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From: Monster Storms Mission 2: The Plot Condenses
Mission 2 - Lesson 7: Water Vapor in the Atmosphere

Tell how dew point and humidity indicate the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.

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Prepare  
 
Prepare
 
Time Required: 330 minutes
One class period is needed to build the hygrometer and two weeks are needed to collect data. Two class periods are needed to complete the Mission Challenge and Mission Debrief.
  • Begin collecting hair dryers well ahead of time.
  • Put students in groups of two or three. Consider grouping decisions carefully, as they will be working together for two weeks on the project.
  • Collect the materials from the list on page 43 of the student edition.
  • Make copies of the Calibration Sheet and Field Assignment Data sheet from the JASON Mission Center.
  • Read through the Field Assessment Set Up, Field Preparation, and the Mission Challenge on pages 43 and 44 of the teacher’s edition.
  • Read the tips for building a hair hygrometer on page T114.
  • Decide on a specific location where students can collect data with their hair hygrometers.
Motivate  
 
Motivate
 
  • Ask students to share the JASON Journal response from the last class period. Assess students’ knowledge of how cloud identification assists Robbie Hood in doing her work.
  • Remind students of all they have learned about Robbie Hood’s work. Ask if they still have questions about the data she needs to predict accurately the strength and direction of hurricanes.
  • Explain that the Field Assignment that they are about to begin will be the final piece in that puzzle.
Teach  
 
Teach
 
  • Begin by having students read the lead into the Field Assignment Modeling Atmospheric Signatures on page 43 of the student edition. Follow the Teaching Tips on page 43 of the teacher’s edition as you discuss the reading and the proceeding activities.
  • Have students turn to page 114 of the student edition and read the steps for building a hair hygrometer. Have a brief discussion about what the instrument does and how it might work. Ask students if they have ever noticed differences in the condition of their own hair or hairstyles on rainy days.
  • Have students build the hygrometer and follow the steps outlined in the Field Preparation on page 43 of the student edition. Item 1 asks them to design an experiment using the hygrometer at home or school. You may want them to write a draft of the experiment for approval before beginning.
  • When they have finished, use the specified location to collect data for two weeks using the Mission 2 Field Assignment Data sheet. Monitor their progress for consistency.
  • Students can do the research suggested in item 7 of the Field Preparation as they collect data. You may also want to have them complete any ongoing long-term assignments during this time.
  • Have the same lab teams begin their work on the Mission Challenge. This can also begin as the hair hygrometer data-collection continues. Distribute the suggested materials from page 43 and follow the suggestions under the Mission Challenge section in the teacher’s edition.
  • When lab teams have concluded the activities, have them collaborate to complete the Mission Debrief questions on page 45 of the student edition. Make sure that each student completes a written version of the questions.
 
Modeling Atmospheric Signatures Field Assignment
 
View In this field assignment, students become meteorologists as they model the research of NASA scientist Robbie Hood. In order to understand how weather has been studied over time, they first use an ancient tool called a hygrometer to measure humidity in the air. Next, they build a device that models the way Robbie measures the water content in hurricane clouds from a distance. They are then able to evaluate how far we have come in both our technology and our understanding of the weather.
 
Modeling Atmospheric Signatures Field Assignment
 
View To go with Mission 2 Field Assignment.
Reflect And Assess  
 
Assessment
 
  • Collect the Mission Debrief questions to assess the Field Assessment.
  • Evaluate the Mission 2 Field Assignment Data sheet and the quality of the hair hygrometer.
Follow-up  
 
Follow-up
 
  • Assign the JASON Journal Prompt on page 42–45 of the student edition for homework.
  • Review the Authentic Assessment and Follow-Up suggestions presented on page 45 of the teacher’s edition and consider implementing these plans as you complete your work on Mission 2.
 
Mission 2 Field Assignment: Modeling Atmospheric Signatures Journal Question
 
Why is Robbie Hood’s research important for other scientists who study hurricanes?
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