The world's surface air temperature is getting warmer. Whether the cause is human activity or natural changes in the Earth System—and the enormous body of evidence says it’s humans—thermometer readings all around the world have risen steadily since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
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. By observing graphs of these variables from three cities, students will construct claims about the seasons using scientific evidence and reasoning.
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 review Earth System phenomena that are affected by soil moisture. They analyze and evaluate maps of seasonal global surface air temperature and soil moisture data from NASA satellites. Building from their observations, students will select a location in the U.S. to extract scientific data and then create Behavior Over Time (BOT) graphs for each variable and communicate their findings.
Examine (daytime) surface temperature and solar radiation received at locations found near similar latitudes using NASA Data.
The extreme temperatures during July 2022 prompt students to investigate a model that displays historical heat wave frequency data to discover the importance of defining terms when interpreting data.
Students will watch and examine a NASA animation of Earth’s rising surface temperatures over an almost 150 year period. They will make connections between rising surface temperatures and the rise of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere with a class discussion and complete a graphic organizer.
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.
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 review Earth System phenomena that are affected by soil moisture. They analyze and evaluate maps of seasonal global surface air temperature and soil moisture data from NASA satellites. Building from their observations, students will select a location in the U.S.
Examine (daytime) surface temperature and solar radiation received at locations found near similar latitudes using NASA Data.
The extreme temperatures during July 2022 prompt students to investigate a model that displays historical heat wave frequency data to discover the importance of defining terms when interpreting data.
Students will watch and examine a NASA animation of Earth’s rising surface temperatures over an almost 150 year period.
