MY NASA DATA Lesson Plans

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Comparison of Snow Cover on Different Continents
Purpose: Students will use the Live Access Server (LAS) to form maps and a numerical text file of snow cover for each continent on a particular date. They will analyze the data for each map and corresponding text file to determine an estimate of snow cover for each continent.
Grade Level: 4-8
Estimated Time for Completing Activity: One 50 minute class period
Learning Outcomes: Gain knowledge in using the Live Access Server Compare measurements from maps and raw data Practice estimating percentages
National Standards: Geography: Places and Regions Math: Number and Operations Math: Data Analysis and Probability Science Content: D Earth and Space Science
Virginia Standards of Learning: ES.3d: The student will investigate and understand how to read and interpret maps, globes, models, charts, and imagery. Key concepts include location by latitude and longitude and topographic profiles.
Prerequisite: Geographical familiarity with the different continents Prior experience with estimating percentages Familiarity with using latitude and longitude and an atlas to locate geographical areas
Tools: Computer with access to the internet Atlas
Vocabulary: ISCCP latitude longitude percentage
Lesson Links: Live Access Server Snowmap Excel file for Extension Activity
Background: The Earth is covered by many different things. For example, a majority of the Earth is covered by water. Some regions of the world are covered in ice. Plants, animals and people that reside in these regions must make special adaptations to their environment. In some of these regions the ice is so thick that it is permanently frozen, while in others the ice grows and retreats in correspondence with seasons. The data used in this lesson comes from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP). ISCCP computes fractional snow and ice coverage by scanning the earth using visible, infrared and microwave imagery.
Procedure: Overview: Students will create maps of the snow cover of each continent for a particular date. They will then compare their image with the text file for that map. From that information they will estimate the percentage of snow cover for each continent. They will then present their information in the form of a letter, a power point presentation, or a brochure. Instructions: 1. Students will be read a letter from Mr. Claus (or similar motivator). Letter: Dear Students, Last year after the holidays I came down with a terrible cold. Mrs. Claus was very upset with me, suggesting I retire. I said I would retire only if more than 75 percent of any continent on the planet (excluding Antarctica) was covered in snow on my big day. Can you write me a report to convince Mrs. Claus that I do not need to retire? Sincerely, Mr. Claus 2. Students will be instructed on how to use the Live Access Server to produce maps and to view the accompanying text files. Directions: Start at the MY NASA DATA home page Go to Data Access Click on Live Access Server Select Dataset: Snow and Ice Data Variable: Monthly Snow Ice Amount (ISCCP) Next Select view: Longitude Latitude Map Select output: Color Plot Select region: North America Date: 15 December 1998 Select options - Palette: range of blues Next Below the map, select open new window for each plot. Return to LAS Change select output: Quick inspection (text) Next 3. Compare the text information to the map. Analyze both to determine the percent of land you would estimate to have snow cover. 4. Record the percentage from the map and the text analysis beside each continent below. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other continents. N. America Europe Austrailia Asia Africa S. America Antarctica (S. Pacific)
Questions: 1. What can you conclude about the snow cover on each continent? 2. What relationships do you see between the maps you have created and the text data? 3. What are some things that could affect the snow cover amounts from year to year?
Extensions: 1. Students may pick out a specific latitude and longitude for a location in the world and create charts or maps for that location. 2. Students may explore other ways of representing the snow cover data using the Live Access Server. For example, one area over a certain span of time. 3. Students may create maps for other months in order to see the difference in snow cover. 4. For students learning Excel or other spreadsheet technology, an Excel file is available in the Lesson Links which contains both snow cover and land mask data. With the land information included, students may calculate the actual percentage of snow cover over a continent of interest.
Lesson plan contributed by DeAnn Scearce, Mount Vernon, IA
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