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The Urban Heat Island Effect in a Small Town

Organization(s):St. Francis Xavier Catholic School
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Jacob Fleming
Grade Level:Middle School (grades 6-8, ages 11-14)
GLOBE Educator(s):Amy Woods
Contributors:
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)
Protocols:Surface Temperature
Presentation Video: View Video
Language(s):
Date Submitted:04/10/2019
This experiment focused on the question, how will the Urban Heat Island Effect be shown when taking surface temperature measurements in Gettysburg, PA and at St. Francis? The hypothesis states that if surface temperature measurements are taken in an urban environment, then the surface temperature reading will be higher because there is more asphalt, tall buildings, and dark surfaces in cities which will absorb more heat, increasing surface temperature. The independent variable is the location that surface temperature testings are being taken. These locations are in downtown Gettysburg and on the rural campus of St. Francis Xavier School. The dependent variable is the surface temperature taken in Celsius. The controlled variables are the GLOBE Surface Temperature Protocol, the instruments used, and the surfaces the surface temperature is being taken on. This experiment was conducted by taking surface temperature with an infrared thermometer according to GLOBE protocols in Gettysburg downtown and near school. Grass, concrete, and asphalt were tested at both locations. Testings were being taken after school on Mondays and Fridays. The data supported the hypothesis because the in town averages were normally above the school averages. If this project was continued more data would be taken in more places. Keywords: surface temperature, urban heat island, asphalt, dark surfaces


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Comments

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Yaqoub Yousuf AL-Balushi
5 Years Ago
Well organised and good job.
what would the different in implementing this study in big towns like capitals?
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Student 4 of Amy Woods-Science 8 Yaqoub Yousuf AL-Balushi
5 Years Ago - Edited
Dear Mr. Yaqoub Yousuf AL-Balushi,

Thank you so much for reading my report and giving me feedback and encouragement. In answer to your question; if the surface temperature measurements were taken in a larger city, the temperature difference would most likely be greater than the small town I am testing in. This is because there is more vegetation for surface coverage in Gettysburg along with the fact that it has a small urban area that is surrounded by suburban and rural areas. Larger urban areas have a larger amount of dark surfaces and asphalt.Thank you again for your feedback.

Sincerely,
Jacob Fleming
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Kevin Czajkowski
5 Years Ago
Great job Jacob. I like your plot showing the averages and error bars. Most students would not have that in their project because it is an advanced way to look at the data.