Stratospheric Ozone
The lab activity described here and this Starting Point page were both created by Robert MacKay, Clark College . Much of the online data, images, and video clips referenced are based on material from NASA.
This activity was selected for the On the Cutting Edge Reviewed Teaching Collection
This activity has received positive reviews in a peer review process involving five review categories. The five categories included in the process are
- Scientific Accuracy
- Alignment of Learning Goals, Activities, and Assessments
- Pedagogic Effectiveness
- Robustness (usability and dependability of all components)
- Completeness of the ActivitySheet web page
For more information about the peer review process itself, please see http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/review.html.
This page first made public: Apr 10, 2006
This material was originally created for
Starting Point:Introductory Geology and is replicated here as part of the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Summary
Animations clips from NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio are used to help guide students through an introductory tutorial on stratospheric ozone. Students then explore observational data from ozone-sondes, TOMS, and UARS measurements to learn about changes in stratospheric ozone over the past several decades. Measurements and model predictions are also used to help students understand future stratospheric ozone recovery scenarios.
Learning Goals
click to enlarge
Key learning objects include:
- learn about the structure of Earth's atmosphere;
- learn about stratospheric ozone:
- how it is produced and destroyed,
- where it is located,
- why it is important,
- and how it is changing.
- learn about the average vertical distribution of ozone and the vertical location of the ozone hole;
- learn about ozone measurement and measurement units appropriate for ozone concentrations;
- learn about factors that may influence the timing of the ozone hole recovery.
Context for Use
This activity and/or the online learning module is appropriate for introductory geoscience courses in which a unit on ozone is planned. The learning activity in pdf format which guides students through the learning module can easily be modified for the particular student population.
Description and Teaching Materials
Stratospheric ozone learning Module
Ozone Activity (Acrobat (PDF) 180kB Feb11 04) This is available for student download at the Stratospheric ozone learning Module link above.
Ozone Activity Answers (Acrobat (PDF) 182kB Feb11 04)
Teaching Notes and Tips
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Assessment
The teaching materials contain a student activity that can help promote student learning. A follow-up class discussion and possible exam questions related to this activity can also be used to help assess student understanding of key ideas and concepts.
References and Resources
The Stratospheric ozone learning Module provides several references for and links. Included are:
Many thanks to Dr. Charles Jackman for allowing access to video clips.
