Examine (daytime) surface temperature and solar radiation received at locations found near similar latitudes using NASA Data.

Students explore albedo, sea ice, and the relationship between changing albedo and changing sea ice using data visualizations. 

Students explore positive feedback effects of changing albedo from melting Arctic sea ice.

Students consider the impact of changing conditions on the remote island of Little Diomede, Alaska after they investigate the relationship between seasonal trends in sea ice extent with shortwave and longwave radiation flux described in Earth’s energy budget.

Guided by the 5E model, this lesson allows students to work together to uncover how changes in sea ice extent in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are connected to Earth’s energy budget.

Students develop and test a hypothesis about how albedo affects temperature.

This mini lesson helps students visualize how the Hydrosphere and Cryosphere interact to produce changes in land and sea ice.