Browse ESS2.D Resources

Browse ESS2.D Resources

Weather & Climate iQuest

Hurricane approaching Florida
Primary Topic: 
Weather and Climate
Subtopics: 
Weather, Climate, Human Impact, Energy Cycle, Satellites, Remote Sensing
Type: 
Interactive
Audience: 
Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ESS2.D
Keywords: 
global warming, extreme weather
Summary: 
This IQuest has been developed to help you explore the wild and changing world of weather and climate. Weather and climate are shaped by complex interactions involving sunlight, the ocean, the atmosphere, clouds, ice, land, and life forms.

GPM: Too Much, Too Little

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.

The Water Cycle - Featuring Molecule Man!

Thumbnail for "The Water Cycle"
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.

Faces of GPM: Professor Steve Nesbitt, GPM Ground Validation Scientist

Faces of GPM with Steve Nesbitt
Primary Topic: 
Technology
Subtopics: 
Precipitation, Weather, Remote Sensing, STEM Careers
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ETS2.A, ETS2.B
Keywords: 
snow, GCPEx, Canada, Faces of GPM, careers, ground validation, field campaigns
Summary: 
Profile of Steve Nesbitt, a professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois and a mission scientist on GPM ground validation field campaigns.

TRMM at 15: The Reign of Rain

TRMM at 15: The Reign of Rain
Primary Topic: 
Technology
Subtopics: 
Precipitation, Tropical Cyclones, Satellites, Remote Sensing, STEM Careers
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Outreach, Informal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.D, ETS2.A
Keywords: 
TRMM, the tropics
Summary: 
This video celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Project Scientist Scott Braun looks back at TRMM's legacy and a few of the major scientific milestones the satellite has helped achieved.

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.

Citizen Science: Measuring and Sharing Precipitation Data with CoCoRaHS

CoCoRaHS Volunteers with rain gauges (image credit: CoCoRaHS)
Primary Topic: 
Weather and Climate
Subtopics: 
Water Cycle, Precipitation, Weather and Climate, Data, Freshwater Resources
Type: 
Website
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8, K - 5, General
Keywords: 
rain gauge, citizen science, precipitation measurement, CoCoRaHs
Standards: 
ESS2.C, ESS2.D, ESS3.D
Summary: 
CoCoRaHS is a Citizen Science organization that helps participants collect and share precipitation data. They also assist teachers in learning how to install and use rain gauges with their students. Learn how to collect and submit measurements to CoCoRaHS

Real World: Monitoring Earth's Energy Budget with CERES

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.

Real World: JASON-2

Real World: JASON-2 thumbnail
Primary Topic: 
Weather and Climate
Subtopics: 
Climate, Human Impact, Technology, Satellites, Floods
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, 6 - 8
Standards: 
ESS2.D, ESS3.D, ETS2.A
Keywords: 
oceans, El Nino, La Nina, sea level
Summary: 
Learn how the satellite, Jason 2, is able to use radar waves to determine the height of sea levels and evaluate the effects of global warming.

Aquarius Ocean Circulation

Aquarius Ocean Circulation
Primary Topic: 
Water Cycle
Subtopics: 
Water Properties, Weather and Climate, Climate, Satellites, Remote Sensing
Type: 
Video
Audience: 
Informal, Formal, General
Standards: 
ESS2.A, ESS2.D, ESS3.D
Keywords: 
ocean currents, density, energy cycle, salinity, ocean temperature, climate change, wind
Summary: 
Ocean circulation plays a key role in distributing solar energy and maintaining climate, by moving heat from Earth's equator to the poles. Aquarius salinity data, combined with data from other sensors, will give us a clearer picture of how the ocean works

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