Hurricane! Saving Lives via Logical Reasoning & Computer Science

For the teacher's introductory presentation:

• computer (with Microsoft Excel® and Internet access) and LCD projector to show the class a satellite image of Hurricane Ike (Figure 1), an example Hurricane Tracking Assignment spreadsheet, an online video and an online animation
• MATLAB software installed on the teacher's computer to run the MATLAB code; obtain a trial version or purchase a license at http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/ (strongly recommended, although the activity can be completed without MATLAB by using the data on the Hurricane Tracking Results (XLSX), a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, which was generated using the MATLAB code and software)
• hurricane.m (M) file
• hurricane.dat (DAT) file

Each group needs:

• computer with Microsoft Excel® and MATLAB
• Hurricane Tracking Map (PDF) (see Figure 2)
• Hurricane Tracking Assignment (XLS), a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet
• MATLAB Code (PDF), in the form of a Microsoft Word® or PDF file for easy printing
• ruler with centimeters marked
• crayons, markers (or dry erase markers if using a laminated map)
• calculator

For the entire class to share:

• (optional) LCD projector, so students can display to the class their data and MATLAB software calculations

Note: As an alternative to the provided Hurricane Tracking Map, which uses a grid measured in miles, find a map that uses kilometers and modify the activity to use the metric system. Or, purchase large NOAA Atlantic hurricane tracking charts, from 18 x 24-inches to 60 x 80-inches, paper or laminated at http://www.swiftmaps.com/servlet/Detail?gclid=CL2TyN32xbgCFatj7AodgAoA5g&no=568.