WEATHER OBSERVATION TERM PROJECT*

PURPOSE OF PROJECT: To prepare a photo album of first-hand, local meteorological observations along with identifications and descriptive interpretations.   

OBJECTIVES OF PROJECT:  1) make accurate first-hand observations of weather phenomena through photographs; 2) analyze what is observed in each photograph by incorporating course content as well as your own research; and 3) concisely communicate your observations through a written description of each photograph.

MATERIALS NEEDED: photo album, color print film, small observation notebook that acts as an observation and  photo log, access to a camera.  If you don't own a camera then borrow, share, or purchase one. This is not a photography class, a simple point and shoot camera will do. A disposable camera is suitable for this project.

PROCEDURE: 

1. Over the course of the term, take 20-30 photographs showing atmospheric phenomena.  Take your own photos.  These images must be taken from near work, school, or home, no vacation photos.  Photos can be 3 x 5", 4 x 6", or 5 x 7", no larger.  Reduce photo costs by purchasing film in multi-pack format, mail-in or overnight developing rather than 1-hour, and choosing standard rather than larger prints. 

2. Record the date, time, location, the direction you are facing when photographing, and the meteorological phenomena observed in the observation notebook. 

3. Develop each roll of film as soon as the last picture is taken.

4. Every album will have a cover page with project title, name, and address.  Photos should be assembled in a logical order--by date or by subject matter.  I suggest a 3 ring binder type photo album (8.5 x 11") with removable pages.  This will allow photos to be inserted or substituted easily during the entire term.  An entire page will allow for a panoramic view (two or more photos) and/or a detailed description. The last page of the album is the reference page where citations are listed alphabetically. 

5. Each photo will be accompanied by a typed, referenced, well written caption.  Begin with date, time, location, direction you are facing, and the meteorological phenomena observed.  Devote the majority of the caption (a MINIMUM of five sentences in length) to a descriptive interpretation of the weather phenomena observed.  What, for example, is the phenomenon's origin, distribution, and characteristics?  It is obvious to me when captions are written in haste at the end of the term.   

6. Separate the two best photos (no larger than 5 x 7") in the collection.  Write your name on the back of the photo.  On the last day of class, these photos will be displayed on the front table and will serve as entries in a competitive "Eye on the Sky Photo Contest." Each picture will be assigned a unique number.  The class will review the entire display and select two favorites.   Everyone will vote. To vote place your name on a piece of paper and list the top two image numbers AND what you like about the image.  If desperate enough, you can vote for yourself.  The top three vote getters will receive bonus points on their final project and have their images posted on my web page.  Place a caption by each photo. After the contest, place the photo back in its proper location in the album. 

WHAT KIND OF PICTURES SHOULD I TAKE?

Any weather phenomena.  Consider condensation forms (clouds, dew, fog), atmospheric optics (rainbows, sundogs, halos), and precipitation (rain and hail).  Also include photos relating to temperature, humidity, wind, air masses, fronts, air pollution (smoke plumes, haze, ozone depletion), and the seasons.  Photographing these phenomena may not be immediately evident.  This is where your creative talents are needed.  How do living (humans, animals, and plants) and non-living materials (buildings, roads, houses) adapt to these phenomena?  

Get up early.  Some of the best phenomena are observable around sunrise. 

Try taking close-ups.

The quality of night time photos, depicting moon corona and halo, light refraction, real versus apparent star position, and twinkling, usually isn't the best with cheaper cameras but these photos can add diversity to the project.  

Browse your textbook or a get a book on weather to get ideas.  You can even observe some weather photo competition winners at this site:

Weather Channel Photo Gallery: http://photo.weather.com/interact/photogallery/gallery/archive/index.html

DATE DUE: Last day of class.  Misplaced, lost, or damaged film/photos are not an excuse for a late or incomplete project.  The best way to avoid potential problems is to begin the project early and develop film as soon as the last picture is taken.  

REFERENCES

1. Use the parenthetical i.e. (Francek, 1998) method for citation rather than footnotes.  On the reference page, I will see Francek completely referenced in one of the three formats below:  

The complete citation for a:

1. book: author, year book was published, title (underlined), where the book was published, publisher name. 

2. journal: author, year article published, article title, name of journal (in italics), volume #, page number (s)

3. world wide web URL: author, article title, URL, date you accessed site. 

EVERY web page has an author. The author can be an individual, usually identified at the bottom of the page or an anonymous author, usually the organization or company responsible for maintaining the page. 

WHERE DO I GET HELP?  The textbook, weather books, and websites, particularly links 1-9 on my web page "RESOURCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE AND GEOGRAPHY INSTRUCTION"  http://www.cmich.edu/~franc1m/homepage.htm  will be useful.  In addition, we can talk during office hours, by phone (517 774-7617 office, 517 773-3675 home), or through e-mail. (Mark.Francek@cmich.edu)  I will not read your entire project but I will answer specific questions concerning format, procedure, and content.

EVALUATION:

The project is worth 30% of the final grade.  Don't worry about pictures being "pretty."  This is not a photography class.  Be more concerned about correctly and completely writing captions to photos.  To get a good grade:

1. Have photos clearly show what's intended

2. Captions should have accurate descriptions as to the cause, characteristics, and if appropriate, the distribution of the phenomena in question.  If several photos show the same phenomena than it is not necessary to repeat the "cause" in each photo.

3. The album should be logically organized--either by topic or date photo was taken.

4. Correctly reference each caption. 

GETTING YOUR PROJECT BACK

When I have completed evaluating the projects, I will mail to the Troy Center only those albums that people have specifically requested to be returned.  Pick the albums up at the Troy Center.