Dust storm
Focus Questions
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Where did the recent dust storm begin?
What were the dimensions of it?
What do meteorologists say caused the dust storm?
Why were some people told to stay indoors during the storm?
Describe the impact on farmers.
Why are dust storms more common in country areas than capital cities?
How have farmers tried to reduce wind erosion?
Describe the connection between wind erosion and dust storms.
How have school kids become involved in dust monitoring? How will their
findings be used?
10. Illustrate an aspect of the BtN story.
More about dust
Students will investigate wind erosion and the factors that affect it. They will also
research ways to reduce or manage wind erosion. Brainstorm what students know
about dust storms and wind erosion (a concept map can be used to record students’
responses). Working in small groups, students can generate their own questions to
investigate or the use the following questions to guide their research.
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EPISODE 28
13TH OCTOBER 2009
Learning Area
Science
Key learning
Students will
develop an
understanding of the
impact of wind
erosion and ways
that it can be
reduced.
What are the community issues related to wind erosion?
What factors contribute to wind erosion?
How are soil types related to wind erosion?
What is the relationship between water and wind erosion? (What role does
the drought play?)
What role do plants play in wind erosion?
What are the following wind erosion events; dust storms, dust haze and
local blowing dust?
How can wind erosion be reduced or managed through different farming or
land management techniques?
Discuss with students ways of publishing their research findings. These could
include:
 Digital/multimedia presentation
 Oral report
 An animation
 Brochure
About your research
Students will be reflecting on the research process by responding to the following
© ABC 2009
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questions:
Briefly explain how you planned your research for this investigation.
How did you record your notes from each resource?
How could you improve or develop your information?
Further investigations
Investigate dust storms on other planets. Compare them to those on Earth.
Research the benefits of the Australian Air Quality Forecasting System.
 Related Research Links
ABC Science – Photo gallery of dust storms
http://www.abc.net.au/science/photos/?site=science&gallery=/science/photos/xml/0
9duststorms.xml
ABC 730 Report – Dust storm clouds east coast
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2009/s2694690.htm
ABC News – Students to help record dust storm effects
http://abc.gov.au/news/stories/2006/02/15/1570090.htm
DustWatch website
http://www.dustwatch.edu.au/flashsite.swf
Bureau of Meteorology – East Coast lows and dust storms
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/environ/ec_lows.shtml
CSIRO – Dust, dust and more dust
http://www.csiro.au/resources/dust-storm-animations.html#4
© ABC 2009