Browse 6 - 8 Resources

The GLOBE Earth System Poster Learning Activities

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Weather and Climate, Satellites, Remote Sensing

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D, ESS3.C, ESS3.D, ETS2.B

Keywords:

climate change, cloud coverage, global data sets, models, infrared radiation

Summary:

The activities in this guide will help students understand variations in environmental parameters by examining connections among different phenomena measured on local, regional and global scales.

Citizen Science: Measuring and Sharing Precipitation Data with CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS Volunteers with rain gauges (image credit: CoCoRaHS)

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Water Cycle, Precipitation, Weather and Climate, Data, Freshwater Resources

Type:

Website

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, K - 5, General

Keywords:

rain gauge, citizen science, precipitation measurement, CoCoRaHs

Standards:

ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ESS3.D

Summary:

CoCoRaHS is a Citizen Science organization that helps participants collect and share precipitation data. They also assist teachers in learning how to install and use rain gauges with their students. Learn how to collect and submit measurements to CoCoRaHS

Towers in the Tempest

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Tropical Cyclones, Energy Cycle, Remote Sensing

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

hurricanes, hot towers, TRMM, low pressure

Summary:

'Towers in the Tempest' is a 4.5 minute narrated animation that explains recent scientific insights into how hurricanes intensify. This intensification can be caused by a phenomenon called a 'hot tower'.

Real World: Monitoring Earth's Energy Budget with CERES

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Human Impact, Energy Cycle, Technology, Satellites

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D

Keywords:

energy budget, radiation budget, atmosphere, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, carbon footprint

Summary:

Learn how NASA uses a data-collecting sensor, Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System, or CERES, to study clouds and make accurate measurements of energy leaving Earth.

Real World: Hurricane Hunters

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Tropical Cyclones, STEM Careers, Forecasting

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS3.B

Keywords:

hurricane, temperature, air pressure

Summary:

This NASA video segment focuses on how scientists use satellites to collect data. These sets of data are then analyzed and used to predict storms.

Launchpad: Global Warming - How Humans are Affecting Our Planet

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Climate, Human Impact, Energy Cycle

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS3.D

Keywords:

climate change, greenhouse effect, atmosphere, greenhouse gases, energy budget, radiation budget

Summary:

Learn how the greenhouse effect keeps more of the sun's heat and energy within Earth's atmosphere causing temperatures on Earth to rise. This video explains the effect warmer temperatures are playing on Earth.

Real World: JASON-2

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Climate, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Floods

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.D, ESS3.D, ETS2.A

Keywords:

oceans, El Nino, La Nina, sea level

Summary:

Learn how the satellite, Jason 2, is able to use radar waves to determine the height of sea levels and evaluate the effects of global warming.

The Thermohaline Circulation - The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Water Properties, Earth Systems, Energy Cycle

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.C

Keywords:

ocean, density, salinity, ocean temperature, ocean circulation, thermohaline, ocean currents

Summary:

The oceans are mostly composed of warm salty water near the surface over cold, less salty water in the ocean depths. These two regions don't mix except in certain special areas, which creates a large slow current called the thermohaline circulation.

Satellite Meteorology Learning Modules

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Weather and Climate, Satellites, Societal Applications, Forecasting

Type:

Website

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Keywords:

meteorology, electromagnetic radiation, clouds, NPP, GOES, winds

Standards:

ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ESS3.B, ESS3.C, ETS2.A, ETS2.B

Summary:

Satellite Meteorology learning modules provide scientists and educators with exciting activities and hands-on tools for investigation, inquiry, analysis and stewardship.