The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 5-12


Because it recognizes the importance of U.S. coastal areas to the nation's economy, the U.S. National Ocean Service has formed a task force that is studying the trends and impacts of hurricanes on coastal regions. They have invited your students to participate. In this activity, students are tasked with conducting an Earth systems analysis of Hurricane Katrina that will help answer the question "Is global warming causing an increase in hurricane frequency and intensity?"

Hurricane Katrina: A Problem-Based Learning Module
  Teacher Edition [1MB PDF file]

Hurricane Katrina: A Problem-Based Learning Module
  Student Edition [1MB PDF file]

Rubric for Evaluating Earth System Science Analyses [364KB PDF file]