This 12-page educational comic book introduces readers to the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. Using the Japanese anime art style, the comic book explains the satellite technology and the mission goals and applications. Supplemental... (View More) materials to support the story include an overview of the GPM mission, a description of the satellite and its instruments, examples of the data it collects, descriptions of some of the constellation partners, and a glossary of science terms used in the comic. Links are provided to additional related resources, including a template for learners to create their own comic. The Japanese anime/manga style of art was chosen because the GPM mission is a collaboration between NASA and JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. (View Less)

Fresh water resources- their quantity, location and distribution- are briefly discussed in this two-page article. The article can be used as a "reading to be informed" activity in a stand-alone fashion or can be incorporated into a lesson plan.

The basic chemistry of water, along with a brief glimpse into water's origin on Earth, are discussed in this two page article. The article can be used as a "reading to be informed" activity in a stand-alone fashion or can be incorporated into a... (View More) lesson plan. (View Less)

This lithograph features an image of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite. The back provides an overview of the mission and an explanation of how it builds on the work of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Also included... (View More) are details on the Core Observatory satellite and the role of the partner satellites making up the constellation, a description of the mission's science and its applications, and a list of partnering agencies. (View Less)

This toolkit was designed to help presenters - particularly scientists and engineers - easily present to elementary and middle school audiences and feel confident that the information they are presenting is developmentally-appropriate. The site... (View More) includes PowerPoint presentations on Earth's water cycle, with talking points and suggestions. Best practices are also included for elementary and middle school presentations that provide helpful suggestions before, during, and after the presentation, as well as a list of additional resources. (View Less)

This activity allows participants to build a paper model of the GPM Core Observatory and learn about the technology the satellite uses to measure precipitation from space. Directions explain how to cut, fold and glue the individual pieces together... (View More) to make the model. The accompanying information sheet has details about the systems in the satellite including the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR), the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI), the High Gain Antenna, avionics and star trackers, propulsion system and solar array, as well as a math connection and additional engineering challenges. (View Less)

This resource identifies best practices for giving presentations or talks in middle school classrooms and was developed to help scientists and engineers who have been asked to visit a middle school classroom. It provides helpful suggestions before,... (View More) during, and after the presentation, as well questions for the teacher (e.g., what content do you want me to cover, what have students already learned about this content?). (View Less)

This resource identifies best practices for giving presentations or talks in elementary classrooms and was developed to help scientists and engineers who have been asked to visit an elementary classroom. It provides helpful suggestions before,... (View More) during, and after the presentation, as well questions for the teacher (e.g., what content do you want me to cover, what have students already learned about this content?). (View Less)

This short video (2:01) uses an engaging approach to emphasize the importance of tracking and studying precipitation. The video cast explains how the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission will use a constellation of satellites to achieve... (View More) global coverage, thereby providing scientists with accurate precipitation data from around the world. In addition to the video, the site contains supplemental text which provides background information on the GPM mission. (View Less)

This short video (4:06) provides an overview of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. This mission will set a new standard for precipitation measurements from space by joining forces with countries around the world, to provide... (View More) precipitation data from nine different satellites, creating the GPM Constellation. NASA has partnered with the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA), space agencies in France and India, and the operators of meteorological satellites in Europe and the United States to make this multi-nation mission possible. (View Less)

Students will use NASA's Global Climate Change website to research five of the key indicators (vital signs) of Earth’s climate health. These indicators are: global surface temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations, sea level, Arctic sea ice, and... (View More) land ice. They will use this information, shared in their expert groups, to create an informative poster about their assigned key indicator. The poster will be used by other groups to learn about all five of the key indicators and how Earth scientists use these indicators to analyze changes in Earth’s climate. The lesson plan uses the 5E instructional sequence. (View Less)