Students will launch the campus microclimate investigation by observing environmental differences, examining the authentic shade-tree challenge, and drafting sensor-answerable questions for later refinement.

Students will investigate possible campus microclimates, refine a sensor-testable question and hypothesis, and produce a peer-reviewed plan for consistent temperature and humidity measurements. This phase completes the planning component of the Schoolyard Weather Data Project; sensor installation, three-week data collection, programming, dashboard construction, and the final recommendation remain scheduled for later phases.

Students will install campus temperature and humidity sensors, collect traceable readings, and develop programs that store, sort, and check their data. The source calls for three weeks of collection, which cannot be completed within this five-day phase; sensors must continue logging after Day 13 so later work can use the full dataset.

Students will transform collected sensor readings into an interactive campus weather dashboard, investigate patterns and uncertainties, and develop an evidence-based shade-tree recommendation for the showcase.

Students will refine, present, and defend their interactive campus weather dashboards and shade-tree recommendations to an authentic school audience, then document their conclusions and remaining uncertainty.