Students will analyze surface temperature and solar radiation data to construct explanations about the relationship of seasons and temperature to the amount of solar energy received on Earth’s surface.
Earth as a system - Featured Lessons
My NASA Data (MND) offers new and revised lessons that are aligned with NGSS Earth Systems phenomena that focus on data collection and analysis for grades 3-12. Most of the lessons incorporate maps and data without having to teach students spreadsheet skills, have 1:1 student/computer ratio, or rely on computers that may have outdated/incompatible software.
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Featured Lesson Plans
Seasonal Science: Building Claims from Evidence
Grade Level: 6-8
Students will analyze surface temperature and solar radiation data to construct explanations about the relationship of seasons and temperature to the amount of solar energy received on Earth’s surface.
Comparing Temperature & Solar Radiation for Common Latitudes
Grade Level: 6-8
Examine surface temperature and solar radiation received at locations found near similar latitudes using NASA Data.
Connect the Spheres: Earth Systems
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
This activity was developed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) team as an introductory experience to a series of lessons about water resources on Earth.
Observing Solar Energy
Grade Level: 3-5
Students analyze map visualizations representing the amount of Sun’s energy received on the Earth as indicated by the amount that is reflected back to space, known as “albedo”.
Earth’s Energy Budget-Seasonal Cycles
Grade Level: 9-12
Students move through a series of short activities to explore and evaluate global solar radiation data from NASA satellites. In this process, students make qualitative and quantitative observations about seasonal variations in net energy input to the Earth system.
An Earth System View of Earthrise
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Students are introduced to the Earthrise phenomenon by seeing the Earth as the Apollo 8 astronauts viewed our home planet for the first time from the Moon. They will analyze a time series of mapped plots of Earth science variables that NASA monitors to better understand the Earth Syste
2016-2017 Flipbooks: Earth System Variables
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
NASA visualizers take data – numbers, codes – and turn them into animations people can see and quickly understand. You can become a data visualizer by creating your own flipbook animations using maps of science variables that NASA scientists commonly study to better understand the Earth System.
Air, Water, Land, & Life: A Global Perspective
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
In Part A of this lab, students will examine a variety of images and maps of the whole Earth in order to identify the major components of the Earth system at a global scale.
The Nitrogen Cycle Game
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain an understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and the relevance of nitrogen to living things.
Observing Earth’s Seasonal Changes
Grade Level: 3-5
In this lesson, Observing Earth’s Seasonal Changes, students observe patterns of average snow and ice amounts as they change from one month to another, as well as connect the concepts of the tilt and orbit of the Earth (causing the changing of seasons) with monthly snow/ice data from January 2008
Examine surface temperature and solar radiation received at locations found near similar latitudes using NASA Data.
This activity was developed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) team as an introductory experience to a series of lessons about water resources on Earth.
Students analyze map visualizations representing the amount of Sun’s energy received on the Earth as indicated by the amount that is reflected back to space, known as “albedo”.
Students move through a series of short activities to explore and evaluate global solar radiation data from NASA satellites. In this process, students make qualitative and quantitative observations about seasonal variations in net energy input to the Earth system.
Students are introduced to the Earthrise phenomenon by seeing the Earth as the Apollo 8 astronauts viewed our home planet for the first time from the Moon. They will analyze a time series of mapped plots of Earth science variables that NASA monitors to better understand the Earth Syste
Are you interested in receiving a postcard from NASA Langley Research Center for your classroom or star student?
Consider submitting a digital file of your student's work in this lesson (An Earth System View of Earthrise) and receive a FREE NASA Earth postcard in the mail to your school
NASA visualizers take data – numbers, codes – and turn them into animations people can see and quickly understand. You can become a data visualizer by creating your own flipbook animations using maps of science variables that NASA scientists commonly study to better understand the Earth System.
In Part A of this lab, students will examine a variety of images and maps of the whole Earth in order to identify the major components of the Earth system at a global scale.
Students play the role of nitrogen atoms traveling through the nitrogen cycle to gain an understanding of the varied pathways through the cycle and the relevance of nitrogen to living things.
In this lesson, Observing Earth’s Seasonal Changes, students observe patterns of average snow and ice amounts as they change from one month to another, as well as connect the concepts of the tilt and orbit of the Earth (causing the changing of seasons) with monthly snow/ice data from January 2008
News and Events
MND wants you to check out the new MND lesson plan, An Earth System View of Earthrise. Teachers who conduct the lesson in their classrooms and upload evidence of student work to our
My NASA Data
Sponsored by:
NASA Official: Jessica Taylor
Site Curator: Ashwinraj Ravindran
