Lesson+3+Facilitator+Agenda


 * [[file:Science 6_3 Facilitator Agenda.doc]]



Session 6.3 - Using Google Earth Tools to Become Hurricane Detectives.**

__**SETTING THE STAGE**__ Please ensure that all participants have opened up their Google Earth, are connected to the Internet and unchecked all of the weather applications, downloaded in the previous session. (Information for the facilitator: as a contingency plan in the event that there is no live hurricane, the facilitator will use the PowerPoint entitled Live Hurricane Data.)

In this session, participants will use hurricane tracker to locate and collect information on hurricanes.
 * Session Overview**

· What are hurricanes? · How can we locate a hurricane using the hurricane tracker? · How can we identify the intensity of a hurricane? · How do we use the hurricane tracking tool to enhance student knowledge?
 * Focusing Questions**

-Laptops -Projector -Internet accessibility
 * Materials**

[|http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2006/07/weather_and_sto.html] [|http://maps.csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/viewer.html] [|http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/] [|http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/] [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane]
 * Resources**






 * __INSTRUCTION__** (Typically lasts about 20% of session.)

“In our last session, we learned to download Google Earth weather applications. In speaking with some of you I've heard that you would like to know how to use these applications to enhance your science lesson. We are going to show you how you can use hurricane tracking tools to track the path of a current hurricane, so the students can get a better understanding of hurricanes. Additionally, these tools will provide further information on hurricanes (for example, intensity or wind speed or direction). Let’s talk about what a hurricane is.” [Elicit conversation amongst participants.] For further information access http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane__"
 * Framing the Session**

"Today, we are going to use the weather application tool called the Hurricane Live Position to track live hurricanes. Watch me as I open it up. Find the folder entitled Weather Aps. Inside the folder, look for Hurricane Live Position. Make sure that all of the other weather applications are unchecked. Check the box to activate the application Hurricane Live Position.
 * Teaching**

"Double click on the Globe. We need to move the globe until we find a hurricane. If there is a live hurricane taking place at this time, you will see data points in that area. It shows you the starting point and the path of the hurricane. When you click on the first point you can see the different scientific information about that point of the hurricane such as weather conditions, maximum wind speed, longitude and latitude, the intensity and finally the prediction of the path based upon the aforementioned data. (Information for the facilitator: as a contingency plan in the event that there is no live hurricane, the facilitator will use the PowerPoint entitled Live Hurricane Data.)"

"As a reminder, make sure that you do not try to manipulate the data because your IP will be permanently blocked by Google.
 * Guided Practice**

Step 1 - Open up the Hurricane Tracker Table weather document, into which all hurricane data point data will be entered. Step 2 - Open up Weather Aps folder listed in your My Places task pane. Step 3 - Activate Hurricane Live Positions Tool by placing a checkmark in the box next to it. Make sure all of the other Weather Aps are unchecked. Step 4 - Double click on the Globe to take you to where the live hurricane is located. It shows you the starting point and the path of the hurricane. Step 5 - Zoom in to make sure all of the data points are visible. Step 6 - Click on the second point to find the different scientific information such as weather conditions, maximum wind speed, longitude and latitude,and the intensity/category.. Step 7 - Highlight the data, copy, and paste the data into column 1 of your Hurricane Tracking Table Word document. Step 8 - Highlight the data from Column 1 and move it to the appropriate column. Step 9 - Save the document as "Hurricane (fill in with name of hurricane)" on your computer.

__**WORK TIME**__ (Typically lasts about 60–70% of session.)

"Now that we’ve done one together, you'll begin your career as a hurricane detective.
 * Participant Activity**

Step 1 - Find the rest of the points on this hurricane’s path and record this data on the Hurricane Tracker Table Word document. Save the document on your computer under the name of the Hurricane. Step 2 - Locate and track another hurricane if there is one. Use the Hurricane Tracker Table and complete another table. Step 3 - Include lesson ideas for this hurricane live tracker in your Lesson Ideas document, created in Session 1

Circulate around the room help participants with any problems or questions that they may have, If participants finish early, they can explore another weather application tool. Take note of particularly good examples of work that can be presented during the Share.
 * Facilitator Conferring**

__**SHARE**__ (Typically lasts about 10–20% of session.) Ask selected participants to share examples of their work. How do we use the Hurricane Tracking Tool to enhance student knowledge? What are some other uses of this tool that you can foresee in your instruction? Do you anticipate any problems in implementing this application in your classroom?

Author: Nalini Shyam and Rajeshwari C. Menon Email: nshyam@schools.nyc.gov School/Employer: MS 217,New York City Department Of Education Title: 7th Grade Science Teacher Email: RMeno@schools.nyc.gov School/Employer: IS 195, New York City Department of Education Title: 6th, 7th, 8th Grade Science Teacher
 * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**