NASA eClips: Our World: Cool Clouds
https://nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/video/ourworld/our-world-cool-clouds
https://nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/video/ourworld/our-world-cool-clouds
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
This eClip video is part of NASA's Our World series and introduces students to the basics of cloud formation.
Video length is 7:14 min
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»Grade Level
Online Readiness
Topics
Energy Literacy
This Video builds on the following concepts of Energy Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
Notes From Our Reviewers
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- This is a good video to accompany with a cloud-in-a-bottle hands-on activity or to use in a unit about weather or gas properties.
- Reviewers recommend pairing this video with a diverse female activity in order to iterate that the male-dominated stereotype in this video is incorrect. Or teachers can potentially use this to lead into a discussion about representation in science.
About the Content
- The topic of this video is how clouds form, what the different types of clouds are, and what differentiates them.
- In this 7-minute video, students will learn how clouds are formed and watch an experiment to make a cloud using liquid nitrogen.
- They will find out how scientists classify clouds according to their altitude and how clouds reflect and absorb light, giving them different colors.
- There is mention early on that dust particles are important for cloud formation, but this could have been reiterated later on when cloud formation was described again.
- Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
About the Pedagogy
- The video shows demonstrations, graphics, and adds humor to make the topic engaging for students.
- The video is accompanied by links to more background info and related activities.
- There is no video-specific teachers guide. Teachers may want to consider creating their own discussion questions.