Name________________________________
MYP Unit 3 Mini-Assessment #4
Natural Hazards:
For this assessment, you will take on the role of an actuary. Your primary responsibility is to help people in hu
icane-prone communities by providing them with information to help them prepare for this risk. Your report will also be used by non-profit organizations to prepare for upcoming hu
icane relief related costs.
In the aftermath of hu
icanes, nonprofit organizations such as the Red Cross have sheltered thousands of people, sent out emergency response vehicles into neighborhoods to deliver meals, snacks and relief items, and have volunteers provide emotional and spiritual support in addition to health services. In order to perform these functions, these organizations are dependent on donations from businesses and individuals. Your report will inform these businesses and help promote awareness. The hope is that your work will encourage them to continue their donations for future relief efforts.
Your assessment will consist of two parts:
Task 1: Produce data and a report that analyzes the probability of a minor or major occu
ing hu
icane at a particular location to inform organizations so they can allocate funds appropriately.
*To be completed as a take-home assessment
Task 2: Build a device (an anemometer) that can track wind speeds. The purpose of this device is to act as a primary or secondary alarm that can help notify individuals of wind speeds so they can be informed on the strength of the hu
icane. You will then compare the device you made by collecting data manually and digitally to justify the validity of the instrument you made.
*Building of anemometer is to be completed at home – take-home assessment
*Data collection to be completed in school
*Written explanation to be completed as a take-home assessment
Task 1: Hu
icane Probability Chart This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
The non-profit organization would like to know the probabilities of a hu
icane hitting the different areas where they work. They want to know where to focus their funds in the event that there is a hu
icane and how much of the overall funds should be allocated to help the targeted area.
Using the 2 maps provided in this document:
1. Select one coastal city from each of the 4 areas listed below:
a. North of New Jersey________________________________
. Southern Virginia to Northern Virginia_________________________________
c. Carolinas and Georgia______________________________
d. Florida (east or west coast), Texas or Louisiana________________________
2. Using Map 1, find the probability of a hu
icane returning to each area within the next 5 years, 10 years and 25 years. Using the Map 2, also determine the probability of receiving a major hu
icane (a Category 3 or above) for the same cities and the same time frames. Round your number to the second decimal place.
3. After determining the probabilities, create a chart showing the city names and the hu
icane probabilities that you calculated.
4. Write a short summary explaining your calculations and probabilities. Identify the best places for the non-profit to focus their funds within the next 25 years.
Map 1 Hu
icane Return Periods
The values represented in the bu
les show the return rate of a Hu
icane. For example, a bu
le with the number 5 means that a Hu
icane will return (occur) every 5 years. Therefore, the probability of a Hu
icane occu
ing in 5 years at this location is 1.00.
Map 2 Major Hu
icane Return Periods
The values represented in the bu
les show the return rate of a major Hu
icane. For example, a bu
le with the number 20 means that a major Hu
icane will return (occur) every 20 years. Therefore, the probability of a major Hu
icane occu
ing in 5 years at this location is 0.25.
Additional Map Resource
Task 2: Build an AnemometerThis Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
An anemometer is a device that measures wind speed. Wind speeds are used to categorize the strength of a hu
icane.
For this task, you will:
1. Build an anemometer that will act as a tool to help inform an individual of the cu
ent wind speeds. In the event of a hu
icane, this wind speed data could be used as a guide to inform an individual if they should seek shelter.
2. Record the wind speed both digitally and manually.
3. Create a data table that will provide both sets of data.
4. Use this data to explain the validity of the instrument you created.
Suggested resources on how to build your anemometer
https:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af0LB3abBsk
https:
www.scientificamerican.com/article
ing-science-home-wind-speed/
https:
www.education.com/science-fai
article/make-anemomete
Checklist:
What you will need to complete the tasks:
Task 1
___________A data table that shows the probability of minor and major hu
icanes in select geographic locations of the eastern United States.
__________A sample calculation that shows how you calculated your probabilities.
__________A proposal for a location that you feel organizations should allocate funds to based on the data you have collected.
Task 2
__________A device to measure wind speed
__________A table that compares manually collected with digitally collected data
__________A written explanation of the validity of your device as a tool to inform the community on winds speeds during the length of storm.