Activity 1.1 - Climatographs

Student Instructions:

For this assignment, you will complete the activity by reading the purpose and procedures, answering questions and writing a conclusion in this Word Document

You will also produce a graph. This can be done on paper, scanned and uploaded OR done with a Excel if you would prefer.

Please follow the student instructions highlighted in yellow.

Purpose:
To interpret, compare and construct climatographs.

Materials:
Graph paper, pencil ruler OR graphing program

Procedures:

Part 1 - Climatograph Interpretation:
1) Look at the climatograph below and answer the following questions (type directly below each question using FULL SENTENCES):

a)What information is indicated on the left hand y-axis (vertical axis?)

b)What are the units on this axis?

c)What information is indicated on the right hand y-axis?

d)What are the units on this axis?

e)What information is indicated on the x-axis (horizontal axis)?

f)If you were looking at the line (temperature) which axis should you use?

g)If you were looking at the bars (precipitation) which axis should you use?

Part 2: Construct a Climatograph

Student Instruction: You can use graph paper and then scan and upload your graph, or use a graphing program like excel to create a graph. (Note that creating a graph with a double y-axis is a bit tricky, so you may want to do this by hand)

2) Use the data below (Source: Environment Canada) to construct a climatograph for Prince Rupert BC.

- months should be on the x- axis (horizontal axis)
- temperature on the left hand y-axis (vertical axis), present as a line graph (smooth curve, NOT connect the dots)
- precipitation on the right hand y-axis (vertical axis), present as a bar graph
- refer to the graph in part 1 as an example

Month / Average Maximum Temperature (oC) / Average Precipitation (mm)
January / 4.6 / 256.9
February / 5.9 / 203.9
March / 7.4 / 191.6
April / 9.9 / 178.7
May / 12.3 / 139.5
June / 14.2 / 123.7
July / 16.1 / 114.3
August / 16.7 / 155.4
September / 14.9 / 244
October / 11.7 / 379
November / 7.1 / 305
December / 5.1 / 302

Climate Data for Prince Rupert, BC

Tips for good graphing:

- use a ruler for straight lines,
- make sure to label all axis including units,
- make sure all intervals (the squares or tic marks on a graph) are worth an EQUAL AMOUNT...for example go up by twos, fives etc.
- the graph should be large enough to be interpreted visually....at least 1/2 a page is a good rule of thumb

Data and Observations:

Ensure you upload your graph with this assignment.

Questions:

Student Instructions:Answer these questions directly in the Word document under each question. Please use full sentences

1) How would you describe the climate of Kamloops (part 1) compared to the climate of Prince Rupert (part 2). For example is it hot/mild/cold, dry/wet/average precipitation?

2) Which biome type do you think Kamloops is, based on the climatograph? Explain your answer (refer to the previous lesson biomes if you need to).

3) Which biome type do you think Prince Rupert is, based on the climatograph? Explain your answer (refer to the previous lesson on biomes if you need to).

Conclusion:

Student instructions: Type your conclusion in paragraph form below.

In one or two well written paragraphs written in the third person, write a conclusion. Discuss the major results of this activity, the science behind it, what you have learned and any difficulties in this activity.

DO NOT:
- simply repeat the procedures,- use I, we, names etc

Third Person Writing

For example, instead of saying "I learned in this lab," try saying "This lab demonstrated..."

Instead of saying "I think Climatographs are used for..." say "Climatographs are used for..."