Mary Martin, University of New Hampshire

Jacquelyn Wilson, Hubbard Brook Research

Foundation*
Gaj Sivandran, Ohio State University
Emma Van Dommelen, Ohio State University
Jussi Rasinmki, SIMOSOL, Finland
Xavier Cortada, Florida International University
Lindsey Rustad, USDA Forest Service
Assessment of Student Learning
How the Simulation Works
Completion of Waterviz lessons as part of a larger unit
This model employs preset MATLAB functions, algebraic
and calculus-based equations of the above stated
variables. The model was initially tested with an archival
dataset from Columbus, OH providing hourly records
beginning in August 1948 and ending in June 2013.

Background
The Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in NH is a site
associated with the Smart Forest network, an initiative
undertaken by the USFS Northern Research Station to use
multifunctional environmental sensors and sensor networks
to communicate environmental conditions to researchers,
managers and the public in real time. Intrigued by the idea to
engage non-scientists with the ability to monitor the major
components of the water cycle in real time, a team of
scientists, artists, graphic designers and educators developed
the Waterviz, an online artistic simulation and sonification of
the water cycle that reflects the hydrologic processes
occurring at that moment in time using data captured from a
small headwater catchment in the Hubbard Brook valley.

Probability distributions have been constructed from the

above dataset and variables were created in order to
generate a stochastic time series of daily rainfall.

Our team has developed several educational resources for

middle and high school students to accompany the Waterviz,
including lessons that engage students through use of a
simulation to manipulate environmental parameters to
determine effects throughout the various components of the
cycle within a forested ecosystem.

Students can vary

- storm intensity, duration, interstorm period
- land type (forested, urban, agricultural)
- temperature

Methods

This image
accurately reflects
water moving,
through almost all
parts of the water
cycle, through a
small forested
watershed in NH
during Tropical
Storm Irene on 28
August 2011.

Hydrologic variables
Precipitation
Evaporation
Surface Runoff
Infiltration
Deep Drainage

P = Q + E + S
P: precipitation
Q: runoff
E: evapotranspiration
S: change in
storage

Examples from Lessons

Middle school students can manipulate these variables
according to difference scenarios to investigate effects
on water cycle:
What would happen if a forestry operation removed all of
the trees in a large area in the summertime?
- Prediction/hypothesis:
- Variable(s) changed:
- Result(s):
- Hypothesis supported?
High school students can adjust variables in light of
various land use and climate scenarios:
The 2014 IPCC report says that storm intensity, duration
and interstorm periods as well as temperature will vary in
the future. Pick one, and using the information from the
IPCC summary, investigate the effect this may effect
water cycle in our northeastern forests.

will support students in meeting NGSS performance

expectations. Students will be able to:
Middle School
- Develop a model to describe the cycling of water
through Earths systems driven by energy from the
sun and the force of gravity.
High School
- Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one
change to Earths surface can create feedbacks that
cause changes to other Earths systems.
- Analyze geoscience data and the results from global
climate models to make an evidence-based forecast of
the current rate of global or regional climate change
and associated future impacts to Earth systems.

Alignment with Core Ideas

and Practices
Earth and Space Sciences
Middle School
The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
High School
The Roles of Water in Earth's Surface Processes
Weather and Climate
Science Practices
Asking questions
Developing and using models
Analyzing and interpreting data
Constructing explanations
Cross Cutting Concepts
Patterns
Cause and effect
Scale proportion and quantity
Systems and system models
Energy and matter
Stability and change

Funding Sources:
USDA-Forest Service
NH EPSCoR
Northeast Climate Science
Center
Anonymous donor