This is an activity that was developed to give participants an understanding of the atmosphere.  In this one-hour long activity, participants learn about the atmosphere by making observations and taking measurements. They will go outside and use scientific equipment to collect atmospheric moisture data (temperature, relative humidity, precipitation and cloud cover). Students will use this qualitative and quantitative data to understand how water is found in the atmosphere, how the atmosphere determines weather and climate, and how Earth’s spheres are connected through the water cycle.

The data collection is based on protocols from the GLOBE program: www.globe.gov

Download Lesson Resources:

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• Teacher Guide (.pdf)
• Student Capture Sheet (.pdf)
• Presentation (.ppt)

Other "Survivor: Earth" Lessons:

The following lessons have been developed to teach students about local and global water issues. They are based on NASA’s Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission and an instructional module designed for Montgomery County Public Schools Outdoor Environmental Education Program (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/outdoored/). 

1. Connect the Spheres: Earth Systems Interaction
2. Earth's Water
3. The Water Cycle
4. Water in the Hydrosphere
5. Water in the Geosphere
6. Water in the Biosphere
7. Water in the Atmosphere
8. Measuring Precipitation
9. Water Conservation
10. The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM)