In this activity, users download and graph modeled climate data to explore variability in climate change. Most people know that climate changes are predicted over the next hundred years, but they may not be aware that these changes are likely to... (View More) vary from region to region. Using data from the University of New Hampshire's EOS-WEBSTER, a digital library of Earth Science data, users will obtain annual predictions for minimum temperature, maximum temperature, precipitation, and solar radiation for each of these 5 states: New York, Georgia, Colorado, Minnesota, and California. Data will span the years 2000 through 2100. Users will import the data into Excel and analyze it to see what, if any, regional variability exists. Finally, they will download data for their own state, compare these results with the results from the other 5 states and use their results to answer questions related to climate change. This chapter is part of the Earth Exploration Toolbook (EET). Each EET chapter provides teachers and/or students with direct practice for using scientific tools to analyze Earth science data. Students should begin on the Case Study page. (View Less)

In this engineering challenge, student teams are introduced to the engineering design process, and then construct and test an earthquake-resistant structure. The lesson plan includes teacher support, student worksheets, multimedia assets, and links... (View More) for students to conduct Web-based investigations. Authentic assessments, a multiple choice test, and rubrics are included. This is an optional extension activity associated with the resource, Flight Mission Challenge: Improving Earthquake Monitoring, a 3 part, multiple-day Earth science and engineering investigation. (View Less)

Through an analysis of data sets on four parameters - sea ice totals, sea surface temperatures, near surface temperatures and surface type - students must decide whether the Arctic is experiencing climate change and predict any potential effects on... (View More) the rest of the planet. The activity in this lesson involves card sorting, a technique in which index cards, each containing content or diagrams, are grouped according to unifying concepts. The cards in this lesson contain graphs that students have downloaded, summaries they have written, and questions they have derived from the lesson. The graphs used in this activity show satellite data sets for a location above the Arctic Circle. Students will analyze and group the cards and will then write a conclusion in which they explain the connection between the four parameters, and relate them back to climate change. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, an online glossary, and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics. (View Less)

Satellite data analysis of both ocean currents and sea surface temperatures will allow students to discover the link that exists between them. Students will download data-based maps on which they will determine and then draw directional movement of... (View More) currents. Then, in both groups and individually, they will discuss the relationship between the currents and sea surface temperatures, answer a set of questions, and predict changes in the appearance of the maps if Earth continues its warming trend. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, and an online glossary. (View Less)

The strength of the historic 1997-1999 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event was captured and recorded by NASA Earth observing satellites. By downloading and plotting that satellite data, students will observe and analyze El Niño's effect on... (View More) sea level height and sea surface temperatures. Students will then determine the effects of that same El Niño event on their local environment by downloading and plotting precipitation data for their latitude and longitude. Researching data from beyond the 1997-99 period will also allow students to study the subsequent La Niña. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, an online glossary and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics. (View Less)

Latitude and longitude impact climate. Students will learn this first hand by researching the climate for a specific 10° x 10° quadrant of the country. Students will download data sets on both temperature and precipitation for their quadrant and... (View More) will determine averages for each of those factors. Using that information, students will construct a climatogram (a climate diagram). After analyzing the climatogram, students will prepare a poster and give an oral presentation. The influence on their quadrant's climate of additional factors such as elevation, topography and solar intensity will also be considered. Note: This lesson involves several activities. Following the recommended sequence and timetable, the lesson could take six to ten 50-minute class periods. It is possible to reduce the time commitment by modifying the activities. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extension, an online glossary, and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics. (View Less)

This lesson explores the relationship between the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere available for precipitation and actual precipitation levels. After accessing and graphing the satellite data on both water vapor and precipitation levels,... (View More) students will examine, compare and interpret monthly, seasonal, yearly and/or global patterns. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes sample graphs, related links, extensions, an online glossary, and data analysis tools. (View Less)