This Java applet simulates the energy intake of our atmosphere during the day and the loss of energy at night. Users can vary the intensity of the sun during the day. A tub of water fills up symbolically showing the energy intake of our atmosphere. At the end of the simulation students are asked to answer several questions. Full description.

This resource explores winter weather and frozen precipitation. The page on precipitation points out that snow and rain are both water and explains how the different forms of frozen precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain) occur. There is a page on cirrus clouds that explains their characterstics and how they may affect climate by reflecting solar radiation or reducing outgoing infrared energy from ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on the weather conditions on other planets. After learning more about weather patterns, students research the weather on a given planet and create a visual display of the conditions there. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, and vocabulary. ... Full description.

This section of the Windows to the Universe web site provides information and images about Earth's atmosphere including detailed information about the layers of Earth's atmosphere, the greenhouse effect, and weather. Windows to the Universe is a user-friendly learning system pertaining to the Earth and Space sciences. The objective of this project is to develop an innovative and engaging web site ... Full description.

This unit includes classroom activities to help students understand global warming and its possible effects on human beings. Lessons in the unit provide students with opportunities to study global climate changes, discuss and debate the current arguments for and against global warming and the Greenhouse Effect, investigate the possibility of global warming and the Greenhouse Effect, and present their ... Full description.

This applet enables the user to create snowflakes from different crystals by choosing different temperature zones within a cloud. The crystal grows with each click of the mouse. Moving the mouse to a new temperature zone adds on a new layer. Full description.

The Historical Hurricane Tracks tool is an interactive mapping application that allows you to easily search and display Atlantic Basin and East-Central Pacific Basin tropical cyclone data. At this web site you can learn about historical tropical cyclones occurring in different areas located throughout the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. The web site provides information about U.S. coastal ... Full description.

This resource for younger students about the greenhouse effect and global warming is part of a series of information sheets about the atmosphere, climate, and the environment. It begins with an explanation of the natural greenhouse effect of our atmosphere and the enhancement of the effect by the addition of greenhouse gases. The effects of this global warming on the weather, sea level, farming, and ... Full description.

This site provides a brief overview of processes and properties associated with global climate change and its rate of change, which is of current concern to scientists. The carbon cycle is discussed including its sources, sinks, and release agents along with the fact that it is critical to the biosphere and must continue cycling to support life on Earth. The information at this site should lead students ... Full description.

NASA's Visible Earth is a searchable directory of images, visualizations, and animations of the Earth. The images are also listed under the following categories: agriculture, atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, human dimensions, hydrosphere, land surface, oceans, radiance or imagery, solid earth, locations, and satellites. Accompanying each image are credits, data about the image, the satellite it ... Full description.