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Earth Explorer Series
 
Who are NASA's Earth Explorers? The elementary school student wondering how El Niño will affect tomorrow's weather. The scientist studying connections between ozone and climate change. And the farmer using satellite pictures to keep track of crops. All of these people are Earth Explorers -- they are all curious about the Earth system. This monthly series will introduce you to NASA Earth Explorers, young and old, with many backgrounds and interests.

Looking for Space Science Explorers?

Check out the Space Science Explorers series to learn about scientists, engineers, educators and students who strive to know more about our solar system and universe.
› Space Science Explorer Series


Jennifer Evans and four of her students 06.13.12 - Connecting Science and Culture
Elementary teacher Jennifer Evans uses NASA materials to teach students about science and how it connects to their lives.
For Educators



Duane Waliser at a glacier 03.28.12 - The Puzzles of Weather and Climate Patterns
NASA scientist Duane Waliser investigates the weather and climate patterns that affect our planet.
For Educators



Dorothy Peteet stands in a field of flowers with snowy mountains in background 02.29.12 - Exploring the Past Through Plants
NASA biologist Dorothy Peteet uses plants to reconstruct past climates and understand what our future climate may be.
For Educators



Chris Justice walks through smoke on a dirt road 02.23.12 - From Forests to Fires: Watching the World's Resources
NASA geographer Chris Justice uses satellite instruments to monitor global fires and human-environment interactions.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Mark Chandler 01.04.12 - Piloting a Modern-Day Time Machine
Mark Chandler uses past climates to see what Earth's future climate may be.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Cynthia Rosenzweig 10.12.11 - Earth Science: Putting the Puzzle Together
For NASA's Cynthia Rosenzweig, studying the Earth means knowing that regional processes are all pieces of the same puzzle.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Erika Podest stands next to a sign marking the Arctic Circle 10.12.11 - Making Earth Science Approachable to Communicate Its Importance
NASA's Erika Podest argues that showing how Earth system processes impact our lives is the key to getting more people, including students, involved.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Erica Alston gives two thumbs up as she stands behind a podium 10.12.11 - Daring to Learn the Language of Mathematics
For NASA's Erica Alston, protecting the environment begins with learning mathematics.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Claire Parkinson 10.12.11 - Understanding Earth Starts With STEM
Forty years after her expedition to Antarctica, NASA's Claire Parkinson believes there is still much to learn about Earth and its changing climate.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Cartoon showing Cindi standing on a satellite 10.13.10 - Comic Relief Helps Explain NASA Science
Cindi, a spiky-haired android space girl, helps students visualize a NASA mission that produces no pretty pictures.
For Educators



Tanya Petach sits on a raft in a river 10.05.10 - Petach's Passion for the Unknown
A Colorado high school student thrives on seeking answers to unanswered questions in Earth and space science.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Faisal Hossain 06.29.10 - Using Satellites to Track Water
Faisal Hossain's research group earns an education excellence award.
For Educators



Amanda Hintz crouches near a glowing lava flow 06.22.10 - The Moment a Geologist Was Born
Previously an art major, Amanda Hintz found her true calling on a visit to the world's longest mountain range.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Maggie Masetti stands next to a model of a telescope 10.14.09 - Meet Maggie Masetti
For more than a decade, NASA education and outreach specialist Maggie Masetti has created ways to make teaching and learning science more fun.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Gene Feldman 10.08.09 - Oceans: The Great Unknown
Oceanographer Gene Feldman answers questions about a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands, tells how he first became interested in the oceans, and gives his advice to young scientists.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Marci Delaney talks with students on a tv screen 10.08.09 - Delaney's Digital World
A scientist-turned-educator leads a NASA team that uses technology to bring science to the classroom.
For Educators
For Students:
5-8



Robert Shelton 06.19.09 - Helping the Blind to See Science and Math
Nearly blind since age 11, Robert Shelton uses sound to make science and math more accessible to the visually impaired.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Lucy McFadden 02.24.09 - A Dream Come True
Lucy McFadden goes on an Antarctic adventure.
For Educators
For Students:
K-4 | 5-8



Two girls in scuba gear write on a notepad underwater 11.04.08 - The Scoop on SCUBAnauts
Operation Deep Climb takes students deep down into the ocean and to the top of a tall mountain.
For Educators
For Students: K-4 | 5-8


A flat rover with silver-colored tracks similar to those of an army tank 05.13.08 - Robotic Rovers to the Rescue
Derrick Lampkin is designing suitcase-sized machines to help scientists study subzero settings from warmer confines.
For Educators
For Students: K-4 | 5-8


Four girls stand with their teacher and hold their award certificates 01.03.08 - Snow Day
A science project takes Ohio middle school students to South Africa.
For Educators
For Students: K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Phil Christensen stands in front of a rocket 09.12.07 - Like Mars, Like Earth
Students help Phil Christensen compare rocks from Earth and Mars.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Robert Bindschadler 08.27.07 - The Chills and Thrills of Ice
Robert Bindschadler enjoys the risks and rewards of visiting the world's coldest climates.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Lissa Lyncker stands in knee-deep water as her boat floats in the background 05.02.07 - After Katrina, a Story of Survival and Science
Life and science go on in and around Lake Pontchartrain.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


A large black-and-white bird with a red crest on its head clings to the side of a tree 12.05.06 - The Hunt for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker
A bird's-eye view aids search for a bird once thought extinct.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Picture of a hand pouring water from a glass container into a tray of plants 07.27.06 - Signs of Science
Sign language, fieldwork and technology help explain Earth to the hard-of-hearing.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Large stone buildings on top of a grassy hill 03.30.06 - Making Sense of the Mayan Collapse
Remote sensing reveals secrets of the past and prevents mistakes in the present.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


A painting of wispy clouds in a red, orange and blue sky 12.01.05 - Masterpiece of the Sky
Both as a scientist and as an artist, Graeme Stephens strives to paint an accurate picture of clouds.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


A diver hovers over a bed of seagrass as she scuba dives near the ocean floor 10.06.05 - Equal to the Task
In math and science, oceanographer Heidi Dierssen says women are as capable as men.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Adam Greenbaum sitting at a computer 08.18.05 - Seeing Green
Students and scientists warm up to studying the cooling effects of green roofs.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Sean Triplett 07.14.05 - In the Line of Fire
When it comes to fighting fires, water and manpower are important. But so are satellites and computers.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Picture of Diane Evans sitting on top of a sand dune 06.16.05 - Bringing Space Down to Earth
Diane Evans works to ensure that space technology also has a role here on Earth.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Picture of a harp seal swimming upside down in a deep blue ocean 05.12.05 - Turtles, Dolphins and Seals, Oh My!
Students are hot on the trail of migrating land and marine animals.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Adam Johnson studying the land in Ghana 04.07.05 - Into Africa
Science and history come together for Coppin State researchers visiting Ghana.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


NASA scientist Lee-Lueng Fu smiles while sitting at his computer studying satellite images 03.10.05 - Judging the Ocean by Its Cover
Satellites have provided NASA's Lee-Lueng Fu an ocean of data to work with.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Teacher Mr. Moore stands to the left of a student poster project showing various satellite images of different locations as a student stands to the right of the project 02.17.05 - It Takes a Village
Tomorrow's scientists discover the importance of international cooperation and communication.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Erica Holloman 01.20.05 - World of Opportunity
Two young women are finding their places in the science world.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Students studying their GLOBE cloud charts 12.09.04 - When Bad Things Happen to Good Students
An Iowa town offers support after vandals damage school's weather equipment and steal the thermometer.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


A 14-year-old blind boy named Steven is digging in a container of soil at the Maryland Science Center 11.11.04 - Opening Blind Eyes to Science
Blind-friendly tools allow students to explore Earth in nonvisual ways.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Carlos Del Castillo standing on a boat and holding a metal pole over the water 10.14.04 - The Path That Nearly Wasn't Followed
After conquering seasickness, NASA's Carlos Del Castillo receives presidential award for exploring the oceans.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Students from Drew Freeman Middle School holding certificates they received from the Minority University-Space Interdisciplinary Network 09.09.04 - Starting Young
Think middle and high school students are too young for serious science? Think again.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Photograph of Abigail 08.05.04 - With One Eye on the Sky
Abigail is continuing a family tradition of exploration and discovery.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8
For Students
K-4 | 5-8


Photograph of Dyuti Sengupta holding a handheld computer 08.05.04 - A DEVELOPing Story
Students with NASA's DEVELOP program are helping community leaders tackle important environmental problems.
For Educators
9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
9-12 | Higher Education


Photograph of Anne Douglass 07.08.04 - Meet More Aura Scientists
NASA is set to launch the Aura satellite. Meet more scientists who have made this mission possible.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
9-12 | Higher Education


Pieternel Levelt riding a bike 06.10.04 - Meet the EOS Aura Team
NASA's Aura spacecraft is about to lift off. Earth Explorers introduces you to some of the scientists who have made this mission possible.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Picture of Robbie Hood 05.06.04 - Flying Through Hurricanes with Robbie Hood
This month's NASA Earth Explorer explains what it's like to be face-to-face with one of nature's most powerful storms.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Harry Swan sitting at a computer 04.08.04 - Exploring Earth with EarthKAM
It's true! Student explorers control camera on International Space Station.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Lauren Banister 03.11.04 - Women Earth Explorers
Earth Explorers celebrates Women's History Month.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Marshall Shepherd 02.19.04 - African American Earth Explorers
A scientist, a college student and middle schoolers share their thoughts on becoming NASA Earth Explorers.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Tom Nolan 01.22.04 - Tom Nolan's Excellent Adventure
Once a dolphin show trainer, Tom Nolan is now a NASA Earth Explorer.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education | Informal
For Students
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Chris Hanawalt and Gianna D'Emilio Taking Aerosol Measurements 12.18.03 - The Globe Program: Science in the Sunshine
A team of students traveled to Croatia to present its findings.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12
For Students
5-8 | 9-12


James Rattling Leaf 11.20.03 - Native Views from Space
James Rattling Leaf is helping fellow Native Americans become modern-day Earth explorers.
For Educators
K-4 | 5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education
For Students
5-8 | 9-12 | Higher Education


Picture of NSIP winner Earth Explorer Yimin Yao 10.16.03 - Thacher Scholarship Winners: Where Are They Now?
The NASA Student Involvement Program and the Thacher Scholarship are inspiring a new generation of young explorers.
For Educators
9-12
For Students
9-12
 
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