Mini Lesson/Activity
How does the Cryosphere change over the seasons? (Student Activity)
Student Directions
Example Questions for Students:
- Describe the phenomenon you observe.
- What patterns do you see in this model?
- How do Data Visualizers make this video? Where do these ideas come from?
- What are the limits of this model?
- How is this model precise? What benefits are there in using this model?
- What scientific principles are guiding this phenomenon?
- Predict the future of the phenomenon based on the model you've observed.
- What evidence of Earth System interaction (among Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Cryosphere, Geosphere) do you see?
- What question would you like to research based on this model?
Teacher Note
Explore the spatial patterns observed in meteorological data and learn how this information is used to predict weather and understand climate behavior. By observing patterns in data we can classify our observations and investigate underlying cause and effect relationships.
Seen side-by-side, snow and sea ice in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres pulse at exact opposite times of year, constantly out of phase. The extent of yearly change at the extreme poles of our planet is an annual pattern that illustrates that similar forces are at work on distant parts of the Earth. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data from the near-polar-orbiting Terra and Aqua satellites were used for this visualization.
For more information, visit the Arctic Sea Ice Gallery.
Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
Teachers, these mini lessons/student activities are perfect "warm up" tasks that can be used as a hook, bellringer, exit slip, etc.
Supported NGSS Performance Expectations
- 4-ESS2-2: Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features.
- MS-ESS2-4: Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
- MS-ESS2-2: Construct an explanation based on evidence for how geoscience processes have changed Earth's surface at varying time and spatial scales.
- HS-ESS2-4: Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.
- HS-ESS2-2: Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedbacks that cause changes to other Earth systems.
