Students will learn how the COSMIC satellites collect data about the atmosphere by measuring bending radio waves. Electromagnetic radiation, including light and radio waves, bends when it passes through substances with different densities. The amount of bending of radio waves beamed from one satellite to another allows scientists to measure traits of the atmosphere, such as temperature, pressure, and humidity, at different heights.
Resource Type: Activities
Students will learn that data about the atmosphere from satellites helps improve weather monitoring and forecasting.
This Teaching Box combines activities that build middle school student understanding of how satellites help make weather forecasts more accurate through a combination of hands on activities, and analysis of real satellite data.
Resource Type: Activities
Students learn that climate change and its impacts are already being observed.
Recent climate change is already having impacts - from melting Arctic sea ice and glaciers, to the lack of rainfall in the southwest and central United States, and the impacts of sea level rise on coasts worldwide. This teaching box is filled with explorations and readings that help secondary students learn how climate change is affecting the water cycle.
Resource Type: Activities
Students learn that alpine glaciers are shrinking due to warmer atmospheric temperatures associated with climate change
Students learn how projected sea level rise threatens coastal areas.
Students learn that droughts, increasing in intensity due to climate change, impact people in the United States.
Students learn that Arctic sea ice is shrinking due to warmer atmospheric and ocean temperatures as well as the ice-albedo feedback.
Students learn how to observe and describe clouds.