NASA Wavelength

Sand or Rock: Finding Out from 1000 km

Learners will measure temperature of two different surfaces; sand and stone; on a sunny day, make a series of temperature measurements, and plot the results. Extensions include experimenting with different materials, using temperature sensors and noncontact infrared thermometers.
Audience: Elementary school, Upper elementary, Grade 5, Middle school, High school
Topic: Earth and space science, Solar system, Planetary geology, Mathematics, Measurement, Physical sciences, Heat and thermodynamics, Physical sciences, Structure and properties of matter, The nature of science, The scientific process
Materials Cost: $1 - $5
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How Do We Get There?

This is a lesson/briefing about the Dawn mission and the significance of its ion propulsion system.
Audience: High school
Topic: Earth and space science, Solar system, Asteroids and comets, Engineering and technology, Aircraft, probes, satellites and/or spacecraft, Physical sciences, Energy, Physical sciences, Chemistry, Physical sciences, Motion and forces, The nature of technology, The design process
Materials Cost: Free
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Exploring Relationships Among Variables in a Particular Month

In this activity, student teams explore the connections between parts of the Earth system by examining a time series of environmental data maps.
Keywords: Global data images, Scientific visualization
Audience: Elementary school, Upper elementary, Grade 5, Middle school, High school
Topic: Earth and space science, Earth processes, Climate, Earth and space science, Earth processes, Earth's energy budget, Engineering and technology, Image processing and visualization, The nature of science, The scientific process
Materials Cost: Free
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What is Wind Chill?

This resource introduces the concept of wind chill, the formula used to measure it and relates it to the causes of hypothermia. A simple experiment using a pie pan, sand, fan and a thermometer demonstrates this concept.
Keywords: Wind chill, Computation, Exponents, Cold weather
Audience: Middle school, High school
Topic: Earth and space science, Earth processes, Weather, Mathematics, Number and operations, Physical sciences, Heat and thermodynamics
Materials Cost: $1 - $5
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Secchi Disk Interactive

Learn how to build a Secchi disk and use it to make water transparency measurements following the GLOBE protocol for water transparency measurement with a Secchi disk. This resource is part of the GLOBE Program Hydrosphere Protocol eTraining.
Keywords: GLOBE
Audience: Middle school, Middle school, Grade 6, Middle school, Grade 7, Middle school, Grade 8, High school, High school, Grade 9, High school, Grade 10, High school, Grade 11, High school, Grade 12, Higher education, Higher education, Undergraduate, Higher education, Undergraduate, Non-majors, Higher education, Undergraduate, Majors, lower division, Higher education, Undergraduate, Majors, upper division, Higher education, Undergraduate, Pre-service teachers
Topic: Earth and space science, Earth structure, Ocean and water
Materials Cost: Free
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A History of Forest Use in the Pacific Northwest

This textbook chapter summarizes the changes in the ecosystems found in the world's forests. This is chapter 2 in the unit, A New World View, which introduces global systems science, emphasizing the concepts of environmental diversity, Earth as a system, and sustainability.
Keywords: Logging, Natural resources, Old growth forests, Clearcutting
Audience: High school
Topic: Earth and space science, Earth structure, Biosphere, Life sciences, Ecology and ecosystems
Materials Cost: Free
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Pilots, Airplanes and Tangents of Three (3) Degrees

This exercise shows a practical application of trigonometry in the aviation environment, where student pilots consider the relationship between altitude and distance to complete a landing. It requires a scientific calculator.
Keywords: Trigonometry, Triangles, Right angles, Tangents
Audience: High school
Topic: Mathematics
Materials Cost: $10 - $20
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Integer Arithmetic

This is a set of one-page problems about the size and area of solar panels used to generate power. Learners will will use integer arithmetic to tally the number of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms in a molecule and determine the number of methane atoms that can result.
Audience: Middle school, Grade 7
Topic: Earth and space science, Solar system, Planetary science, Life sciences, Astrobiology, Mathematics, Problem solving
Materials Cost: Free
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MY NASA DATA: Forest Fires

This is a problem-based learning activity where students utilize NASA data to identify forested areas at high risk for wildfire. Students assume the role of rangers of the Department of Forestry and draw conclusions from the data in order to attempt to prevent forest fires.
Keywords: Forest Fire, Authentic data use
Audience: Elementary school, Upper elementary
Topic: Earth and space science, Mathematics, Data collection, analysis and probability, The nature of science, The scientific process
Materials Cost: Free
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Discoveries at Willow Creek

In this science-based storybook, students learn about making observations, taking scientific measurements and recording their findings in a science journal. Simon, Anita and Dennis join Hannah, a local scientist, as they compare spring and fall observations of changes they see at Willow Creek.
Keywords: Water cycle, Earth system science, Graphic novel, Reading
Audience: Elementary school, Primary elementary, Kindergarten, Elementary school, Primary elementary, Grade 1, Elementary school, Primary elementary, Grade 2, Elementary school, Upper elementary, Grade 3, Elementary school, Upper elementary, Grade 4
Topic: Earth and space science, Earth structure, Ocean and water
Materials Cost: Free
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