Web+Cam+Lessons+--Two+Lessons

Title: Buoy to Beach Analysis Author(s): David Laliberte, Doug Caldwell, Jen Stanbro Grade Level: 5 & 6 Setting: Classroom Pre- or Post-visit: Either Time Needed: 45 minute sessions--Variable number of sessions Focus Concept/Skill:Scientific Method Essential Question(s): How does the beach change? Learning Objectives/Goals:
 * Practice using the scientific method
 * Compare data over time
 * Making accurate and detailed observations
 * Reading and understanding technical weather data

Relevant Standards:

Prior Knowledge Needed:
 * Some knowledge of weather concepts, such as wind speed, atmospheric pressure, pressure tendancy, wind direction, wind gusts, air temperature, dew point
 * Some knowledge of high and low tide, wave height, dominant wave period, average wave period, mean wave direction, water temperature
 * Knowledge of scientific method

Materials Needed:
 * Science journal
 * Online computer

Activity Description: Students over a period of time take conditions reports from the NOAH Buoys and hypothesize about what the beach might look like based on weather conditions. Then they test their hypothesis based on images from a nearby beach web cam.
 * Overview:

This can be done with teams of students over a whole school year or as a whole group activity over a shorter period of time.

Locate NOAH Buoy Reports for an area ([|http://mob.ndbc.noaa.gov/)]. Review the weather conditions, hypothesize about what the beach will look like. Then find a beach web cam near the buoy using ([|http://www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm).] Have the students go to the web cam and record their observations and test their hypotheses. Students can also compare the recording over time.
 * Procedure:

Sample Questions:
 * What are your observations?
 * How do the waves look during high winds?
 * Will there be ice of the beach at low temperatures?
 * What will the difference be between high and low tides during different seasons?
 * Do the wave patterns look different in different conditions? High curling? Are the waves close together or far apart? Are the waves big or small?

Assessment Ideas: Students record their hypothesis and observations in science journals. They report on changes over time.They are assessed for accuracy, detailed observations, and following the scientific method from questions to conclusions.

Extension Ideas: Take buoy report data and put them into a spreadsheet and create charts and graphs charting changes over time.

Resources: NOAH Buoy Reports--[|http://mob.ndbc.noaa.gov/] Maine Harbor Web Cam Index--[|http://www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm]

Title: Web Cam & Changes Over Time Author(s): Doug Caldwell, David Laliberte, Jen Stanbro Grade Level: 5 & 6 Setting: Classroom Pre- or Post-visit: Either Time Needed: variable Focus Concept/Skill: scientific method Essential Question(s): How will the images from this web cam changes over time? Learning Objectives/Goals: Practice scientific method

Relevant Standards: Prior Knowledge Needed: Basic technology skills Scientific Method

Materials Needed: Computers

Activity Description:

Students collect still images from a single web cam at regular intervals over a specified period of time. They hypothesize what observable changes might take place. They take the still images and print them or string them together in a Power Point or Movie Maker file. They compare the images and make observations about the changes that they see and make a report of their findings.
 * Overview:


 * Procedure:

Assessment Ideas: Students are assessed on their following the scientific method from questions to conclusions. Extension Ideas: String the images together in Movie Maker or Quicktime and stop-action movie.

Resources: Maine Harbor Web Cam Index--[|http://www.maineharbors.com/camindex.htm)]

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