This graphic organizer may be used to help students analyze the processes and components of Earth System phenomena.

This photo of Earth taken in December 1968 by the Apollo 8 astronauts was the first time humans were able to see our home planet as an isolated sphere in space.

What are Phytoplankton?

Derived from the Greek words phyto (plant) and plankton (made to wander or drift), phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in watery environments, both salty and fresh.

Review this mapped plot of the historic Ocean Chlorophyll Concentrations of key locations around the world for the period of 1998-2018. Also, consider using the Map Cube to help students with deeper dives into data analysis. Credit: NASA, NOAA

This is the first of a four-part series on the water cycle, which follows the journey of water from the ocean to the atmosphere, to the land, and back again to the ocean. Students review the video and answer questions.

Analyze the first of three graphs of historical ocean data in this series; this mini lesson features salinity values using the interactive tool, FlatMap, created by NASA's Aquarius Mission.

Examine a model and answer questions about dust transport around the world.

This mini-lesson features time-series graphs of monthly averaged salinity, temperature, or density from the surface down to 1500 meters (4921 feet) for six different locations along the northern and southern Atlantic Ocean. A series of questions guides students in their analysis.

Students review the NASA video showing biosphere data over the North Atlantic Ocean as a time series animation displaying a decade of phytoplankton blooms and answer questions that follow.