Grade Level: 3-5,
6-8
Students will analyze a pie chart (circle graph) showing the distribution of different parts of the Earth system's absorption and reflection of energy.
loading Earth as a System...
Featured Mini Lessons
Examining a Simplified Model of Cloud Effects on Earth’s Energy Budget
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
This lesson is designed to help students analyze the interaction between different cloud heights and Earth's incoming and outgoing energy.
Earth's Heating Imbalances
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Students will analyze a graph showing the amounts of peak energy received at local noon each day over the year changes with different latitudes.
Evaluating Natural and Human Activities Effects on Earth's Climate
Grade Level: 9-12
In this mini lesson, students analyze a bar graph showing the relative forcings from natural and human factors that affect Earth's climate. They use information from this graph to assess the relative importance of these factors.
Describing Radiation in Earth’s Energy Budget
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Using an infographic, students describe differences in electromagnetic radiation that is part of a model of Earth’s energy budget by applying the defined terms of Shortwave Radiation and Longwave Radiation.
Correlating Shortwave Radiation and Cloud Coverage
Grade Level: 6-8
Students differentiate between data sets of monthly shortwave radiation and monthly cloud coverage to discover a relationship between radiation and clouds by answering analysis questions.
Clouds and Climate Impacts
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Students watch a NOVA PBS video about the different effects of clouds on climate and Earth's energy budget. Then they answer questions and brainstorm to complete a flow chart of events that might occur if the percentage of absorbing clouds increases.
Analyzing Earth’s Energy Imbalance by Latitude and Month
Grade Level: 9-12
Students will analyze a graph showing the variation of energy imbalance on Earth over the year along different latitudinal zones and answer the questions that follow.
Exploring Cryosphere Seasonal Thaw and Energy Budget
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Students analyze two North Pole orthographic data visualizations produced from soil moisture data.
Earth's Energy Budget Mini Lesson list
Grade Level: 6-8,
9-12
Students watch a video and answer questions on Dr. Patrick Taylor (Atmospheric Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center) as he discusses the study of clouds and Earth's energy budget by analyzing data from Low Earth Orbit satellites.
Grade Level: 6-8,
9-12
Students watch a short video to gather information about sources of methane emissions and then extend their understanding of these sources to evaluate monthly trends in the Alaska region, ultimately making connections to Earth’s energy budget.
