Scientists and engineers use and develop models for representing ideas and explanations.

The activities in this guide will help students understand variations in environmental parameters by examining connections among different phenomena measured on local, regional and global scales.

Watch the NOVA PBS video - The Climate Wild Card about the different effects of clouds on climate and Earth's energy budget. Then answer questions and brainstorm to complete a flow chart of events that might occur if the percentage of absorbing clouds increases.

Students will analyze a pie chart (circle graph) showing the distribution of different parts of the Earth system the in absorption and reflection of energy. 

This lesson is designed to help students analyze the interaction between different cloud types and Earth's incoming and outgoing energy. 

Students observe monthly images of changing vegetation patterns, looking for seasonal changes occurring throughout 2017. These data can be used by students to develop their own models of change.

Dr. Patrick Taylor (Atmospheric Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center) discusses how he studies clouds and Earth's energy budget by analyzing data from Low Earth Orbit satellites. He also discusses the different effects of clouds on the energy budget.