Joy School Temps
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Bonanza Creek Schoolyard LTER
Joy School Temperatures
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Melanie Hinzman’s 2nd Grade Class at Joy
Elementary School did the following project over winter 2003-2004. It was
submitted as a group project to the Science Fair at the school. It will be
entered in the District Science Fair (2004).
Hypothesis:
We think that after it snows, the ground temperature will be
warmer than the air temperature.
Procedure:
Approximately once a week, two different students measured
the snow and ground temperatures with a Fahrenheit thermometer. We also
recorded the air temperature. The snow depth was measured in an
undisturbed area with a centimeter ruler. We wrote the temperatures in a
notebook. Then we put the data on the computer and printed out graphs.
Summary:
Our temperature graph shows that before it snows, the air
and ground temperatures are about the same. After it snows, there is a big
difference between the air and ground temperatures. This is because the
snow insulates the ground and acts like a blanket. We learned that the
ground temperature is also warmer than the snow temperature for the same
reason. Snow protects small animals from the cold. The temperature graph shows
a spike in air temperature on Jan 26th. We think this is because the
temperature sensor was in direct sunlight. The snow depth graph shows two
drops, on January 9th and February 13th. This is because the snow settles.
Resources:
- Professor Larry Hinzman, UAF Water Resource Center
- Mrs. Melanie Hinzman, 2nd grade teacher
- Mrs. Kathie Mulkey, parent helper
- Bianchi, John & Frank B. Edwards, Snow 1992.
