GLOBE Weather Activity: Why is it hotter at the equator than other places on Earth?
Leaders
Emily Snode-Brenneman, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
melissa rummel, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
Demonstration
Why is it hotter at the equator than other places on Earth? Work in small groups to explore what happens when sunlight strikes the Earth's surface, using a flashlight, clipboard, and graph paper, to change the angle of the "Sun" and observe how the amount of light covering the "Earth" changes. Join us as we demonstrate this activity from GLOBE Weather, a new free NGSS-based unit of instruction for middle school.
Abstract
Weather impacts us everyday, yet the science surrounding weather phenomenon can be difficult for students to comprehend. The University Corporation of Atmospheric Research (UCAR) is proud to share a new free NGSS-based unit about the science of weather for 6th-8th grades. GLOBE Weather is a five-week curriculum that includes investigations of weather phenomena through activities, demonstrations, data collection, and data analysis. This Teaching Demo will focus on Lesson 13: "Why is it hotter at the equator than other places on Earth?" and will give attendees an opportunity to explore what happens when sunlight strikes the Earth's surface.
Context
This hands-on investigation builds upon the previous two Learning Sequences of GLOBE Weather, a new free NGSS-based unit about the science of weather for 6th-8th grades.
Why It Works
In this activity, students become the scientists and debunk the common misconception that the equator is hotter because it is closer to the Sun than other areas on the Earth.
Presentation Media
Slides (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 10.9MB Jul16 19)Presentation Media
GLOBE Weather Lesson 13 Teacher Guide and Student Sheet (Acrobat (PDF) 2.4MB Jul15 19)GLOBE Weather Curriculum (Acrobat (PDF) 32.7MB Jul15 19)