Search

Explore the solar heating of the ocean in part one of a series on the water cycle. The animations show multiple views of the solar heating of the oceans, a picture of this first stage of water's cyclical journey from sea to air to land, and back again.

A Tour of the Cryosphere 2009

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Hydrologic Cycle, Earth Systems, Weather and Climate, Energy Cycle

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, Formal, 9 - 12, 6 - 8

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.C

Keywords:

cryosphere, ice, permafrost, sea ice, ocean currents, glaciers, satellites

Summary:

The cryosphere consists of those parts of the Earth's surface where water is found in solid form, including areas of snow, sea ice, glaciers, permafrost, ice sheets, and icebergs. This animation shows fluctuations in the cryosphere.

NASA Earth Science: Weather

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Weather, Technology

Type:

Website

Audience:

Informal, 6 - 8, 9 - 12

Keywords:

climate variability, NOAA, TRMM

Standards:

ESS2.A, ESS2.D

Summary:

This website offer teachers and their students some background on how NASA is supporting the study of Earth's weather systems. There is a good image of TRMM data being used to understand tropical storms, and links to other websites with additional info.

Where the Rain Falls: Can Understanding Rain Enable Change?

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Weather and Climate, Floods, Freshwater Resources, World Health

Type:

Website

Audience:

Outreach, Informal, Formal, General

Keywords:

climate change, agriculture

Standards:

ESS3.C, ESS3.D

Summary:

This website describes a study that is being conducted to understand the complexities of rainfall patterns and their effects on food security and human mobility.

Assessing Drought in the United States

Primary Topic:

Societal Applications

Subtopics:

Water & Life, Weather and Climate, Weather, Climate, Data, Freshwater Resources

Type:

Video

Audience:

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

Standards:

ESS3.A, ESS3.B

Keywords:

drought, citizen science, drought severity, precipitation variability

Summary:

This short animation from the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow Network shows how decision makers use a variety of data and in-person reports to assess the drought conditions across the United States.

Beautiful Earth: Floods and Landslides

Primary Topic:

Weather and Climate

Subtopics:

Precipitation, Climate, Satellites, Floods, Landslides, Forecasting, World Health

Type:

Video

Audience:

Informal, 6 - 8

Standards:

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

Keywords:

GPM, soil, extreme events

Summary:

GPM Application Science Lead, Dr. Dalia Kirschbaum, explains how landslides and floods occur, and how satellite imagery is used in understanding these disasters.

Sea Level Rise iQuest

Illustration of sea level rise and building sea walls.

Primary Topic:

Water Cycle

Subtopics:

Earth Systems, Weather and Climate, Climate, Human Impact, Satellites

Type:

Interactive

Audience:

Informal, Formal, General

Standards:

ESS3.B, ESS3.C

Summary:

In this IQuest, you will explore resources to help you learn about the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite, the science behind sea level rise, and the STEM related careers of several of the scientists and engineers involved with this effort.

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