Observing Solar Energy

Provided by: My NASA Data |Published on: October 19, 2023

Lesson Plans

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Synopsis

This lesson plan includes a series of map visualizations representing albedo values, in which students analyze changes in albedo throughout different regions and across different seasons, looking first at the world and then focusing on Chicago, Illinois.
There is a video and linked resources that can help students understand the scientific concept of albedo before they analyze different albedo values on the maps.
There are teacher keys, student worksheets, facilitation suggestions, a Google Slides deck, and optional Google Forms answer sheets included in the lesson plan, resulting in a lesson that is ready for immediate use.

Related Teaching Resources

Subjects: Physics, Earth and Space Sciences

Authors: My NASA Data

Region: Global, Illinois

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

This activity is a great example of scientific inquiry, as students analyze graphs, make predictions, and support their claims with evidence as they discuss the data contained on the world maps.
If students are local to the Midwest United States, using Chicago as an example to visualize seasonal variation in albedo is an excellent and relevant choice.
The teaching facilitation tips help guide students through making data comparisons, inferences, and reflections based on the albedo maps.

Prerequisites

Students should be familiar with the difference between the absorption and reflection of solar energy.
Students should be able to compare ratios.

Differentiation & Implementation

To ensure students understand the concept of albedo before completing this activity, consider running some mini experiments in the classroom to investigate the absorption or reflection of different surfaces in the schoolyard.
Before completing this activity, ask students to predict how they think albedo might be different in different regions of the United States or during different times of the year.
If using the student worksheet in your classroom, consider guiding students with some sentence starters or structure to record their observations beneath each map that they analyze.
As an extension, have students complete an albedo lab using thermometers, ice, and different surfaces to compare temperature and ice melt.
Students will practice discussing data that is presented in a unique way, by albedo ratio, rather than a standard unit. This can help integrate this resource into a math class.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

My NASA Data

NASA offers petabytes of global Earth science data collected from satellites, but accessing these data in a traditional (or virtual) science classroom can be tricky. Since 2004, My NASA Data has supported students and teachers of grades 3-12 in analyzing and interpreting NASA mission data.

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

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