Observing Solar Energy

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Additional Prerequisites

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

Differentiation

• 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.