Student's On-Line Atmospheric Research (SOLAR): A SAGE III Educational Outreach Program - The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) will play a critical role in NASA's Earth
Science Enterprise by monitoring the distribution of aerosols and trace gases in the upper atmosphere,
from Earth orbit. The long-term data provided by SAGE III will enable atmospheric scientists to assess
possible influences of human activities and natural events and the Earth climate system and other
atmospheric processes such as ozone depletion. SAGE III is planned for launch in late 1999. Two
additional SAGE III sensors are planned for launch within the next several years, one of which will be
placed on the International Space Station. This combination of SAGE III instruments should provide
critical measurements well into the next century.
The SAGE III outreach program has selected a project that will help students in grades 9-12 develop
hands-on skills in working with scientific equipment. It will also give students experience in collecting,
analyzing, and reporting scientific data. The project involves collecting atmospheric data using a small
hand-held instrument, a sun photometer. Students can build a sun photometer from inexpensive parts
available at Radio Shack. This small hand-held device measures intensity of direct sun light, and can be
used to determine attenuation of sun light caused by aerosols and gases in the Earth's atmosphere. The sun
photometer is a simplified version of the satellite-based SAGE III instrument, and the measurement
concept is basically the same as that of SAGE III.
(Added: 5-Feb-2001 Hits: 827) [Spider search][grade levels: 9-12]
Students' Cloud Observations On-Line (S'COOL) Project - S'COOL is a component of the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) project of
NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. The first CERES instrument was launched in late 1997 to provide
global data on clouds. The 2nd and 3rd instruments were launched on the Terra spacecraft in December
1999. S'COOL Project participants make ground truth measurements for the CERES experiment. Ground
truth measurements are land-based observations to compare with satellite data for the purpose of
improving the satellite results.
Participating classes are asked to make basic weather observations and to record the type and features of
clouds in the sky at the time that the satellite passes over their location. Observations are then either
entered in an online form, emailed, faxed or mailed to NASA for entry into an online database. Students
have access to their results as well as those from other participating schools. Satellite observations for
matching times will also be captured so that CERES scientists can evaluate the results and students can
compare their observations to the satellite's.
(Added: 5-Feb-2001 Hits: 1194) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12]
Studying the Earth's Environment from Space (SEES) - This site is organized in a modular style based
on Earth science topics studied by scientists
with environmental data collected by satellites.
Currently, four modules are being developed.
They are listed at the right. The Stratospheric
Ozone and Global Land Vegetation modules are
ready for use.
SEE)
http://See.gsfc.nasa.gov/
SEE focuses on enabling the use of NASA Earth science information and data for formal and informal
education. This program develops educational products for high school and undergraduate educators and
for students at these levels. It also works with organizations and individuals involved in informal education
throughout the U.S. to jointly produce useful educational and public awareness materials that utilize
NASA's Earth science knowledge and expertise.
Contacts: Blanche Meeson, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900,
Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: bmeeson@see.gsfc.nasa.gov or Carla Evans, Goddard Space Flight Center,
Earth Sciences Directorate, Code 900, Greenbelt, MD 20771; Email: cevans@see.gsfc.nasa.gov
(Added: 26-May-1999 Hits: 1644) [Spider search][grade levels: 6-8|9-12|post-secondary]
The JASON Project - The JASON Foundation engages students in science and technology, and motivates and provides
professional development opportunities for teachers through the use of advanced interactive
telecommunications. JASON expeditions, targeted for grades 4-10, are supported by extensive teacher
training and award-winning curriculum and Internet program, and feature live, interactive broadcasts
through robotics, fiber optics, television production, computer science, and satellite communications.
JASON programs are broadcast to 36 Primary Interactive Network Sites (PINS) throughout the United
States and the world. JASON also provides live broadcasts of expeditions directly to classrooms and
through streaming video on the Internet. NASA PINS include Ames Research Center, Goddard Space
Flight Center, and Johnson Space Center. Programs focus on oceans, rainforests, extreme environments,
volcanoes and exploration of inner and outer space. All programs focus on connecting students and
teachers with researchers and scientists in the field. Contact: JASON Foundation for Education, 395 Totten Pond Road, Waltham, MA 02451; Phone: (781)
487-9995; Fax: (781) 487-9999; Email: info@jason.org
(Added: 5-Feb-2001 Hits: 1450) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8|9-12]
Virtual Nebraska - Virtual Nebraska (gateway to Nebraska Satellite, Space Shuttle, and Aircraft Imagery) is an
on-line archive of satellite imagery and aerial photography that gives users the opportunity to
view the State's landscape from unique perspectives (e.g., at infrared or microwave
wavelengths). Additionally, this web site offers digital elevation data, learning activities,
image-processing tools, historical "looks" at over 600 cities, and examples of how remotely
sensed data can be used to solve problems. The remote sensing tutorial is impressive and very
thorough.
(Added: 22-May-1999 Hits: 878) [Spider search][grade levels: 9-12]
World Watcher Software and the Global Warming Project - Global warming and it potential impact provide the context for this unit, in which students learn about the scientific factors contributing to the debate. Students act as advisors to the heads of state of several nations, and explore the issues as they respond to the various questions and concerns of these leaders. Activities include a combination of physical labs and investigations using World Watcher software, a geographic data visualization tool.
(Added: 2-Nov-2001 Hits: 593) [Spider search][grade levels: 3-5|6-8]
