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 pedosphere (soil) is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining program module. Protocols for investigating soil temperature, moisture, characterization, density and infiltration are explained. In addition, each module includes interactive digital field... (View More) and lab experiences, and online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

The biosphere- that part of Earth's land, water and atmosphere that supports life- is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining program module. Protocols for classifying land cover, performing biometric field studies and measuring green-up and green-down... (View More) are explained. In addition, each protocol module includes interactive digital field and lab experiences along with online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

The hydrosphere (water, ice, and vapor) is the focus of this GLOBE eTraining module. Protocols for investigating many characteristics of water such as temperature, transparency, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrates, and... (View More) identifying mosquito larvae are explained. In addition, each module includes interactive digital field and lab experiences, and online assessments. Instructions for uploading observations to the GLOBE database as well as for using the GLOBE visualization system are provided. GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and experienced GLOBE users to complete science protocol training online. In addition, each module also includes interactive digital field and lab experiences, and online assessments. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment) is a worldwide, hands-on, K-12 school-based science education program. (View Less)

This video features NASA scientist Claire Parkinson explaining atmospheric carbon dioxide levels seen in measurements collected at the Mauna Loa observatory since 1958 and recent global model output. The seasonal cycle of plants on land and in the... (View More) ocean explains the annual rise and fall of carbon dioxide. The long-term trend toward more CO2 in our atmosphere is largely due to human activity. We are putting CO2 into the air faster than nature can remove it. (View Less)

This brief (1:58) video provides an explanation of El Niño and its impact on the marine food web. Satellite images of a large El Niño in 2015 show the impact on both water temperature and phytoplankton blooms. ClimateBits videos are designed for... (View More) Science On a Sphere (SOS) and are also available on YouTube. Links are provided to more information for this topic from the main ClimateBits website (see related & supplemental resources). (View Less)

Emphasizing the synergies between science and engineering, these video clips highlight the research of professional ocean scientists and engineers in various disciplines. The clips are accompanied by additional relevant content including images,... (View More) data visualizations, graphs, animations, and other information. Content has been organized into more than a dozen thematic areas such as Solving Old Problems with New Technology and Small Scale Observations and Large Scale Ideas. All content has been aligned with science and engineering practices from the Next Generation Science Standards, including "asking questions and solving problems" and "planning and carrying out investigations," providing applicable resources for teachers who want to provide role models of effective practice for their students. (View Less)