This lesson explores the relationship between the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere available for precipitation and actual precipitation levels. After accessing and graphing the satellite data on both water vapor and precipitation levels,... (View More) students will examine, compare and interpret monthly, seasonal, yearly and/or global patterns. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes sample graphs, related links, extensions, an online glossary, and data analysis tools. (View Less)

In this data exploration activity, students will access, download and graph authentic ozone data for four different locations on Earth. The ozone levels at the four sites are compared and analyzed, and students investigate the cause of changes in... (View More) ozone concentration over time. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, an online glossary and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics. (View Less)

Through the use of satellite images taken during a winter storm over the Central United States in 2000, this lesson provides the opportunity to conduct a case study of cloud coverage. Students will use satellite images to not only estimate total... (View More) cloud cover, but also the cloud cover at four different altitude levels. They will then compare their estimates to the actual data from the CERES instrument. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, lesson extensions, an online glossary, and data analysis tools. (View Less)

Satellite data on cloud cover is used in this investigation to show the relationship between clouds and solar declination. Students will download data on declination angles along with data on clouds and cloud cover for a one-year time period.... (View More) Additional years will be added to the download in order to determine any seasonal patterns. Cloud cover near the equator is the focus of the analysis. This lesson uses student- and citizen science-friendly microsets of authentic NASA Earth system science data from the MY NASA DATA project. It also includes related links, extensions, and an online glossary. (View Less)