Jump to this Video »
Earth as a System
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.earthsys.hologlobe/

WGBH/Boston

This short video uses animated imagery from satellite remote sensing systems to illustrate that Earth is a complex, evolving body characterized by ceaseless change. Adapted from NASA, this visualization helps explain why understanding Earth as an integrated system of components and processes is essential to science education.

Video length: 5:30 min.

Discuss this Resource»
Learn more about Teaching Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness»

Topics

Ocean and Climate
See more on this topic.
Climate System
See more on this topic.

Grade Level

Middle (6-8)
See more at this grade level.
High School (9-12)
See more at this grade level.
College Lower (13-14)
See more at this grade level.
College Upper (15-16)
See more at this grade level.

Climate Literacy
About Teaching Climate Literacy

Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system
About Teaching Principle S
Other materials addressing Sun
mate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system
About Teaching Principle C
Other materials addressing Cli

Energy Literacy

Sunlight, gravitational potential, decay of radioactive isotopes, and rotation of the Earth are the major sources of energy driving physical processes on Earth.
Other materials addressing:
2.2 Sources of energy on Earth.
Earth's weather and climate is mostly driven by energy from the Sun.
Other materials addressing:
2.3 Earth's climate driven by the Sun.
Water plays a major role in the storage and transfer of energy in the Earth system.
Other materials addressing:
2.4 Water stores and transfers energy.
The effects of changes in Earth's energy system are often not immediately apparent.
Other materials addressing:
2.7 Effects of changes in Earth's energy system .

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

Teaching Tips

  • Packed with information in a short period of time, it offers a "big picture" overview that will require "unpacking".
  • This video could offer a good introduction to a climate change or an Earth System science unit.
  • Audio is necessary to explain what you are seeing. Closed-caption available.
  • Background info and discussion points are on the website.

About the Science

  • This video offers a general overview of the complexities of the Earth System including climate; some details, such as the role of subduction and volcanism to the long term carbon cycle, are not included.
  • Connections to human impacts on climate are embedded in the video.
  • Comments from expert scientist: Highlights the interactive nature of Earth's systems, eg. the role the oceans play in weather.
  • Mentions that Earth's atmosphere is affected by heat stored in Earth's oceans, and then goes on to discuss sea surface temperatures (SSTs) only. It should be made clearer that temperatures below the surface, and deeper currents, also play a role in the redistribution of heat around the planet, and subsequently weather systems.

About the Pedagogy

  • A high-level but accessible overview that offers specific connections to many topics ripe for later discussion or investigation by learners.

Technical Details/Ease of Use

  • High-production-value video. Shows representations of actual datasets.
  • A background essay and discussion questions are provided for teachers.

Jump to this Video »



Have you used these materials with your students? Do you have insights to share with other educators about their use? Please share with the community by adding a comment below.

Please use this space only for discussion about teaching with these particular materials.
For more general discussion about teaching climate literacy please use our general discussion boards.
To report a problem or direct a comment to the CLEAN project team please use our feedback form (or the feedback link at the bottom of every page).
Off-topic posts will be deleted.

Join the Discussion


Log in to reply