Provided by: NASA |Published on: November 27, 2023
Lesson Plans
45678
Synopsis
In this lesson, students will examine how NASA remotely detects wildfires from space, how they display satellite data about the Earth's climate, and information about three Californian wildfires of the 21st century.
Students will engage in a classroom activity that is hands-on and informative, complete a worksheet that gauges their comprehension of the lesson's material, and explore interactive media that provides a deeper understanding of how NASA monitors the Earth's climate.
Students will study data from the Powerhouse Fire in Los Angeles, the Rim Fire in Northern California, and the July Complex Fire in Northern California.
This lesson allows students to use their mobile devices productively.
The materials in this lesson are easy to obtain.
Additional Prerequisites
Internet access is required to administer this lesson.
Students must work in groups of 2-4 to complete the lesson.
The Eyes on Earth app has changed since the instructions in the resource were written. Explore the tool before guiding students through the activity.
Differentiation
To assess prior knowledge, the class can discuss satellites and their purposes.
This lesson can fit within a larger unit on human efforts to monitor climate change.
This lesson can enhance a classroom discussion on the increased frequency of wildfires in the past 20 years, why this increase is happening, and the impacts of wildfires on the environment.
Students in language arts classes can read narratives about those who experienced wildfires.
Some students may struggle to hold the mobile device consistently level and at the same height. These students may benefit from a stand, tripod, or other assistance.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
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Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
