Elementary GLOBE Air Quality Module
https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/air-quality
https://www.globe.gov/web/elementary-globe/overview/air-quality
Becca Hatheway, Kerry Zarlengo, Lisa Gardiner, The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center
This series of three learning activities each take between 45-90 minutes.
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»
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supports the Next Generation Science Standards»Topics
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Climate Literacy
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Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- A Teacher Implementation Guide for Elementary GLOBE modules is available.
- Lessons/activities could be used together, or separately (they can stand alone).
- Data collections sheets are provided.
- The book is available as a downloadable PDF, however, see note in Pedagogy about taking precautions if using with elementary students.
- This book and lessons work much better in an informal setting. Students should discuss the book outside before they do any activity.
About the Science
- This resource is a collection of lessons that explore light and color in our atmosphere, and how and why these colors change with different atmospheric conditions and time of day.
- "See the Light" has students use a prism to explore how light is affected when it passes through a medium.
- "Sky Observers" has students observe and compare data of sky color during the day and at sunset over a period of time.
- "Why (Not) So Blue" has students running an experiment to study the affects of aerosols on sky color and visibility.
- "Up in the Air" has students make an aerosol sampler to collect data on the amount of aerosols present in their air.
- Lessons are provided context with the ebook "What's Up in the Atmosphere? Exploring Colors of the Sky", which is about students that notice a relationship between colors of the sky and air quality.
- Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
About the Pedagogy
- The storybook and online Web Story are colorful and engaging, and each of the four activities use hands-on structured inquiry to guide students through observations of natural phenomena, experimentation with the properties of light and color, and real-world data collection of aerosols present in our air.
- The storybook art works' relationship to the subject matter and audience is on target making for a cognitive experience for elementary readers.
- There are two different literature options: "Become An Atmosphere Observer" (Web Story) is good for K-2 grades developmentally. "What’s Up in the Atmosphere? Exploring Colors of the Sky" is appropriate for grades 3-5.
- Lessons provide strong discussion and reflection questions to help students make meaning out of their observations.
- Daily data collection can be addressed in routines throughout the day.
- Lessons will work great for all learning styles.
- There are lots of ideas for further investigation included, along with additional resources, and adaptations for younger and older students.
- Because of the small occurrence of the topic of pollution from fossil fuels, teachers might also want to consider going to the CLEAN support guides for teachers to understand how to address controversial content.
Technical Details/Ease of Use
- The lesson is thorough, with "Teacher's Notes" (background information), clear format, worksheets for student use, and suggestions for extension activities.
- Hyperlinks are obvious, easy to activate and suitable for young audience and unrefined motor skills.
- Links are suitable for volume traffic.
- Available in 5 different languages.
