How Do We Receive Energy From the Sun?

Overview

In this interactive, students will identify the forms of energy we receive, analyze patterns in the amount of incoming solar radiation over time, and explain why some locations on Earth have greater variability in the amount of incoming solar radiation throughout a year.

This interactive model is one of a three-part sequence of learning experiences related to Earth's Energy Budget. To maximize optimal learning outcomes, it is suggested to complete the series in the following order:

1. How Do We Receive Energy From the Sun? Interactive Model (current page)
2. Explore Earth's Energy Budget Diagram Interactive Model
3. The Role of Earth's Features in Earth's Energy Budget Interactive Model

This story map is intended to be used with students who have access to a computing device in a 1:1 or 1:2 setting.

Materials Required

Resources Needed Per Student:

• Student Data Sheet or Student Data Form (Optional)
• Computer/Tablet
• Internet Access
• Link to How Do We Receive Energy From the Sun? Interactive Model

Directions

1. Using an internet accessible device, students open the link to the How Do We Receive Energy From the Sun? Interactive Model to begin their exploration of this phenomenon.
2. Distribute the How Do We Receive Energy From the Sun? Interactive Model Student Sheet (optional). Have students navigate on their own through the interactive model to answer the questions and complete the activities on their student sheet.

Teacher Note

Earth strives to maintain a balance between the overall amount of incoming and outgoing energy at the top of the atmosphere. This is called Earth’s energy budget or Earth's radiation budget. Earth receives incoming energy from the Sun. Earth also emits energy back to space. For Earth’s temperature to be stable over long periods of time (for the energy budget to be in balance), the amount incoming energy and outgoing energy must be equal. If incoming energy is more than outgoing energy, Earth will warm. If outgoing energy is greater than incoming energy, Earth will cool.

To learn more, visit:

• The Earth's Energy Budget Phenomena page for background information. 

Virtual Teachers:  Make a copy of the Google Form of your choice so that you may assign it directly from your Google Drive into your Learning Management System (e.g., Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, etc.).  Do you need help incorporating these Google Forms into your Learning Management System?  If so, read this Guide to Using Google Forms with My NASA Data.

Teachers who are interested in receiving the answer key, please complete the Teacher Key Request and Verification Form. We verify that requestors are teachers prior to sending access to the answer keys as we’ve had many students try to pass as teachers to gain access.

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