Introduce learners to Cubesats - much smaller (1000 cm3) satellites that are being used to gather scientific data and enhance NASA’s space exploration goals. This series of short YouTube videos provides background information, size comparisons,... (View More) component and construction details, and the science behind this new generation of satellites. Includes links to related resources and background information. The Real World series of NASA eClips™ connects classroom mathematics to 21st century careers and innovations and are designed for students to develop an appreciation for mathematics through real-world problem-solving. (View Less)

Originally produced in support of the 2016 Earth Science Week theme of “Our Shared Geoheritage,” this collection of articles and images from NASA’s Earth Observatory looks at over 60 of America’s National Parks. Learners can explore three... (View More) facets of our parks from the vantage point of space: geology, ecology and/or cultural history. Each of the three includes an introduction and guiding questions. The articles can be used to engage and generate student interest in a related phenomenon or topic at the beginning of lessons or units, or used throughout as supplemental activities. The “Educators” link at the top of each section provides additional strategies and suggestions for using the articles. (View Less)

The complexity and interconnectedness of Earth’s systems become evident through these visualizations created by NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio. Each entry in this collection is designed to encourage student questioning and conversation... (View More) – especially related to the cross-cutting topics commonly found in middle and high school curricula (cause and effect; systems and system models; scale, proportion and quantity; patterns; similarities and differences; stability and change; energy and matter). Video interviews with mission scientists and a NASA visualizer as well as links to sample K-12 lessons are included. (View Less)

The four lessons in this unit build toward a student understanding of each component of the energy budget formula - and how the contribution of each component changes due to location and time of year. In order, the four lessons consist of: deriving... (View More) the formula for Earth’s energy budget, analyzing data from NASA’s CERES instrument, learning to code using the RStudio program, and using RStudio to explore and evaluate the energy budgets of specific locations and seasons. The unit includes a pre/post test; each lesson follows the 5E model and contains worksheets with answer keys. (View Less)

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) is the process of evaluating materials to detect and measure the presence of defects without causing damage to the material being tested. In this lesson, middle and high school students are introduced to NDE,... (View More) refraction of light, and birefringence (the process in which light moving in different directions, or polarizations, travels at different speeds within a material). Students test a variety of transparent plastics using polarizing filters and analyze the extent and degree of stress the materials have undergone by examining the birefringence produced. Guide Lites are individual activities from NASA eClips™ Educator Guides that are developed for informal settings. Each Guide Lite follows the 5E model and includes lesson objectives, a materials list, and links to the supporting NASA eClips™ video segments. (View Less)

This video explains albedo - the concept that the brightness of the Earth system (atmosphere, ocean, and land surfaces) determines how much incoming solar energy is immediately reflected back to space. Reflected shortwave energy and land albedo... (View More) products demonstrate the seasonal and geographic variability of this critical climate process. ClimateBits videos are designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental links). (View Less)

Based on the popular fortune-telling game, this printable interactive craft and game familiarizes learners with cloud vocabulary and varying degrees of cloud cover.

This brief (1:55) video describes the tropical monsoon weather pattern using global imagery of clouds, precipitation and fires visible from space. The discussion of the cycle also includes the impacts on people and on farming. ClimateBits videos are... (View More) designed for Science On a Sphere (SOS) and also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources). (View Less)

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist? Join Dr. Michelle Thaller as she explains how the general public, using scientific protocols, careful observations and accurate measurements, can help NASA make exciting new discoveries. NASA eClips™ are... (View More) short, relevant educational video segments. These videos inspire and engage students, helping them see real world connections. The Real World series of NASA eClips™ connects classroom mathematics to 21st century careers and innovations and are designed for students to develop an appreciation for mathematics through real-world problem-solving. (View Less)

Using new and recycled materials, learners construct a rocket car that moves by the use of a balloon and a straw system. Following trial runs, learners engineer revisions to the car design to improve the distance that it travels. Templates,... (View More) pictures, worksheets and a lengthy list of suggested construction materials are provided. This activity was designed for use in a library program. (View Less)