Cloudy vs. Clear Graphs
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Provided by: My NASA Data|Published on: May 24, 2024
Lesson PlansScientist Reviewed
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this lesson, students will analyze and interpret individual graphs and a double-line graph with thermal energy data.
- Students will learn how clouds impact the amount of energy we can get from the sun.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
Authors: My NASA Data
Region: Asia, Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The data literacy cube is an excellent tool that students can use in other data analysis lessons and activities.
- The resource includes many options for extension and links to related lessons and activities.
Prerequisites
- Students should know how to read line graphs and compare data sets.
- Students should know that the sun provides energy in the form of heat.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After this lesson, students can discuss the implications of this data for using solar energy and then discuss alternative clean energy solutions.
- There is an extensions section that includes adaptations for those with learning differences.
- Students can run an experiment to measure thermal energy in their local area on cloudy and clear days.
- Students can use this lesson and the analysis questions to practice academic writing.
This lesson uses real data on net energy from the sun to instruct students on examining and interpreting data from graphs. Instructions are clear, and examples are plentiful. Background information is included that explains key terms. Figures are clear, with labels free of jargon. The ‘data literacy cube’ printouts are clear and detail sensible graph analysis. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
About the Partner Provider
My NASA Data
NASA offers petabytes of global Earth science data collected from satellites, but accessing these data in a traditional (or virtual) science classroom can be tricky. Since 2004, My NASA Data has supported students and teachers of grades 3-12 in analyzing and interpreting NASA mission data.
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
