Student Research Reports

View Research Report

This environmental research study was created by Shumate Middle School students Kennedy Hardy (Sixth Grade), Peyton Pitt (Seventh Grade), and Adeline Turkington (Seventh Grade). Our study explores the influence cloud cover has on surface temperature. To conduct our research, our team took many cloud measurements utilizing the GLOBE Observer app. We submitted all data to the GLOBE Program, and we recorded our cloud cover data on a Google Sheet. Additionally, we partnered with Shumate’s Surface Temperature team of Logan Lancaster (Sixth Grade) and Nicholas Stuart (Seventh Grade). Lancaster and Stuart measured surface temperature daily at four different locations. Each location had a different surface type (asphalt, concrete, water, and grass). Their data was also submitted to the GLOBE Program and added to our team’s Google Sheet. All data was collected during our GLOBE Advisory period daily. Our hypothesis, “We believe that increased cloud cover will lead to a decrease in surface temperature values, and a decrease in cloud cover will lead to an increase in surface temperature values. After reviewing the collected surface temperature and cloud cover data, we found out that our hypothesis was correct. The results of this study are very interesting. However, our team plans to continue taking measurements to monitor our claim. The results of our research can be found in this report.