A laboratory activity to learn about the urban heat island effect and heat waves.
Students will collect temperature-related data from various parts of their schoolyard, observe and analyze differences in the data, and discuss the environmental factors that affect the temperature. With the help of temperature data for Los Angeles (over a 100-year period), they will observe, analyze, and discuss the occurrence of heat waves and the temperature changes resulting from the urban heat island effect.
Use this tool to help your students find answers to:
- Describe the urban heat island effect.
- How do surfaces such as asphalt and concrete affect the temperature in urban areas?
About the Tool
Tool Name | Feeling the Heat |
Discipline | Physics |
Topic(s) in Discipline | Urban Heat Island Effect; Heat; Energy; Conservation of Energy; Energy Transfer; Electromagnetic Radiation; Heat Waves |
Climate Topic | Climate and the Anthroposphere
Disasters and Hazards |
Type of Tool | Laboratory Activity |
Grade Level | High School |
Location | North America |
USA | |
Los Angeles | |
Language | English |
Translation | |
Developed by | Lisa Gardiner, UCAR Center for Science Education |
Hosted at | UCAR Center for Science Education |
Link | https://scied.ucar.edu/activity/feeling-heat |
Access | Online; Offline |
Computer Skills | Basic |