interpret the graphs in relationship to the logs.
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Duration
- 15 min. Teams assign roles
- 25 min. Students read materials and practice the worksheets
and graphs
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Materials
- (1 per student) Mission Preparation: Volcano Monitoring Instructions,
Volcano Practice Data, Volcano Graphs
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Topics
- "Data", "Real-time", Seismic activity, Numerical and Observational
data, graphing on an X Y coordinate plane
- Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret
data
- Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using
evidence
- Think critically and logically to make the relationships between
evidence and explanations.
- Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and predictions
- Communicate scientific procedures and explanations
- Risk analysis considers the type of hazard and estimates the number
of people that might be exposed and the number likely to suffer consequences
- Options for reducing or eliminating risks
- Individuals can use a systematic approach to thinking critically
about risks and benefits. Important personal and social decisions
are made based on perceptions of benefits and risks
- Scientific investigations sometimes result in new ideas and phenomena
for study, generate new methods or procedures for an investigation,
or develop new technologies to improve the collection of data. All
of these results can lead to new investigations
Outcomes
- Students are able to "download" real-time data, and calculate predicted
daily total for seismic activity.
- Students can graph real-time data.
Special Comments
The careful recording and interpretation of data demand teamwork. Have
the teams share and compare their findings by posting and comparing
their completed materials. The students are keenly aware of the numerical
data during e-Mission: Montserrat. The verbal data is often overlooked
on e-Mission day. Draw attention to the importance of both forms of
data. Scientists use numbers and gut-level intuition in times of emergencies.
Procedure
ERTs are given the Mission Preparation worksheets (see materials). They
read them, assign roles within the team and practice with sample data.
To practice, they put the sample real-time data into the worksheets,
work the math, fill out a report form, and plot the data on a graph.
Students transfer their graphing and data interpretation skills to seismic
data provided in a different format. They must master new terminology,
manipulate the data, and carry out calculations.
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Basic
Homework
- Read: Your Task, Hurricanes, How Hurricanes Work, Hurricane
Dangers
- Complete article Review Questions
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Recommended Homework
- Read: Your Task, Hurricanes, How Hurricanes Work, Hurricane
Dangers
- Complete article Review Questions
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Extensions
See the Careers section of the Launch Pad. There are some valuable resources
here to encourage students to begin thinking about careers as technicians,
engineers, programmers, specialists, and scientists.
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