Browse GPM Original Resource Resources

Browse GPM Original Resource Resources

A 360 Degree View of Water

Water Falls, a Science on a Sphere film.
Primary Topic: 
All Topics
Type: 
Basic Page
Summary: 
Learn about "Water Falls', the exciting new Science on a Sphere film that tells the story of GPM and the importance of freshwater. Premiering October 2013.

Erosion and Landslides

Erosion and Landslides
Primary Topic: 
Societal Applications
Subtopics: 
Precipitation, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Landslides
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS3.B
Keywords: 
erosion, landslide hazards, landslide risk
Summary: 
Students will investigate the effect of different types of soil on how quickly a landslide occurs and how much mass is moved. They will then relate that information to TRMM/GPM data about rainfall and areas currently at risk of suffering a landslide.

Water in the Biosphere

Water in the Biosphere
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems, Water & Life
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ESS2.E
Keywords: 
biosphere, land cover, plants, biotic
Summary: 
This lesson helps students learn about the biosphere by making observations and using a dichotomous key.

Water in Earth's Hydrosphere

Water in Earth's Hydrosphere
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems, Water & Life
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Keywords: 
hydrosphere, transparency, hydrology, surface water, stream
Summary: 
This lesson helps students learn about the hydrosphere by making observations and collecting data.

Water Falls Pre-Visit Lesson

Water Falls logo
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Earth Systems
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.C
Keywords: 
Reservoir, freshwater, Solar Radiation, Phase change
Summary: 
In this lesson, students will learn about the water cycle. The lesson is intended to be use by teachers before they take their students to view the Science On a Sphere movie, “Water Falls.”

The Water Cycle

The Water Cycle
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere
Summary: 
This activity was developed to give participants an understanding of Earth’s water cycle by completing a webquest and building a model of the water cycle.

Earth's Water

Photo of Earth's oceans from space
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems, Water & Life, Freshwater Resources
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
freshwater, blue marble, glaciers
Summary: 
This activity was developed to give participants an understanding of how much and where water is on Earth by participating in a demonstration and using maps.

Connect the Spheres: Earth Systems Interactions

Connect the Spheres: Earth Systems Interactions
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Earth Systems, Water & Life
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.C
Keywords: 
hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, biosphere
Summary: 
This activity was developed to give participants an understanding of Earth’s four spheres and how they are connected.

Measuring Precipitation

Measuring Precipitation - picture of rain gauge
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Precipitation
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8, K - 5
Standards: 
ETS2.A
Keywords: 
rainfall, rain gauges, engineering, measurement
Summary: 
This inquiry-based lesson engages students in designing and testing a device to measure rain.

Global Energy Budget

Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Earth Systems, Climate, Energy Cycle
Type: 
Lesson Plan
Audience: 
Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.D
Keywords: 
energy budget, albedo, reflection, absorption, radiation, unequal heating
Summary: 
In this lesson, students will explore (through labs, videos, and a simulation) how energy from the sun is absorbed, reflected and radiated back out into space as part of the Earth’s energy budget.

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