Climate Change Toolkit: Solar Energy & Soil Temperature

Provided by: Paleontological Research Institution |Published on: July 25, 2022

Activity - Outdoors

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Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

This outdoors experiment is an effective way for students to learn how soil absorbs solar energy at various depths, times of day, and during different seasons.
A student data sheet, background information, and instructions to complete the hands-on experiment are included in this resource.

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Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: Paleontological Research Institution

Region: Global

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The resource includes helpful graphs and visuals to aid in explaining the phenomenon of solar energy absorption by soil.
Students collect real data in a simple experiment.

Additional Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the concept of solar radiation and how it can be absorbed or reflected back into the atmosphere.
Students should be able to read and create line graphs.

Differentiation

Consider having students work in pairs and choose a variety of experiment locations or soil types to test.
Have students make predictions about soil temperature gradients before completing the experiment.
Connect this experiment to topics such as insulation, energy efficient building designs, green roofs, animals that burrow under ground, or ancient human remains from caves and other underground locations.
This video from the same organization further explains the phenomenon.
Additional resources to aid in exploring how soil impacts climate are Essentials of Environmental Science: The Importance of Soil and Project Hero Soil Quest.

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About the Partner Provider

Paleontological Research Institution

Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) is a national leader in Earth systems science education. They strive to help make sense of the present and potential future climate change, while also increasing understanding of global change in Earth’s past. Their programs focus on systems thinking, understanding scale and learning in your own backyard.

Scientist Reviewed

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Climate Change Toolkit: Solar Energy & Soil Temperature

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources