Team 4 – Alaska Alyeska Central School A K-12 correspondence school of the Department of Education, serving students from Barrow to Ketchikan

Where Is the Sunlight? Alaska receives as many hours of sunlight over the course of a year as any other place on earth, such as Huntsville, Alabama.Alaska receives as many hours of sunlight over the course of a year as any other place on earth, such as Huntsville, Alabama. So, why will it be so much hotter there this summer than in Alaska?So, why will it be so much hotter there this summer than in Alaska? Students will develop a model solution to this question.Students will develop a model solution to this question.

Where Is the Sunlight? The “inverse square law” models a number of phenomena The “inverse square law” models a number of phenomena –Gravitational force between two bodies over distance –Magnetic force between two magnets over distance –Light intensity over distance

Where Is the Sunlight? We want students to explore the relationship between the area on which light shines (directly proportional to distance from source), and its intensity (inversely proportional to distance from source). We want students to explore the relationship between the area on which light shines (directly proportional to distance from source), and its intensity (inversely proportional to distance from source).

Where Is the Sunlight? Tools we will use include the following: Tools we will use include the following: –CBL and photocell for measuring light intensity –Excel spreadsheet to model mathematical relationships –ACS Online!, our web based learning environment, for delivery of instruction and communication

Where Is the Sunlight? To focus the project toward Alaskan issues, students will consider the curvature of the Earth and the ensuing differential of light intensity at varying latitudes To focus the project toward Alaskan issues, students will consider the curvature of the Earth and the ensuing differential of light intensity at varying latitudes

Where Is the Sunlight? Example Activities Example Activities Compare area covered with distances from light source.Compare area covered with distances from light source. Area covered by light  distance 2 from sourceArea covered by light  distance 2 from source

Where Is the Sunlight? Compare light intensity with distance and latitude.Compare light intensity with distance and latitude. Intensity  k/d 2Intensity  k/d 2

Where Is the Sunlight? National Science Standards Science as InquiryScience as Inquiry –Math tools and models –Clear, defensible reports Earth and Space Content Standard DEarth and Space Content Standard D –Energy in the Earth system

Where Is the Sunlight? National Math Standards Data Analysis and Probability –Select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data Select and useSelect and use –Develop and evaluate inferences and predictions that are based on data –Formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize, and display relevant data to answer them Formulate questionsFormulate questions

Where Is the Sunlight?

Proposed by: Margaret MacKinnonMargaret MacKinnon Cecilia MillerCecilia Miller Ernie SeligErnie Selig Jon PadenJon Paden