Browse ESS2.A Resources

GPM: Too Much, Too Little

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Water & Life, Floods, Landslides, Freshwater Resources

Type:

Video

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D

Keywords:

heavy rainfall, drought

Summary:

Researchers need accurate and timely rainfall information to better understand and model where and when severe floods, frequent landslides and devastating droughts may occur, and GPM’s global rainfall data will help provide that information.

Our Wet Wide World (GPM Overview)

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Water & Life, Weather and Climate, Satellites, Societal Applications

Type:

Video

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

GPM Core Observatory, GPM Constellation, Goddard Space Flight Center

Summary:

This video, "Our Wet Wide World", provides an overview of the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission and its goals.

For Good Measure

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Water & Life, Satellites, Remote Sensing, Societal Applications

Type:

Video

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

rain gauges, global, constellation

Summary:

The short video, 'For Good Measure' explains why scientists turn to satellites to get a worldwide view of rainfall.

The Water Cycle - Featuring Molecule Man!

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Satellites

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, 6 - 8, K - 5

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C, ESS2.D

Keywords:

evaporation, transpiration, condensation, satellite constellation

Summary:

This video (4:56) uses a combination of cartoon characters, a scientist, and a series of different Earth-observing satellites with data animations to teach the various parts of the water cycle.

Water Cycle Webquest

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Precipitation, Water & Life

Type:

Interactive

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Summary:

In this webquest, you will learn a little about the GPM mission, and then will focus on the Earth’s water cycle.

Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Earth Systems, Weather and Climate, Energy Cycle, Satellites, Remote Sensing, Data

Type:

Website

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Keywords:

energy budget, electromagnetic spectrum, microwaves, infrared

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS3.D, ETS2.A, ETS2.B

Summary:

Welcome to the Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. This unique NASA resource on the web, in print, and with companion videos introduces electromagnetic waves, their behaviors, and how scientists visualize these data.

The GLOBE Earth System Poster Learning Activities

Primary Topic:

Technology

Subtopics:

Weather and Climate, Satellites, Remote Sensing

Type:

Lesson Plan

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D, ESS3.C, ESS3.D, ETS2.B

Keywords:

climate change, cloud coverage, global data sets, models, infrared radiation

Summary:

The activities in this guide will help students understand variations in environmental parameters by examining connections among different phenomena measured on local, regional and global scales.

Towers in the Tempest

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Tropical Cyclones, Energy Cycle, Remote Sensing

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, General

Standards:

ESS2.A

Keywords:

hurricanes, hot towers, TRMM, low pressure

Summary:

'Towers in the Tempest' is a 4.5 minute narrated animation that explains recent scientific insights into how hurricanes intensify. This intensification can be caused by a phenomenon called a 'hot tower'.

Real World: Monitoring Earth's Energy Budget with CERES

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Human Impact, Energy Cycle, Technology, Satellites

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D

Keywords:

energy budget, radiation budget, atmosphere, greenhouse effect, greenhouse gases, carbon footprint

Summary:

Learn how NASA uses a data-collecting sensor, Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System, or CERES, to study clouds and make accurate measurements of energy leaving Earth.