CS382:Unit-hurricanes

Hurricane tracking-- like the data that was shown to CS128, we can have them simulate the paths of hurricanes, severity, etc. If we're trying to generate interest, I think it would be good to initially give them huge models of catastrophic events that, to put it crudely, feel "awesome"; Just something to give them the ability to say "Well, WE just simulated a friggin' hurricane that tore across the east coast of the U.S." It might help plug them into the class. This also goes along with those four "criteria for happiness," where we can perhaps get students more engaged by making them feel like they're doing something huge that relates to the rest of the world.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_cyclone_forecast_model (has descriptions of various models for tracking cyclones and hurricanes)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Weather_Research_and_Forecasting_model
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAZUS
  • This seems to be the most likely candidate for something useable:
    • "Federal, State and local government agencies and the private sector can order HAZUS-MH free-of-charge from the FEMA Publication Warehouse." [1]
  • It may also be that in order to use HAZUS, ArcGIS is required with an entry level license. Seeing as this is only $1,500 for the entry level, this is probably not viable...

Comments

Pros

• Something they can feel good at and they can relate to the rest of the world, as well as being powerful and badass

Cons

• Doesn't look like there are many open source hurricane models that we could use in this class.
• Hurricane tracking difficult to teach them about (in itself), also this isn't something that humans can have any effect on in the real world.

To Do

• Look around, possibly at GCM (Global Climate Model)
  • Potential one to look into: http://www.astr.ucl.ac.be/users/matthews/jcm/
  • EdGCM
    • EdGCM is no longer available for free