A brief article on the role satellites play in studying weather introduces the topic featured in the accompanying game. The game requires players to move tiles to re-create a photo of Earth or space weather. Additional photographs show three weather features. The article and game are targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article describes the multi-camera instrument (Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer or MISR) aboard the Terra Satellite; participants use information from the article to complete a crossword puzzle. A supplemental article entitled, "Clouds and Earth" is included. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article explains the monthly variations in the Moon's appearance as seen from Earth. Directions for using Oreo cookies to illustrate the four major phases of the Moon are provided. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article describes the work being done by scientists to determine the origin of water found in Earth's oceans. A supplemental exploration of the Herschel Space Observatory is included. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article offers a brief definition and description of clouds. Accompanying the article is a short drag-and-drop activity. The supplemental "Learn Cloudspeak" article consists of photographs with direct links to the name and a description of each respective cloud type. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
Players complete five crossword puzzles related to weather. The puzzles are targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article explains the role of the tilt of Earth's axis on seasonal changes. An accompanying exploration dispels the commonly held misconception that distances between the sun and Earth are a factor. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article defines and describes science. A sample experiment outlining the investigation of the autumnal color change of maple leaves is included. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article explains how Earth's atmosphere scatters the light from the sun, thereby creating the blue color we typically associate with our sky. Supplementing this article is an explanation of the importance of scattering sunlight. The article is targeted to children ages 10-12.
In this activity, participants choose a science story theme from a provided list and provide parts of speech as indicated. The program inserts the words into the story script, produces a completed story and provides related science facts. The activity is targeted to children ages 10-12.
This article discusses an example of a practical use of the square root of 2 by explaining how this irrational number figures in printing two pages on one side of A series-sized paper. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.
In a mechanical demonstration of the Pythagorean theorem, this example provides a practical, hands-on method for deriving square roots using a carpenter's square. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.
This activity introduces students to what a digital image is and how it relates to the real world. It involves a simple training exercise on making linear and area measurements using NIH Image software. The activity is part of Exploring the Environment.
This series of ten lessons has been developed to teach students about local and global water issues. They are based on NASA‰Ûªs Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission. The activities are done largely outdoors and include scientific data collection and analysis and integrate technology. Many of the lessons involve data collected based on protocols from the GLOBE Program. Each lesson is designed to take one hour; the lessons build on each other, but can also be used independently. Each lesson topic includes a lesson plan, PowerPoint presentation, student capture sheet and capture sheet answer guide.
This lesson plan focuses on the concepts of atomic number, mass number, isotope, and nuclear atom. A student quiz is included as an assessment instrument. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.
This article describes an approach designed to decrease math anxiety and teach students about the use of mathematical symbols simplifying radicals. A deck of cards is used in a demonstration, and a problem set using real life examples to master the use of radicals is included. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.
This article discusses the differences between ozone in the stratosphere and troposphere, and how NASA is measuring ozone using a spectrometer on-board the Aura satellite. The article includes an activity: building a spectroscope using a DVD cover and inexpensive materials.
This article discusses how the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument found on the Terra satellite is used to understand how particles in the atmosphere interact with sunlight and how particle pollution affects Earth's climate. Directions for building a demonstration model of MISR out of cardboard tubes is included, along with short activities to show how it's multiple viewing angles allow MISR to differentiate the kinds of particles in the air because they scatter light differently, depending on their size, shape, and composition.
In this problem-based learning activity, students are asked to research and make recommendations that balance the benefits of a healthy forest with the economic needs of the people who log it. Students use NIH Image software to analyze satellite imagery from Landsat. This activity is from Exploring the Environment.
In this activity, student teams design and conduct a scientific investigation in which they explore the conditions necessary for life. They conduct observations of environmental conditions both indoor and outdoor, and determine the range of variation they see. They compare these data with published temperature data for Earth, Mars, Pluto and Venus. The activity supports inquiry into the real world challenge of searching for life in extreme environments. The resource includes several student data sheets, data table and images, and a teacher's guide. Materials needed for this activity include weather instruments (e.g., thermometers, barometers, anemometers). This is Activity A of two activities in the first module, titled "Temperature variations and habitability," of the resource, "Earth Climate Course: What Determines a Planet's Climate?" The course aims to help students to develop an understanding of our environment as a system of human and natural processes that result in changes that occur over various space and time scales.