Investigation: Climate of the Atacama Desert

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Investigation: Climate of the Atacama Desert

Research Question: Why does the Atacama Desert get so little precipitation?

ANALYZING EVIDENCE

Evidence Card A – South America Annual Precipitation

1. What does this map show? ______

2. What can you learn from looking at the key? ______

3. What do you notice about the map? (List 3 observations) ______

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4. Place a post-it note on the areas of the map that get the most rain. Label the post-it note “areas with the most rain.”

5. What is notable about Lloro, Columbia? ______

6. Place a post-it note on the areas of the map that get the least rain. Label the post-it note “areas with the least rain.”

7. What is notable about the Atacama Desert? ______

Evidence Card B – Ocean Temperatures

8. What do the colors on the map tell you? ______

9. What is similar about the ocean temperatures near the areas of South America that get A LOT of precipitation?

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10. What is similar about the ocean temperatures near the areas of South America that get VERY LITTLE precipitation?

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11. How does ocean surface temperature affect precipitation? ______

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Evidence Card C – Rain Shadow Effect

12. In your own words, describe what a rain shadow is. ______

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13. What does the map show? ______

14. Describe the temperature and direction of the prevailing winds near the areas that get A LOT of precipitation. ______

15. Describe the temperature and direction of the prevailing winds near the areas that get VERY LITTLE precipitation. ______

16. Describe the elevation of the areas surrounding the wettest areas of the continent. ______

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17. Describe the elevation of the areas surrounding the driest areas of the continent. ______

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18. How do the rain shadow effect and location of mountain ranges affect precipitation? ______

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CONNECTING EVIDENCE TO CLAIMS

Claim# 1: Prevailing winds on the Pacific coast cause extremely low precipitation in the Atacama Desert.

Identify the evidence from the colored cards to prove that Claim 1 is correct. ______

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Claim #2: The location of the mountain ranges causes extremely low precipitation in the Atacama Desert.

Identify the evidence from the colored cards to prove that Claim 2 is correct. ______

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Claim #3: Surface Temperatures of the ocean cause extremely low precipitation in the Atacama Desert.

Identify the evidence from the colored cards to prove that Claim 3 is correct. ______

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PREPARING FOR THE SCIENCE SEMINAR

Question: Why does the Atacama Desert get so little precipitation?

Review your notes from the above section. Decide which claim you choose as the answer to the question. Explain below.

The claim I currently think is best supported by the evidence claim is Claim #_____.

The strongest evidence to support the claim is: ______

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This evidence supports the claim because: ______

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THE SCIENCE SEMINAR!!

As you listen to the discussion, take notes on convincing pieces of evidence that support each claim

Climate of the Atacama Desert Science Seminar

Final Argument: Why does the Atacama Desert get so little precipitation?

Claim: ______

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Support the claim with evidence and explain how all the evidence is connected to the claim.

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