This lesson plan provides instructions for several activities for students to perform to study the relationship of temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and dew point in cloud formation. The lesson involves graphing of weather balloon data using a spreadsheet program. Full description.

This activity introduces students to planetary research. Students learn to focus on details by studying and writing descriptions of uncaptioned images of the Solar System. They then increase their knowledge of the planets and their features by comparing their descriptions to those of real researchers. Students organize their findings to infer a key difference between inner and outer planets. Full description.

This chapter from the Earth Exploration Toolbook guides users through the process of locating and graphing Web-based environmental data that has been collected by students who participate in the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. Basic concepts in Earth system science are explored as students investigate a specific case study. The GLOBE Graphing Tool is used ... Full description.

In this lesson, students download cloud and surface data from the NASA Clouds and Earth?s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Students? Cloud Observations On-Line (S?COOL) student observation database Web site, then develop and compare graphs to explore the relationships between surface temperature, pressure, and humidity. Students then investigate possible patterns in cloud-types and the surface conditions ... Full description.

This module engages students in the use of a clean room and in the planning of assembly of solar collector wafers for the Genesis space mission. They will work in production design teams to explore how the Genesis spacecraft will collect bulk solar wind with the collector arrays and learn to work as a team in a restrictive environment. The module includes several activities with accompanying video ... Full description.

This inquiry-based, classroom activity explores the impact of climate change and variability on forests. It focuses on the impact of climate change on a sugar maple farm in New England. The scenario invites students to examine higher-level issues of climate variability and change by creating a practical, scientifically-sound model to address specific points of a localized socioeconomic situation. Full description.

This curriculum packet contains three inquiry-based classroom activities that explore the potential impact of climate variability and change on Earth's most abundant resource: water. Although each activity is designed to tap specific skills and knowledge to yield scientific results, the broader intent is to stimulate thought about the long-term impacts of a warmer planet. 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 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.