Early Retirement: Making Sense of Patterns in Historical Data of Retired Hurricanes

Abstract

Long after a hurricane passes over and through any region or coastal area, the memories of it often linger. There may be visual reminders of the storm and the day lives may have been changed, or lost, forever. Hurricanes can be long-lived storms. They can also be structurally large, so their impact can cover enormous swaths of land and water, often with large populations in the way, particularly coastal areas. Hurricanes are the only officially named natural disasters, as well as the only hazards whose names can be retired. This unique characteristic provided us an opportunity to develop an activity that allows students to gain a greater understanding and appreciation into the: a) climatology of hurricanes, b) change over time with respect to naming and their frequency, and c) socio-scientific impact of the storms. In this activity students make sense of various data by analyzing, comparing and contrasting, and thinking critically about the various patterns that emerge, enhancing scientific literacy as well as gaining an appreciation for the phenomenon and the research around tropical systems.

Keywords:

• Meteorology
• hurricanes
• retired names
• patterns
• historical data
• quantitative reasoning
• crosscutting concepts
• sensemaking
• science teaching

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplemental MATERIAL

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00368555.2024.2337867.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher Roemmele

Christopher Roemmele ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor of Earth and Space Sciences and Science Education at West Chester University.

Joby Hilliker,

Joby Hilliker ([email protected]) is an Associate Professor of Meteorology at West Chester University.

Victoria Clayton

Victoria Clayton ([email protected]) is a 2023 West Chester University Middle Grades Prep graduate and teaches 5th grade for the Garnet Valley (PA) School District.