This activity allows students to use radiosonde data from a weather balloon launch to distinguish the characteristics of the lower atmosphere. Full description.

This is a hands-on demonstration of the communication path between the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) satellite and a scientist on Earth, where students play the parts of various satellites, ground stations, and science centers. The module includes a Java applet animation of the Satellite data flow and background information on the various communication links. The purpose of this lesson plan ... Full description.

This resource consists of four modules with teachers? guides: 1) Temperature Variations and Habitability, 2) Modeling Hot and Cold Planets, 3) Using Mathematical Models to Investigate Planetary Habitability, and 4) How Do Atmospheres Affect Planetary Atmospheres. Scientific inquiry and the research tools used to do research play a major role in these modules. Presented with a science problem, students ... Full description.

In this lesson, students use the Live Access Server to explore data from the Arctic, develop relationships between parameters and make conclusions based on the collected evidence. Detailed procedure, materials list, vocabulary linked to an online glossary, and Teachers Notes are provided. Full description.

This educators guide uses NASA's mission to Saturn (Cassini-Huygens) to provide a real-world context for learning fundamental, standards-based concepts in science. It includes six constructivist lessons, FAQ, and a variety of connections to art, literature, and mythology. Full description.

This chapter describes how to set a scale and measure distances and areas on satellite images. Using ImageJ, a freely available image analysis program that runs on most operating systems, users set the spatial calibration of an image, then select and measure distances and areas on it. The measurement results are reported in real-world units. The technique is most useful and accurate for nadir view ... Full description.

This lesson plan uses NASA satellite data to contrast amounts of cloud coverage over different climate regions in Africa. It introduces the circulation pattern of Hadley Cells and the band of convergence and convection called the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The lesson also discusses how frequent cloud cover and precipitation occur along the ITCZ and how climate affects the people living ... Full description.

This lesson plan uses NASA Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instrument percent coverage surface data with a world map to locate landmasses and bodies of water at the Earth's Equator. When using satellites to study Earth system processes, especially atmospheric processes, it is important to know what is the background that one is seeing on the Earth. This lesson provides an introduction ... Full description.

In this product, students engage in processes/activities for collaboration and communication strategies. Students compare risks of courses of action confronting NASA's Deep Impact mission team. They investigate information necessary to support arguments, quantitative risk analyses, debate, role play, persuasive writing/communication skills and group decision making procedures. This activity has been ... Full description.