Earth Exploration Toolbook Chapter: Investigating the Precipitation-Streamflow Relationship

URL: http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/module_discharge/index.html

380604|1007936

DATA: Streamflow data, Precipitation data TOOL: Spreadsheet application - Produce a graph to compare data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).

Summary

Subject keyword(s)	Astronomy, Biogeochemical cycling, Clouds and precipitation, Cycles, Earth's water, Earth and space science, Earth science, Ecology, Forestry and Agriculture, Excel, Freshwater, Geoscience, Hydrology, inquiry, Physical sciences, Space Science, Space sciences, Surface Water, Water cycle, Water cycle/groundwater-surface water interface
Grade level	Middle School, High School, Higher Education, Informal Education, Vocational/Professional Development Education
Intended audience	Educator, Learner
Resource type	Dataset, Instructional Material, Tool
Resource format	text, text/html
Rights	Original, creative works created for the Earth Exploration Toolbook website remain the intellectual property of that program and may be used freely for any non-commercial, educational purpose with appropriate attribution. This product is free and clear for general use. Original, creative works created for the Earth Exploration Toolbook website remain the intellectual property of that program and may be used freely for any non-commercial, educational purpose with appropriate attribution.

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Title	Earth Exploration Toolbook: Step-by-Step Guides for Investigating Earth System Data
Link	http://serc.carleton.edu/eet
Description	The Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET) is a collection of step-by-step examples, called chapters, of the use of Earth system science resources in an educational context for the educational community. The resources include datasets, analysis tools, visualization tools, and other educational products. Each chapter features one specific resource. The chapters provide the non-expert teacher/educator with enough experience and in-depth knowledge of the featured resource to be able to use it in other contexts, and to help their students use the resource to explore and investigate issues in Earth system science. The purpose of the Earth Exploration Toolbook is to support the use of scientific datasets, tools, and other products developed and archived for the scientific community by the broader educational community.
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Title	Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
Link	http://msteacher2.org/
Description	The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience.
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Content contained within the resource

Investigating the Precipitation-Streamflow Relationship Nick Haddad, nick_haddad@terc.edu Center for Earth and Space Science Education, TERC Published: July, 2003. Last updated: May 2011. Description Graph illustrating the relationship between precipitation and streamflow. The intricate relationship between precipitation and streamflow is illustrative of the complexity and changing nature of the water cycle. These key aspects can be investigated to help understand the water cycle. The duration and intensity of the precipitation, soil porosity, the slope of the ground, and the time of year emerge as some of the potential factors in this investigation. Step-by-step instructions will guide you through the following processes: locating and downloading web-based streamflow and precipitation data, importing the data into a spreadsheet, and generating a graph that displays the day-to-day relationship between these two variables across a full year. The inquiry starts once the graph is complete. The patterns that emerge from the graph are sometimes predictable and sometimes quite puzzling. As you consider questions about this complex relationship and search for answers, you will develop a deeper understanding of some of the basic dynamics of the water cycle. There is no attempt in this chapter to quantify the precipitation - streamflow relationship. Although the particular case study in this chapter is valuable for introducing the procedures related to a precipitation–streamflow investigation, you will have greater opportunities for inquiry if a local watershed is available for study. In a local investigation, you may have the opportunity to visit the watershed to gather information about factors such as slope, soil composition, and vegetation. You'll also have the opportunity to request information from local officials or environmental agencies. This chapter is part of the Earth Exploration Toolbook. Each chapter provides teachers and/or students with direct practice for using scientific tools to analyze Earth science data. Students should begin on the Case Study page.       Next Page » The EET web site collects no personally identifying information and so is compliant with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The site is constructed with tools that attempt to ensure the broadest possibleaccessibility in line with section 508 and w3c guidelines. Earth Exploration ToolbookAll EET Chapters Investigating the Precipitation-Streamflow Relationship Teaching Notes Case Study Step-by-Step Instructions Tools and Data Going Further About the Earth Exploration Toolbook | Last Modified: May 18, 2011 | printer friendly | Shortcut to this page:  http://serc.carleton.edu/1045