In this data activity, students use satellite data to help determine the renewable (solar) energy potential of a region by comparing solar energy and cloud cover data. Step-by-step instructions for use of the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS)... (View More) guide students through selecting a data set, importing the data into a spreadsheet, creating graphs, and analyzing data plots. The lesson provides detailed procedures, related links and sample graphs, follow-up questions, extensions, and teacher notes. Designed for student use, MY NASA DATA LAS samples micro datasets from large scientific data archives, and provides structured investigations engaging students in exploration of remotely-sensed data to answer real world questions. (View Less)

How effective would solar cells be in any particular area of the United States? In this activity, students answer that question by analyzing graphs of incoming solar radiation. Students will download two solar radiation graphs, one based on latitude... (View More) and one based on cloud cover. After transferring that data to the accompanying worksheet, students will determine the areas in the United States best suited for the use of solar cells. Using both an overlay graph and a difference graph, students will determine the practicality of solar cell power for a home in various U.S. locations. 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)

In this lesson, students investigate and analyze the connection between sea surface temperatures and the flow pattern of the Gulf Stream current. Students will generate an Excel file of sea surface temperatures for the Gulf Stream region from data... (View More) stored on the Live Access Server. In addition, students will also access and plot seasonal water temperature changes from different time periods. This will allow for a comparison of maximum and minimum temperature fluctuations as well as seasonal variations for locations throughout the Gulf Stream. Students will also explore the Gulf Stream’s affects on weather and offshore industries. 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, extension, an online glossary, and a list of related AP Environmental Science topics. (View Less)