Graph: Daylight Hours at N46° 08’

Here is the class graph of Daylight Hours in Longview, WA (latitude N46° 08’) from September, 2007 through August, 2008.

Students worked on the graph in groups; each group was responsible for three months.

Students calculated the number of daylight hours using information from http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php and graphed each day in 5-minute intervals.

We found that our “longest” day has 15 hours and 50 minutes of sunlight while our “shortest” day has just 8 hours and 35 minutes.

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Number of Daylight Hours from September 1 through March 31.

On September 1 there are about 13 hours and 20 minutes of daylight, and that deminishes to 8 hours and 35 minutes on December 16. By March 31, the number of daylight hours increases to 12 hours and 55 minutes.

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Number of Daylight Hours from April 1 through August 31.

On April 1 there are about 12 hours and 55 minutes of daylight, on June 18, 15 hours and 50 minutes (whoo hoo), and on August 31, 12 hours and 55 minutes.

Note: The four sections of white resulted when a student was ill and did not complete his/her portion of the project. Question: Should the team do the work for the absent student to make a complete graph? Or Should the team hold every individual responsible for his/her part?