In this activity, students will create a basic bar graph using authentic NASA data downloaded by the instructor. Step-by-step instructions for use of the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS) guide students through selecting a data set, importing... (View More) 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 real data to answer real world questions (View Less)

In this data analysis activity, students connect the idea of the tilt and orbit of the earth (changing of seasons) with monthly snow/ice data. The lesson includes step-by-step instructions for use of the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server (LAS),... (View More) guiding students through selection of a data set from a location of their choice, 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 real data to answer real world questions. (View Less)

This activity is about the processes that have shaped the eastern coastline of the United States, specifically considering the impact of pollution. Learners will use model habitats to simulate the runoff of pollutants and consider how they might... (View More) affect the watershed. This is the second of three watershed activities in the "Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators." (View Less)

This activity is about symbiotic relationships. After reading deep-sea diving log entries, learners will discuss the observations of the relationship between two kinds of organisms, hermit crabs and sea anemones. Learners will perform research to... (View More) answer a set of questions related to this relationship and consider the benefits derived to each organism. Learners will be able to define and describe symbiotic, mutualistic, commensal, and parasitic relationships between organisms. Links to log entries and background material are available. This is the second of three activities in the "Impact of Climate Change on Hawaiian Monk Seals" section of the Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)

This activity is about the role of plants as carbon sinks. Using atom signs made of construction paper, a blanket and other materials, learners will visualize the role of plants in storing carbon and discuss what may lead to its release. This the... (View More) second of three activities in "The Carbon Cycle and its Role in Climate Change," which is part of Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)

This activity is about the process of pollination. Using chalk and Q-tips, learners will simulate the pollination process to understand the relationship between pollinator and flowering plant. They will also then simulate a scenario depicting the... (View More) impact of climate change on pollination. This activity should take place outdoors, in an open area where learners can run safely. Extensions to this activity are available. This activity is part of Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)

This activity is about how fossil fuels release carbon. Learners will use toys, sand and other materials to simulate a city, considering the formation of fossil fuels and how burning these releases carbon and produces warming. As part of the... (View More) discussion, they will review the respiration equation. They will then create a mural illustrating the path of the carbon from dead forest, to fossil fuel, to mine, to power plants, to homes and cars, and finally to the air. This the third of three activities in "The Carbon Cycle and its Role in Climate Change," which is part of Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)

This activity is about the processes that have shaped the eastern coastline of the United States. By providing students with model habitats of the Chesapeake Bay watershed made with boxes and clay, learners will observe that all water that falls on... (View More) a watershed drains into the same large waterway. They will also develop a definition of a watershed. This is the first of three watershed activities in Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)

This activity is about the processes that have shaped the eastern coastline of the United States. Using model habitats and a topographic map of the Chesapeake Bay, students will be able to describe how changes in water level distribute over... (View More) different land features. This is the third of three watershed activities in the "Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators." (View Less)

This activity is about the carbon cycle. Using construction paper and signs, learners will simulate chemical bonds and the energy exchanges that take place during the carbon cycle. They will then respond to questions about the processes of... (View More) photosynthesis and respiration. This the first of three activities in "The Carbon Cycle and its Role in Climate Change," which is part of Climate Change, Wildlife and Wildlands: A Toolkit for Formal and Informal Educators. (View Less)