Tropical Atlantic Aerosols
http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/preview_lesson.php?&passid=56
http://mynasadata.larc.nasa.gov/preview_lesson.php?&passid=56
Rex Roettger, NASA - My NASA Data Collection
Activity takes about one 50-minute class period. Computer access is very desirable for effectiveness of lesson
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Topics
Grade Level
CLEAN educators think that this is not a middle school activity as stated.
Regional Focus
Climate Literacy
About Teaching Climate Literacy
2e 
2eAirborne particulates, called "aerosols," have a complex effect on Earth’s energy balance: they can cause both cooling, by reflecting incoming sunlight back out to space, and warming, by absorbing and releasing heat energy in the atmosphere. Small solid and liquid particles can be lofted into the atmosphere through a variety of natural and man-made processes, including volcanic eruptions, sea spray, forest fires, and emissions generated through human activities.
Other materials addressing 2e
Energy Literacy
Earth's weather and climate is mostly driven by energy from the Sun.
2.3 Earth's climate driven by the Sun.
Greenhouse gases affect energy flow through the Earth system.
2.6 Greenhouse gases affect energy flow.
Physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow through the Earth system.
Physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow .
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.
1. Questioning, Analysis and Interpretation Skills:E) Organizing information
Other materials addressing:
E) Organizing information.
Other materials addressing:
E) Organizing information.
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.
Notes From Our Reviewers
The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness.
Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- Students should have access to maps, atlases, and globes.
- Educator might want to get the graphs and other documents ahead of time, but students need to view color graphs in color. Educator needs either color copy or computers to view. Graphs are preferably viewed on a computer.
- Extension activity poses the question: "Will the data of aerosols and hurricanes show a relationship?" The trend is not easily identifiable, thus the inquiry-style lesson. Educator should expect to guide students' ideas as they examine the data.
- To reduce in-class activity time and preserve all lesson objectives, have students look at all links the night before.
- In order to complete activity in suggested time frame (50-minute class session), educator should download all documents for students, but this may take away from the data exploration objective of the lesson.
About the Science
- The use of Earth Observatory and NASA Data makes for excellent learning.
- A great way to reach understanding of radiative effects of aerosols, implications to climate, and NASA satellite observations.
- A lot of background information and data sources are provided.
- Comment from scientist: Not an appropriate description that dust leads to clouds which lead to storm formation. Needs clarification by educator.
About the Pedagogy
- Educator can download attached PDF teaching tips.
- Educator should be trained or experienced in inquiry-style teaching due to the open-endedness of the lesson.
- Students will need familiarity with computers to navigate the lesson.
- This resource engages students in using scientific data.
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