Originally produced in support of the 2016 Earth Science Week theme of “Our Shared Geoheritage,” this collection of articles and images from NASA’s Earth Observatory looks at over 60 of America’s National Parks. Learners can explore three... (View More) facets of our parks from the vantage point of space: geology, ecology and/or cultural history. Each of the three includes an introduction and guiding questions. The articles can be used to engage and generate student interest in a related phenomenon or topic at the beginning of lessons or units, or used throughout as supplemental activities. The “Educators” link at the top of each section provides additional strategies and suggestions for using the articles. (View Less)

The pedosphere (soil) is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining program module. Protocols for investigating soil temperature, moisture, characterization, density and infiltration are explained. In addition, each module includes interactive digital field... (View More) and lab experiences, and online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

The biosphere- that part of Earth's land, water and atmosphere that supports life- is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining program module. Protocols for classifying land cover, performing biometric field studies and measuring green-up and green-down... (View More) are explained. In addition, each protocol module includes interactive digital field and lab experiences along with online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

The hydrosphere (water, ice, and vapor) is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining module. Protocols for investigating many characteristics of water such as temperature, transparency, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrates, and... (View More) identifying mosquito larvae are explained. In addition, each module includes interactive digital field and lab experiences, and online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. In addition, each module also includes interactive digital field and lab experiences, and online assessments. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

This unit consists of five activities, all of which focus on the response of plant life-cycle events to climate change. Students participate in discussions, field observations, data collection and analyses, plant identification, seed dispersal... (View More) comparisons, and graphing and analyses of plant phenology (timing of life-cycle events). Project BudBurst, a citizen science project which studies the impact of climate change on phenology, is integrated into this unit. The unit is one of four under the Chicago Botanic Garden curriculum entitled, "Climate Change in My Backyard." (View Less)

This curriculum uses an inquiry-based Earth system science approach, and leverages Project BudBurst, a citizen science phenology project, to engage students in authentic research on plant and ecosystem responses to climate change. Students collect... (View More) local data then analyze that data in the context of NASA regional and global data sets and satellite imagery to understand their data in personal, regional, and global contexts. The curriculum is divided into four units: The Earth as a System; Identifying the key changing conditions of the Earth system; Earth system responses to natural and human induced changes; and Predicting the consequences of changes for human civilization. Each unit consists of several activities with accompanying teacher answer sheets. (View Less)

This curriculum uses an inquiry-based Earth system science approach, and leverages Project BudBurst, a citizen science phenology project, to engage students in authentic research on plant and ecosystem responses to climate change. Students collect... (View More) local data then analyze that data in the context of NASA regional and global data sets and satellite imagery to understand their data in personal, regional, and global contexts. The curriculum is divided into four units: The Earth as a System; Identifying the key changing conditions of the Earth system; Earth system responses to natural and human induced changes; and Predicting the consequences of changes for human civilization. Each unit consists of several activities with accompanying teacher answer sheets. (View Less)

In this unit, students investigate temperature cycles, tree rings, CO2 records, and the effects of CO2 on temperature, precipitation and cloud cover to determine the impacts of changing climate on forests. After gathering and analyzing local data,... (View More) students examine regional impacts and differences. The unit is one of four under the Chicago Botanic Garden curriculum entitled, "Climate Change in My Backyard." (View Less)

This unit focuses on local plant species; students learn to identify common species and will examine their life cycle characteristics as evidence of climate change. Through the use of the national citizen science project titled Project BudBurst,... (View More) students explore the impacts of climate variation on plant species distribution. The unit is one of four under the Chicago Botanic Garden curriculum entitled, "Climate Change in My Backyard." (View Less)

This unit consists of two parts, each with several activities which require students to participate in investigations, discussions, computer data analysis, role-playing, and research. In Part 1, students examine the roles of Earth's energy balance... (View More) and the greenhouse effect in creating and affecting climate. Part 2 focuses on the biosphere as a system. Students examine the interactions of organisms, the effects of climate change on food webs, and the importance to humans of a healthy, intact ecosystem. The unit is one of four under the Chicago Botanic Garden curriculum entitled, "Climate Change in My Backyard." (View Less)