Cycle A Dust Bowl - Team Assignment

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on March 25, 2012 at 7:24:44 pm

Part 1: Knowledge and Questions Dara K. Cepeda	Part 1: Knowledge and Questions Cristina Pintor	Part 1: Knowledge and Questions Cesar Mata	Part 1: Knowledge and Questions Rene Rodriguez
		Erosion caused by severe drought and over-farming led to the disaster known as the Dust Bowl. Areas that were once covered by grasslands and trees were plowed down to make room for people emigrating from the East. The offer of free land and opportunity drew millions to the area and led to an economic boom that didn’t last very long. Changes in weather patterns led to a severe drought slowing agriculture. This combined with over farming created a dangerous situation as massive windstorms carried dust and dirt for miles. Entire areas were engulfed by crippling dust storms. People died from suffocation and others were forced to leave the areas as they had no way to prosper under those appalling conditions. My only experience with the Dust Bowl prior to our ESSEA course assignment was in an American Heritage course that I took at UTPA during my sophomore year in 2004. From this experience, I can only recall major details about the Dust Bowl such as what I remembered about the causes and effects of the disaster. I can recall that the two major causes of the Dust Bowl were severe drought and over farming of the Great Plains. I believe the biggest impact that it had was an economic one. It forced many to give up their dreams of prosperity on the plains and move to seek other opportunities.
Part 2: Discussion	Part 2: Discussion	Part 2: Discussion	Part 2: Discussion
Peer discussion of each others thoughts: Individual questions:	Peer discussion of each others thoughts: Individual questions: 1. Were farmers at that time aware of good farming techniques? 2. If another Dust Bowl where to happen, will it be in the same region? 3. Is government aware that there is a possibility of another Dust bowl? 4. Is government prepared to prevent another Dust Bowl to happen? 5. In case another Dust bowl happens, is government prepared to deal with that disaster?	Peer discussion of each others thoughts: Individual questions: 1. Could the dust bowl have been prevented? 2. How do weather patterns from the 1930’s compare with weather patterns today? 3. What are the signs that the Ogalla aquifer is losing its ability to sustain agriculture? 4. What other climate changes could lead to a new dust bowl? 5. What can we learn from the 1930’s dust bowl that would help us prevent another dust bowl from occurring? 6. Is the present day economy better equipped to handle a new dust bowl?	Peer discussion of each others thoughts: Individual questions:
Part 3: Problem Statement	Part 3: Problem Statement	Part 3: Problem Statement	Part 3: Problem Statement
		Team 13^th Floor will conduct extensive research and work with NASA to develop a policy concerning the most precious resource, water. Our research will assist us in understanding how we could prevent a new dust bowl.
Part 4: Investigation	Part 4: Investigation	Part 4: Investigation	Part 4: Investigation
		E>H Dust storms deposit dirt into local rivers, lakes, streams etc. entirely removing hydrosphere ecosystems. E>A>B Dirt and dust carried by windstorms fill the atmosphere making it impossible to see and breathe. A>E Changes in weather patterns lead to severe drought effectively triggering the dust bowl. L>E Removal of grasslands and over farming create the perfect recipe for a dust storm. E>B The dust bowl disaster kills many animals, including humans, and forces many more to flee their homelands.