Our World: Cloud Inspection
Find out why scientists and meteorologists study clouds and what tools they use to collect data about the effect of clouds on Earth's climate. Learn to tell the difference between cirrus, stratus and cumulus clouds.
Discussion and writing prompts
1. Scientists carefully observe clouds to identify patterns and better understand Earth's atmosphere. Why is careful observation an important part of scientific investigations, and what kinds of information can clouds provide about changing weather conditions?
2. Clouds are classified based on characteristics such as their shape, height, and appearance. Why is it important for scientists to use a common system for identifying and classifying clouds? Choose two cloud types featured in the video. Compare their characteristics, explain how they form, and describe the weather conditions each is most likely to produce.
3. Clouds are constantly changing as Earth's atmosphere changes. How can observing cloud patterns help scientists better understand weather, climate, and Earth's systems?
Background Information
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA eClips Our World: Cloud Inspection (video)
Grades 3 through 8
- GLOBE (Elementary) Do You Know That Clouds Have Names? (pdf)
Grades 3 through 12
- UCAR Storms and Other Weather (webpage)
- NASA eClips Ask SME: Project Scientist Marile Colon Robles (video)
- NASA/NOAA Introduction to Clouds (pdf)
- GLOBE Clouds Chart Sky Window (pdf)
Grades 5 through 8
- NASA eClips Real World: Earth’s Energy Balance – Energy In and Energy Out (video)
- NASA eClips Real World: Earth’s Energy Balance: Small Changes, Big Impact (video)
- NASA What Are Clouds? (webpage)
Grades 5 through 12
- NASA CERES (webpage)
- NASA Clouds 101 (video)
- NASA How Do Clouds Form? (webpage)
Grades 8 through 12
- NASA The Importance of Understanding Clouds (pdf)
Activities
Grades K through 5
- GLOBE (Elementary) Clouds Module (website)
Grades K through 12
- GLOBE Earth as a System - Water Cycle Protocol (webpage)
- NASA GLOBE Clouds: How Can You Help? (webpage)
- GLOBE Hands-On Cloud Activities (website)
- GLOBE Atmosphere Protocols (webpage)
Grades 2 through 12
- NISE Network Exploring Earth: Investigating Clouds (webpage)
Grades 3 through 5
- NASA eClips Spotlite Interactive Lesson: Clouds (pdf)
- NASA eClips Our World: Designing a Cloud Cover Estimator (pdf)
Grades 3 through 8
- My NASA Data Cloud Sort Activity (webpage)
- GLOBE Cloud Teller (pdf)
- NASA Space Place Unscramble the Clouds (interactive)
- NASA Space Place Make a Cloud Mobile (webpage)
- NASA JPL The Types of Clouds and What They Mean (webpage)
Grades 4 through 12
- NASA JPL Make a Cloud in a Bottle (webpage)