Looking into Surface Albedo

Looking into Surface Albedo
https://scied.ucar.edu/activity/looking-surface-albedo

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

Students perform a lab to explore how the color of materials at Earth's surface affect the amount of warming. Topics covered include developing a hypothesis, collecting data, and making interpretations to explain why dark-colored materials become hotter.

Activity takes about one class period.

Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»

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Middle School

Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1

MS-PS4.B1: When light shines on an object, it is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through the object, depending on the object’s material and the frequency (color) of the light.

Cross Cutting Concepts: 6

Systems and System Models, Energy and Matter, Stability and Change, Patterns, Cause and effect, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

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Systems and System Models, Energy and Matter, Stability and Change, Patterns, Cause and effect, Scale, Proportion and Quantity

MS-C1.2: Patterns in rates of change and other numerical relationships can provide information about natural and human designed systems

MS-C2.2: Cause and effect relationships may be used to predict phenomena in natural or designed systems.

MS-C3.1: Time, space, and energy phenomena can be observed at various scales using models to study systems that are too large or too small.

MS-C4.2: Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.

MS-C5.4: The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a designed or natural system.

MS-C7.4: Systems in dynamic equilibrium are stable due to a balance of feedback mechanisms.

Science and Engineering Practices: 6

Developing and Using Models, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Asking Questions and Defining Problems

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MS-P1.1: Ask questions that arise from careful observation of phenomena, models, or unexpected results, to clarify and/or seek additional information.

MS-P2.4: Develop and/or revise a model to show the relationships among variables, including those that are not observable but predict observable phenomena.

MS-P3.4: Collect data to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer scientific questions or test design solutions under a range of conditions

MS-P4.4: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for phenomena.

MS-P6.2: Construct an explanation using models or representations.

MS-P7.3: Construct, use, and/or present an oral and written argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning to support or refute an explanation or a model for a phenomenon or a solution to a problem.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
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Activity can also be used as an engagement activity for high school students.

Topics

Global Energy Balance
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Albedo
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Solar Radiation
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Climate Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Sun is primary energy

Energy Literacy

This Activity builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.

Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.

Physical processes on Earth are the result of energy flow

Excellence in Environmental Education Guidelines

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:A) Processes that shape the Earth
Other materials addressing:
A) Processes that shape the Earth.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:B) Changes in matter
Other materials addressing:
B) Changes in matter.

2. Knowledge of Environmental Processes and Systems:2.1 The Earth as a Physical System:C) Energy
Other materials addressing:
C) Energy.

Notes From Our Reviewers The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials
Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy | Technical Details

About the Content

Providing an observable example of the effect of albedo on temperature is very useful in demonstrating the importance of albedo to students.
Not a lot of background materials for educators.
Comments from our scientists on background materials:
- When teaching about the decreasing snow cover - Specify the amount of decrease for land ice or glaciers.
- The number that is given for the decrease of the ice cover is a little out of date. For the annual average, the trend from NSIDC numbers is -4.2% per decade over 1979-2009. Of course for albedo, the key time period is summer when the sun is up. For September, at the end of the summer melt season, the trend for 1979-2009 is -11.9% per decade.

About the Pedagogy

Hands-on activity fosters student understanding of how local, regional, and global albedo effects are critical to predicting global climate change.
Has a good section to teach the importance of noting limitations of models.
Engaging introduction for students using a photo of Himalayan glaciers for observation and study.
Good worksheets included for students.
Assessment needs to be improved by educator.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

User must go to different websites for module background and unit background.

Related URLs These related sites were noted by our reviewers but have not been reviewed by CLEAN

This is part of a unit that allows learning more about the environmental cycles that influence Earth's climate. This activity is the last of four lessons in a unit on CYCLES. The project overview is located at: http://eo.ucar.edu/educators/ClimateDiscovery/ and the guide is located at: http://eo.ucar.edu/educators/ClimateDiscovery/ESS.htm

Entered the Collection: February 2012 Last Reviewed: October 2016

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Middle School (see details)