Modeling the Water Budget
n this activity, students will use California precipitation totals and evapotranspiration data to calculate and graph water deficits and surpluses. These spreadsheet models will help students understand droughts and the movement of water in the water cycle. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/modeling-the-water-budget/
Thermal Expansion Model
An important part of understanding sea-level rise is understanding thermal expansion of water. Thermal expansion accounts for about half of the measured global sea-level rise. Students will build a model using everyday items to demonstrate that water expands when heat energy is added. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/thermal-expansion-model/
Graphing Sea-Level Trends
In this activity, students will use sea-level rise data to create models and compare short-term trends to long-term trends. They will then determine whether sea-level rise is occurring based on the data. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/graphing-sea-level-trends/
Lessons in Sea-Level Rise
What is sea-level rise and how does it affect us? This “Teachable Moment” looks at the science behind sea-level rise and offers lessons and tools for teaching students about this important climate topic. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/the-science-of-earths-rising-seas/
Global Warming Demonstration
This demonstration uses a water balloon to show how Earth’s oceans are absorbing most of the heat being trapped on our warming world. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/global-warming-demonstration/
Sailors for the Sea Curriculum
KELP Kids Environmental Lesson Plans KELP are free, downloadable marine science activities that encourage curiosity in kids and help them explore their surroundings. With simple materials and minimal preparation, these dynamic lesson plans address important ocean health issues including plastic pollution, overfishing and climate change. https://www.sailorsforthesea.org/programs/kelp
STEM Flicks: From Algae to Biofuel
In this episode of STEM Flicks, Delta High School student Esmeralda Rodriguez talks with PNNL scientists about their work making biofuel from algae. Visit the Earth Science Inquiry Deep Dive Module of the TMA BlueTech Curriculum to see curriculum connections.
Algae Harnessed to Make Clean Water, Clean Power
Pollution in the world’s lakes, rivers and bays is creating conditions in which algae thrive, but other forms of life suffer. Scientists have found they can put those algae to work cleaning up that pollution, and help generate clean power in the process. VOA’s Steve Baragona visited the Port of Baltimore to see how it […]