Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using My Nasa Data To Determine Volcanic Activity

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use NASA satellite data of optical depth as a tool to determine volcanic activity on Reunion Island during 2000-2001. They access the data and utilize Excel to create a graph that has optical depth as a function of time for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Patterns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils use yearly averages over a five-year period to understand weather trends for a specific area.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Shadows

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners classify clouds as transparent, translucent or opaque. They conduct an experiment to determine the visual opacity of several classroom objects and then conduct further observations of clouds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Databases

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students complete a unit on clouds and a report about one type of cloud. They collect data through observation about different types of cloud cover and then create a spreadsheet to reflect their observations over a 2 week period.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Super Scientists Code

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science activity, students use the key code on the right to unscramble each of the scientists. They also match each of the scientists found to their correct description.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day and Night

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students using experiments try to demonstrate how observations can be affected by the cycles of night and day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Ride Sharing?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discover the concept of ride sharing. They discuss how it helps the environment. They use the internet to gather information as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify and define evaporation, condensation, precipitation and also, how these interact to complete the water cycle. They identify that water moves in a contimuous cycle, which is powered by the sun. Finally, students name...
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Atmosphere and Oceans: Factors That Control Earth's Temperature

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of how temperature is affected by the composition of the atmosphere and how energy flows in and out of Earth's atmosphere.
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Interactions Within Earth's Atmospheres

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using computational models, students investigate the interaction between greenhouse gases, solar radiation, and the Earth's surface for the impact on climate. They then look at data on atmospheric carbon dioxide to analyze changes in...
Handout
Indiana University

Indiana Univ.: Global Energy Transfer, Atmosphere and Ocean Circulation, Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
A course lecture on the external processes that shape the Earth, specifically the hydrologic system. This system is powered by the Sun's energy. The components of the Earth's energy budget are described, and how these drive the movement...
Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to Earth's atmosphere. Topics covered in the overview include structure of the atmosphere, composition of the atmosphere, energy balance of...
Website
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Introduction to the Atmosphere

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Earth's atmosphere, with explanations about atmospheric properties, the structure of the atmosphere, its four layers, atmospheric processes, energy heat transfer, conduction and convection, and radiation. All...
PPT
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Hhmi: Bio Interactive: Paleoclimate: A History of Change

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history of Earth's climate in this Click and Learn. Learn how many factor control Earth's climate. Specifically, examine two of the most important factors: solar radiation and the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
Unknown Type
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Earth's Energy Sources (Pre Assessment)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A pre-assessment at the beginning of a unit on global atmospheric change. It checks understanding of issues around climate change and the impact it has on the environment and on human health. The lesson and accompanying slideshow can...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: A Guide to the Energy of the Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Energy is neither created nor destroyed - and yet the global demand for it continues to increase. But where does energy come from, and where does it go? This video examines the many ways in which energy cycles through our planet, from...
Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Civil Environmental: Ecology I: The Earth System

For Teachers 9th - 10th
College-level online course highlighting the fundamentals of ecology. Course topics include coevolution of the biosphere, geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere; photosynthesis and respiration; and the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles....
Website
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Atmospheric Science Explorers: Global Climate Change

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of global climate change, with explanations of Earth's climate change, the carbon cycle, ecosystems, and greenhouse gases, and how the movements of matter and energy impact on climate. All information is reinforced...
eBook
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science for Middle School

For Students 6th - 8th
This digital textbook covers core earth science concepts and includes interactive features, real-world examples, videos, and study guides.
Unit Plan
King's Centre for Visualization in Science

Explaining Climate Change: Lesson 4: Climate: A Balancing Act

For Students 9th - 10th
How does the Earth's energy balance regulate climate? This is the fourth lesson in a series of learning modules on the topic of climate change. This lesson explores how different factors can impact the amount of energy that enters and...
Article
Carnegie Mellon University

Telstar: The Sun and Its Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
The sun's energy is the primary source of energy for all surface phenomena and life on Earth. Combined with the material of the Earth (including the molecules held close by the Earth's gravitational force called the atmosphere), this...
Article
Carnegie Mellon University

The Sun and Its Energy

For Students 9th - 10th
The sun's energy is the primary source of energy for all surface phenomena and life on Earth. Combined with the material of the Earth (including the molecules held close by the Earth's gravitational force called the atmosphere), this...
Interactive
Concord Consortium

Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Radiant Energy Flow

For Students 6th - 8th
A virtual lab to look at the physical features of Earth that affect the amount of the Sun's energy that hits Earth. Students investigate how solar and infrared radiations enters and leaves the atmosphere with this model. Virtual lab...
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: The Ionosphere [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
SEC produced several articles to help teachers teach about space weather. This one covers the ionosphere. It covers the characteristics, variability, and scintillation of this layer of the atmosphere. PDF format.