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NASA

Nasa Earth Observatory: Global Maps: Net Radiation

For Students 9th - 10th
View a global map from NASA's Earth Observatory that shows net radiation from July 2006 to November 2008. Learn about radiation and the balance between incoming and outgoing energy in the atmosphere.
Unit Plan
Geographypods

Geographypods: Patterns in Environmental Quality and Sustainability

For Students 11th - 12th
This collection of five learning modules looks at issues related to environmental change and sustainability. Topics addressed include changes in the atmosphere, soil, water, and biodiversity, and what can be done to counteract this and...
Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Local and Regional Wind Systems

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about regional and local wind systems, including information on changes in atmospheric pressure, thermal energy in the atmosphere, sea and land breezes, mountain and valley breezes, and monsoon winds.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Energy Challenges

For Students 9th - 10th
With this resource, users join investigators in the exploration of humans' use of and dependence on the many energy resources. Learn about new technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration as an alternative to reduce our carbon...
Lesson Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: The Habitable Planet: Energy Lab

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Try and meet global energy demands by using alternative energy sources while keeping the carbon levels in the atmosphere down to acceptable levels. Simulator includes a data table available for download for student records.
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BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Earth's Energy Sources (Pre Assessment)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A pre-assessment at the beginning of a unit on global atmospheric change. It checks understanding of issues around climate change and the impact it has on the environment and on human health. The lesson and accompanying slideshow can...
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: A Guide to the Energy of the Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
Energy is neither created nor destroyed - and yet the global demand for it continues to increase. But where does energy come from, and where does it go? This video examines the many ways in which energy cycles through our planet, from...
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Rainbow in the Room

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the properties of visible light and the sequence of colors in the spectrum using light shone through water and prisms. The lesson and accompanying slideshow can both be downloaded.
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Finding the Carbon in Sugar

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn that fossil fuels release energy when they are burned, and this takes the forms of light, heat, gases, etc. For this lesson they explore combustion with a candle and with sugar. The lesson and accompanying PowerPoint can...
Unit Plan
Vision Learning

Visionlearning: Atmosphere and Oceans: Factors That Control Earth's Temperature

For Students 9th - 10th
An explanation of how temperature is affected by the composition of the atmosphere and how energy flows in and out of Earth's atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Plugged in to Co2

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students analyze the energy consumption of a household appliance and estimate the amount of carbon dioxide it is adding to the atmosphere each year.
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Interactions Within Earth's Atmospheres

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Using computational models, students investigate the interaction between greenhouse gases, solar radiation, and the Earth's surface for the impact on climate. They then look at data on atmospheric carbon dioxide to analyze changes in...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Tracking Geomagnetic Storms in the Ionosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
The Sun is the ultimate source of the energy that powers weather systems on Earth. Geomagnetic storms are sun-powered storms in the upper atmosphere, arising from energized particles that are periodically ejected by the Sun. Among other...
Website
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Global Climate Change: Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to explore real scientific data relating to the atmosphere. With this information you can gather evidence, test theories, and come to conclusions. Click on the data examples to view a full scale version.
Unit Plan
Florida State University

Florida State University: Magnet Lab: Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (Appi)

For Students 9th - 10th
In the APPI technique, UV light photons are used to ionize sample molecules.
Activity
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Atmospheric Processes: Convection

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a pair of activities to demonstrate convection currents in air and water. Encourages students to view air as a fluid.
Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook, this site examines a variety of topics related to Earth's atmosphere. Topics covered in the overview include structure of the atmosphere, composition of the atmosphere, energy balance of...
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Prairie Public Education Services Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
Prairie Public Education Services award winning documentaries on Germans from Russia focus on the rich history of Germans from Russia and their migration to America. Indian Pride, the 13-part cultural magazine, showcases the unique...
Handout
Oklahoma Mesonet

Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Heat Transfer

For Students 9th - 10th
A discussion from the Oklahoma Climatological Survey of the thermal factors effecting the movement of air masses in the atmosphere. Numerous topics such as methods of heat transfer, latent heat, phase changes (including sublimation and...
Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: How Greenhouse Gases Absorb Heat

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this experiment learners observe two model atmospheres: one with normal atmospheric composition and another with an elevated concentration of CO2. These two contained atmospheres will be exposed to light energy in a sunny window or...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Effect of Atmospheric Circulation on Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how atmospheric circulation cells affect the climate of regions.
Unit Plan
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Ology: Rising Co2! What Can We Do?

For Students 3rd - 5th
With this resource, students learn how much fossil fuel emissions have increased since 1600 by exploring a graph showing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. Then answer questions and read facts about climate change over the centuries....
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Using Heat From the Sun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how solar energy can be harnessed to heat water. The lesson and accompanying PowerPoint can both be downloaded, and the student handout is provided in both English and Spanish.
Lesson Plan
BioEd Online

Bio Ed Online: Fuel for Living Things

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students learn about how cells fuel themselves by examining how carbon dioxide is produced by yeast cells when the cells feed on sugar. The carbon dioxide is detected through the use of a red cabbage indicator that reacts in the presence...