Student Research Reports

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In this research, the researchers examined the relationship between surface temperature, water temperature, cloud coverage, and other atmospheric parameters in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Researchers collected daily surface temperature measurements at two school 3 campus sites using an infrared thermometer. In addition, water temperature was recorded in a courtyard pond using a Vernier temperature probe. Furthermore, parameters such as air temperature, barometric air pressure, and humidity were gathered using the WeatherBug app. Over 74 days, trends indicated a steady decrease in surface and water temperatures as the season shifted from late summer to winter. Surface temperature and water temperature showed a direct correlation with water cooling at a slower rate due to its higher heat capacity. A strong relationship was also found between surface temperature and ambient air temperature. However, no significant correlation was observed between cloud coverage and surface temperature, suggesting other environmental factors play a more dominant role in comparing these parameters. Humidity and cloud coverage demonstrated a complex relationship, with high cloud coverage generally corresponding to increased humidity, but varying patterns when cloud coverage was low. Potential errors in data collection included environmental variability, sensor placement, and occasional gaps in daily measurements. This data leads to understanding seasonal climate variations on a local scale and highlights the need for further research to refine methods and expand study periods. The researchers suggest to add more parameters such as UV, particulate matter, or wind speed in order to fully capture the capacity of the changing environment.