MindScapes
Campus
Geography and Microclimate Activity
This activity
will lead you through an analysis of campus geography and microclimates.
Materials:
I.
DATA AQUISISITON
Procedure: You will be divided into groups and given
specific data gathering responsibilities.
Record your data below at the appropriate location. Use the attached map to assist you; label the
map with the location letter.
Location A:
SW corner CC2 next to rocks at drain (close to rocks as poss.)
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location B:
Dead center grassy area at N end of CC2
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location C:
At flagpole
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location D:
Grove of 4 tree W of ancestors
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location E:
Under S sky bridge
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location F:
NE corner of North Creek Café (elevated)
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location G:
UW 2 stairwell @ N exit
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location H:
Picnic bench S of fenced dumpsters
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location I:
Driveway entrance Truly House
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location J:
NW corner, surface parking, @ stop sign
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location K:
E corner of S parking garage
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed and
direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location L:
E bench at Chase house
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other noteworthy
observations:
Location M:
on trail, under 522 (not on map)
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location N:
Intersection of access trail and main trail @ lily pad drawing
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location O:
Experimental station (been with green pots) across from Blue Heron
drawing
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location P:
Intersection of main trail and trail to boardwalk
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location Q:
On boardwalk at wetland border
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other noteworthy
observations:
Location R:
End of boardwalk
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location S:
SW Intersection of main trail and trail to N. parking garage
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
Location T:
SE corner N parking garage
Time / Date:
Absolute
location:
Relative
location:
Temperature
in °F and C°:
Relative
Humidity:
Sky cover
& direct / indirect sun:
Wind Speed
and direction:
Other
noteworthy observations:
II. ANALYSIS
You will be
supplied with two additional maps. On
one, write in the temperature data in Celsius nest to each location. On the other, write in the relative humidity
data. If it seems useful, draw in
isotherms on the temperature map and isohumes (instructor will provide
explanation).
1. Describe the temperature and humidity
variations on campus. Is the campus
uniform in either or both? Is there a
pattern to these variations?
2. What factors might influence the variations? Refer to the other collected data and
“noteworthy observations.”
3. Can you identify any specific microclimates
on campus? If so, for each, hypothesize
as to what creates them.
4. Extrapolate what you have learned to the
regional and global scales. What are the
predominate factors that affect climate?
5. Reflect on this experience. What new information have you learned? Has participating in the exercise affected
any prior knowledge? Is your world view
any different now?