CERES Students’ Cloud Observation On-Line Project (S’COOL)

1. Scool.larc.nasa.gov Teacher Professional Development Session 1 Tuesday April 9th, 2013 4:15- 5:30 pm Sarah Crecelius Representing The S’COOL Teamscool@lists.nasa.gov NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA CERES Students’ Cloud Observation On-Line Project (S’COOL)

2. What is S’COOL?

3. How does S’COOL Relate? S’COOL = Students’ Cloud Observations On-Line We are working with Scientists at NASA Langley to answer a research question… Question: What is the Effect of Clouds on the Earth’s Climate?

4. What is the Effect of Clouds on the Earth’s Climate? • High, thin, icy clouds let a lot of sunlight through to the surface, but also block a lot of energy from going back to space from Earth. • = Warming • Low, puffy, thick clouds made of water block a lost of sunlight from the surface and send just as much energy back to space as they do back towards Earth. • = Cooling.

5. How and Why?

6. How Can You Help Answer this question? Join S’COOL! S’COOL participants are located around the world! Map as of Oct. 2012

7. 3 Easy Steps Being a S’COOL Observer is easy! • Request Satellite Overpass Times • Observe Clouds • Report Data Online Explore: See your data over time a what other classes around the world are seeing!

8. Request Satellite Overpass Times

9. Observe Clouds Observe the whole sky for: Cloud Cover Sky Visibility Sky Color 3 Contrail Categories On each level, observe cloud type. On each level, observe cloud cover. On each level, observe visual opacity. Observe the surface conditions and add any additional comments you might have.

10. Observe Clouds, Teacher Resources http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/ForTeachers-resources.php

11. Report Data Online

12. Report Data Online

13. More Fun! Exploring See your data next to the satellite data! Compare and see if you see any differences or similarities, send us comments on what you found!

14. Classroom Management http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/teacher_share.html

15. Standard Application • National Standards of Learning • ************************************************************ • Science Standards • Science as Inquiry • Physical Science • Earth and Space Science • Science and Technology • History and Nature of Science • Geography Standards • The World in Spatial Terms • Mathematics Standards • Represent and Interpret Data • Solve Problems involving Measurement and Estimation • Education Technology Standards • Creativity and Innovation • Communication and Collaboration • Research and Information Fluency • Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making • Digital Citizenship • Technology Operations and Concepts

16. Look for S’COOL National Conference 2013, April 11-14 Regional Conferences Portland: Oct 24-26 Charlotte: Nov 7-9 Denver: Dec 12-14 Summer 2013 San Francisco December 2013 S’COOL Website: scool.larc.nasa.gov Questions: scool@lists.nasa.gov Registration: http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/register/

17. Thank You! Questions? S’COOL Website: scool.larc.nasa.gov Questions: scool@lists.nasa.gov Registration: http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/register/

18. Extra Slides Additional slides contain extra resources to aid this PowerPoint

19. Education And Public Outreach; Science Directorate NASA Langley Research Center The Science Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center provides many opportunities to involve students, faculty, researchers, and the citizen science community in real world science. Student Cloud Observations On-Line • The SD EPO Team… • Collaborates with the education community to bring authentic Earth science practices and real-world data into the classroom. • Provides the public with unique NASA experiences, engaging activities, and advanced technology. • Provides products developed and reviewed by science and education experts. MY NASA DATA The GLOBE Program CALIPSO Our goals include inspiring the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professionals and improving STEM literacy by providing innovative participation pathways for educators, students, and the public. SAGE III on the International Space Station For further information on any of our Projects or Missions, listed to the right, or to contact us please visit the Science Directorate Education and Public Outreach Website, http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/ Long-term Engagement in Authentic Research at NASA Discover-AQ

20. Energy Budget Poster http://science-edu.larc.nasa.gov/energy_budget/

21. Video Our World: What is a Cloud?http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasaeclips/search.html?terms=&category=1000

22. Video Our World: Monitoring the Earth’s Climate with CEREShttp://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/nasaeclips/search.html?terms=&category=1000

23. Observe Clouds On each level, look for cloud type.

24. Observe Clouds On each level, look for cloud cover. • Clear (<10%) • Isolated (10 to 25%) • Scattered (25 to 50%) • Broken (50 to 90%) • Overcast (>90%)

25. Observe Clouds • Transparent • Thin clouds • Light passes through easily • Can see blue sky through transparent clouds • Translucent • Medium-thickness clouds • Let some sunlight through • Cannot see blue sky though translucent clouds • Opaque • Thick clouds • Do not allow light to pass directly, although light can diffuse through them. • Often look gray

26. Observe Clouds • New Observations include: • Sky Conditions • 3 Contrail Categories

27. Observe Clouds Sky Conditions Sky Visibility and Sky Color Low AOT Sky Color Deep Blue Blue Light Blue Pale Blue Milky Visibility Categories Usually Clear Clear Somewhat Clear Somewhat Hazy Extremely Hazy Aerosol Amount Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) High AOT

28. Observe Clouds Sky Color

29. Observe Clouds Sky Visibility Visibility - Clarity with which objects can be viewed through the intervening atmosphere. Denali National Park, National Park Service Air Quality Office http://www.shodor.org/metweb/session8/gallery.html Very Hazy Extremely Hazy Somewhat Hazy Clear Unusually Clear Slide Credit- GLOBE Program Slide Credit- GLOBE Program