WaterViz is a tool that enables students to visualize and examine the water cycle based on data gathered at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire. A suite of six lesson have been developed for Middle School Students (Grades 6-8). The visualization can be found at http://waterviz.org. The lessons for Middle School students have specific considerations for students with visual impairments.
Using Animated Art, Music and Scientific Graphs to Understand Water and Weather (Grades 6-8)
The WaterViz lessons for Middle School students allow learners to engage with real water cycle data uniquely represented as art, music and scientific graphs. Water cycle data, collected in near-real time by scientists at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire, USA, are represented visually through animated art, auditorily through music and scientifically as line graphs. The six-lesson sequence is geared toward middle school learners, with specific consideration for students with visual impairments.
View Detailed overview of lessons at WaterViz_LessonOverview
Lesson 1. Water Cycle Review and Learning About a Summer Rain Event Through Words
Objectives: I can describe how water cycle components change during a summer rain event.
Time: 45 Minutes
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Lesson 2. Introducing WaterViz and Learning About a Summer Rain Event through Animated Art
Objectives: I can interpret data presented as animated art to identify components of the water cycle.
Time: 45 Minutes
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Lesson 3. Revisiting WaterViz and Learning About a Summer Rain Event through Music
Objectives: I can interpret data presented as music to identify components of the water cycle.
Time: 45 Minutes
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Lesson 4. Revisiting WaterViz and Learning About a Summer Rain Event Through Animated Art, Music, and Scientific Graphs
Objectives: I can analyze my data observations to find patterns that confirm my thinking about how water cycle components change during a summer rain event.
Time: 45 Minutes
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Lesson 5. Revisiting WaterViz and Learning to Interpret and Represent Long-Term Water Cycle Data with a 3D Scale Model.
Objectives: I can use scaling and measurement skills to create a 3-dimensional model of long-term water cycle data collected at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest.
Time: 45 Minutes
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Lesson 6. Revisiting WaterViz and Creating a Unique Representation of Short-Term Water Cycle Data
Objectives: I can design and create a unique representation of short-term water cycle data collected at an experimental forest. I can present and explain my creative work at the Water Showcase.
Time: 45 Minutes
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