Digital Library for Earth System Education
Digital Library for Earth System EducationNot a member yet
13995 research outputs found
Sort by
Elementary GLOBE Unit: Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds
Get PDFIn this activity, the GLOBE Kids wonder why the hummingbirds have stopped visiting their school garden. They conduct an investigation, learning more about hummingbird needs, seasonal changes at their school, and what it's like in Costa Rica where the birds spend the winter. In Activity 1, 'All Year Long', students will learn about seasonal changes in a local habitat. They will learn how to make detailed observations, record their results, make comparisons, and share information with others. In Activity 2, 'The Colors of the Seasons', students will understand how colors in nature relate to their local environment and to seasonal changes within that environment. In Activity 3, 'Honing in on Hummingbirds', students will learn about ruby-throated hummingbirds. They will also gain experience researching a topic they choose related to hummingbirds and communicating their results in several formats. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary
MY NASA DATA Lesson Plan: State of the Atmosphere-Interpreting Weather Observations
No full textThis lesson plan provides instructions for several activities for students to perform to study the relationship of temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and dew point in cloud formation. The lesson involves graphing of weather balloon data using a spreadsheet program. Educational levels: Middle school, High school
Using the WRF Mesoscale Model
No full textThis module provides insights on how to best use WRF mesoscale model guidance in the forecast process. Using two cases in southwest Asia where AFWA WRF is currently in use, it examines improvements offered by the WRF for forecasting fronts, topographic impacts, precipitation type, and hazards to aviation. The module also discusses some mesoscale model limitations, and offers strategies for transitioning between using mesoscale and global NWP guidance for medium-range forecasts, even when the models differ significantly. Educational levels: Graduate or professional
Skew-T Mastery
No full textMeteorologists typically examine atmospheric soundings in the course of preparing a weather forecast. The skew-T / log-P diagram provides the preferred method for analyzing these soundings. This module comprehensively examines the use of the skew-T diagram. It explores thermodynamic properties, convective parameters, stability assessment, and several forecast applications. The module is designed for both instruction and reference. It also comes with an interactive Web-based skew-T diagram that calculates several common forecast parameters. Educational levels: Graduate or professional
Does cloud type affect rainfall?
No full textScientists have studied the physical properties of clouds and have developed instruments onboard satellites to characterize the types of clouds they see below. Some satellites have instruments that allow them to measure rainfall as well. For this lesson, students will hypothesize what types of clouds they believe will create the most precipitation (rainfall) over Nashville, TN. Students use the Live Access Server (LAS) to obtain Cloud Coverage data that represents what percentage of the sky is covered by a certain type of cloud. They then compare the cloud coverage data to precipitation data provided by the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center. The lesson provides detailed procedure, related links, sample graphs, follow-up questions, extensions, and teacher notes. Educational levels: Middle school, High school
Museum of the Earth
No full textThe Museum of the Earth is a natural history museum that stresses the interdependence of the Earth and its life, fostering public understanding of the environment and Earth's past, present and future. The museum is an exhibit facility for one of the nation's largest fossil collections, providing a resource for the public, teachers and students. It serves regional and national audiences by disseminating educational materials as well as promoting best practices and collaboration among providers of informal Earth system education. Educational levels: Informal education, General public
MY NASA DATA Brochure
Get PDFThis trifold brochure explains the MY NASA DATA project for K-12 educators and citizen scientists. The brochure covers topics such as What is a microset? What kind of microsets are available? Sample Graphs. Educational Resources and Standards. How can I get help? and What is Required? It also provides contact information and guidelines on the various ways to participate in the MY NASA DATA community. The project is part of NASA's Research Education and Applications Solutions Network (REASoN) program. Brochure is available in color or black & white. Educational levels: Primary elementary, Intermediate elementary, Middle school, High school
Microwave Remote Sensing: Clouds, Precipitation, and Water Vapor
No full textThis module provides an introduction to polar-orbiting-satellite-based microwave remote sensing products that depict moisture and precipitation in the atmosphere. The module begins with definitions and descriptions of total precipitable water and cloud liquid water products, contrasting each with more familiar infrared water vapor and window channel products. This is followed by an overview of microwave precipitation estimation and a discussion of how polar-satellite products compare with those from geostationary satellites and ground-based radar. A series of case examples highlights potential weather forecasting applications for total precipitable water and precipitation products. The module also includes an introduction to the Global Precipitation Monitoring Mission to which future NPOESS satellites will be an important contributor. This module takes about 75 minutes to complete. Educational levels: Graduate or professional
MY NASA DATA: Trends in Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska
No full textThis lesson is designed to help students gain knowledge in using the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS) to specify and download a microset of data, and then to use the data to compare NASA satellite observations data with surface measurements of snow cover and temperature. Students will obtain snow cover and surface temperature data for a locale in Alaska, plot the data, and then investigate seasonal trends in snow cover, and the relationship between snow cover and surface temperature at that locale. The lesson provides detailed procedure, related links and sample graphs, follow-up questions and extensions, and Teacher Notes. Educational levels: High school
MY NASA DATA Lesson Plan: A Comparison of Cloud Coverage over Africa
No full textThis lesson plan uses NASA satellite data to contrast amounts of cloud coverage over different climate regions in Africa. It introduces the circulation pattern of Hadley Cells and the band of convergence and convection called the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The lesson also discusses how frequent cloud cover and precipitation occur along the ITCZ and how climate affects the people living within its regions, particularly Aswan, Egypt and Kampala, Uganda. Educational levels: High school, Middle school