Effect of the Sun's Energy on the Ocean and Atmosphere
http://icp.giss.nasa.gov/education/radforce/index.html
http://icp.giss.nasa.gov/education/radforce/index.html
Mitch Fox, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Activity takes about three hours of class time. Computer access is required.
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Topics
Grade Level
Activity can be adapted for undergraduate student audiences.
Climate Literacy
About Teaching Climate Literacy
1b 
1bWhen Earth emits the same amount of energy as it absorbs, its energy budget is in balance, and its average temperature remains stable.
Other materials addressing 1b
Sunlight reaching the Earth can heat the land, ocean, and atmosphere. Some of that sunlight is reflected back to space by the surface, clouds, or ice. Much of the sunlight that reaches Earth is absorbed and warms the planet.
Other materials addressing 1a
Energy Literacy
Energy is a quantity that is transferred from system to system.
1.1 Energy is a quantity.
The energy of a system or object that results in its temperature is called thermal energy.
1.2 Thermal energy.
Energy is neither created nor destroyed.
1.3 Energy is neither created nor destroyed.
Energy is a physical quantity that follows precise natural laws.
Energy is a physical quantity.
Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines
1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:C) Collecting information
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
Other materials addressing:
C) Collecting information.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.
2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:C) Energy
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.
Benchmarks for Science Literacy
Learn more about the Benchmarks
Light and other electromagnetic waves can warm objects. How much an object's temperature increases depends on how intense the light striking its surface is, how long the light shines on the object, and how much of the light is absorbed.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- The spatial resolution of the data (2.5x2.5 degrees versus 20x20 degrees) is different than described in the instructions.To alleviate confusion, educators should talk about spatial resolution and tell students that they will be able to select more data points.
- The instructions for the Java applet are incomplete. Prior to class use, it would be useful for educators to create a set of instructions so students know how to access the data. For example: "After bringing up the control panel, select ERBS. Then select year, month, and band, and hit 'go get data.' You will see the message, 'Extraction is coming up.' At this point, click on one of the latitude bands in the map, which will harvest the numerical data."
About the Science
- Very effective use of data.
- While most data is from the 1980s and does not reflect currently calculated energy fluxes, the activity illustrates several important concepts about radiative balance.
- Activity sets up a research type environment for students.
About the Pedagogy
- A problem-based learning activity where students access and graph NASA satellite data (supported by online calculators).
- Activity can be employed as an individual or group activity.
- This activity models how scientists work. Independent action and thought is required to reach stated goals. Collaboration is also necessary for students to be successful in meeting the research challenge.
- This resource engages students in using scientific data.
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