WEATHER VARIENCE FROM COAST TO COAST

By: Kathleen Bird

Springfield High School

  1. Students are to use the Internet, newspaper or nightly news report to find the weekly weather report for cities that they were given. To eliminate students finding weather reports on the same cities, I chose four cities for each student. I chose one north, one south, one east and one west.
  2. Next, I have the students write down all the information on each city (Temperature, rainy, sunny, etc.)
  3. I have the students take the average of the high and low temperature for each day and the graph their data. I have the students choose the type of graph, but each city needs to be graphed on one graph in different colors in order to easily compare the data.
  4. Next, I have the students write up a conclusion about their graph.
  5. To incorporate variance, I have the students find the range, median, upper quartile, lower quartile, interquartile range and outliers (if any) for each city's weekly temperature report.
  6. I have the students compare their variance data and make a logical conclusion about the data without looking at their graph.
  7. To incorporate group work, I have groups of four students compare their graphs and their variance conclusions. Each group needs to write up their conclusion.
  8. To sum up the project, I have the students write a paragraph on "If you had to relocate to one of your weather search cities, which one would best suite you and why?". After each student writes their paragraph, I would have them explain their choice to the class.
  1. *This projects not only incorporates mathematical skills, but also incorporates writing skills and oratorical skills.