Objective: To use technology in a yearlong project, NASA’s SCOOL observations. Students will work on a team with 4 other students to observe the clouds and send a daily report to NASA through the Internet.

Student Outcome:

1. Students will learn the cloud types and collect the daily weather information.

2. Students will work with the SCOOL team from NASA and other schools throughout the world to furnish cloud data for the CERES project.

3. Students will work with a team of students (just as real scientists work on teams) to determine the correct data to be reported. Each member will learn the different tasks required for this project.

4. Students will be able to express verbally or in written form the objective of the CERES project.

State Standards Met with this Lesson:

11A- Stage H Collect and record data accurately using consistent measuring and recording techniques and media by: organizing data in a table, chart or other appropriate format.

11A-Construct charts and visualization to display data by summarizing data using various kinds of graphs and charts.

12E-Stage E Know the natural cycles of Earth’s land, water, and atmospheric systems by: recording and discussing local atmospheric conditions daily.

Materials:

Clipboard with copies of the SCOOL report form

Poster with the cloud types

Weather station set up outside: thermometer & a rain gauge

Internet access to the SCOOL web site

Time:

Formal Instruction- 2 class periods for the cloud types

1 class period for the weather station set up and practice reading the weather gauges

Method:

Day 1

1. Take students outside to observe the clouds

2. In classroom –students write down their observations

3. Using cloud poster and pictures from NASA show students the different cloud types

4. Take students back outside to determine the cloud type for that day.

5. Students read about the CERES/SCOOL project- discuss the project.

6. Assign students to make a poster with different percentages of cloud cover (5,10,15,25,50,95 &100%)

Day 2

1. Divide class into teams of 4-5 students

2. Give each team a copy of the report form from NASA

3. Teams go outside and fill out the form

4. Back in the classroom teams share their data

5. Class comes to a consensus regarding the correct data

Daily Instruction- Each day a different SCOOL team will gather the cloud and weather information during the first 10 minutes of class

The teams are set up and do not change all year- the list of members is on the class bulletin board

Later in the year during the weather unit:

1 Day

1. Students work with their team and are given thermometer to practice reading-using water and lab paper.

2. Students are shown a rain gauge with a demonstration on how to read and record.

3. Class goes outside to set up a weather station for daily information.

Each SCOOL team will add the weather information to their report form.

Evaluation:

Students are to write a newspaper article on the CERES/SCOOL project. Using a digital camera, students will take other teams pictures. These will be sent in to the local paper for publication.

Students in my class are given 2 science questions daily and given points for their answers. On the day their SCOOL team does the reporting, the students are given the points and do not have to answer the questions. Teams who share tasks and work well together are given extra credit.