CERES Students’ Cloud Observation On-Line Project (S’COOL) Scool.larc.nasa.gov Teacher Professional Development Session 1 Tuesday April 9 th, :15- 5:30 pm Sarah Crecelius Representing The S’COOL Team NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA

What is S’COOL?

S’COOL = Students’ Cloud Observations On-Line We are working with Scientists at NASA Langley to answer a research question… How does S’COOL Relate? Question: What is the Effect of Clouds on the Earth’s Climate?

High, thin, icy clouds let a lot of sunlight through to the surface, but also block a lot of energy from going back to space from Earth. = Warming Low, puffy, thick clouds made of water block a lost of sunlight from the surface and send just as much energy back to space as they do back towards Earth. = Cooling.

How and Why?

How Can You Help Answer this question? Map as of Oct Join S’COOL! S’COOL participants are located around the world!

Being a S’COOL Observer is easy! 1. Request Satellite Overpass Times 2. Observe Clouds 3. Report Data Online Explore: See your data over time a what other classes around the world are seeing! 3 Easy Steps Overpass Times ObserveReport

Request Satellite Overpass Times

Observe Clouds On each level, observe cloud type. On each level, observe cloud cover. On each level, observe visual opacity. Observe the whole sky for: Cloud Cover Sky Visibility Sky Color 3 Contrail Categories Observe the surface conditions and add any additional comments you might have.

Observe Clouds, Teacher Resources

Report Data Online

More Fun! Exploring See your data next to the satellite data! Compare and see if you see any differences or similarities, send us comments on what you found!

Classroom Management

Standard Application National Standards of Learning ************************************************************ Science Standards Science as Inquiry Physical Science Earth and Space Science Science and Technology History and Nature of Science Geography Standards The World in Spatial Terms Mathematics Standards Represent and Interpret Data Solve Problems involving Measurement and Estimation Education Technology Standards Creativity and Innovation Communication and Collaboration Research and Information Fluency Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making Digital Citizenship Technology Operations and Concepts

Look for S’COOL S’COOL Website: scool.larc.nasa.gov Questions: Registration: edu.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/register/ National Conference 2013, April Regional Conferences Portland: Oct Charlotte: Nov 7-9 Denver: Dec Summer 2013 San Francisco December 2013

Thank You! S’COOL Website: scool.larc.nasa.gov Questions: Registration: Questions?

Extra Slides Additional slides contain extra resources to aid this PowerPoint

Education And Public Outreach; Science Directorate NASA Langley Research Center The Science Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center provides many opportunities to involve students, faculty, researchers, and the citizen science community in real world science. The SD EPO Team… Collaborates with the education community to bring authentic Earth science practices and real-world data into the classroom. Provides the public with unique NASA experiences, engaging activities, and advanced technology. Provides products developed and reviewed by science and education experts. Our goals include inspiring the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professionals and improving STEM literacy by providing innovative participation pathways for educators, students, and the public. For further information on any of our Projects or Missions, listed to the right, or to contact us please visit the Science Directorate Education and Public Outreach Website, MY NASA DATA Student Cloud Observations On-Line The GLOBE Program CALIPSO Discover-AQ SAGE III on the International Space Station Long-term Engagement in Authentic Research at NASA

Energy Budget Poster

Our World: What is a Cloud? ?terms=&category=1000 Video

Our World: Monitoring the Earth’s Climate with CERES ps/search.html?terms=&category=1000 Video

Observe Clouds On each level, look for cloud type.

On each level, look for cloud cover. Clear (<10%) Isolated (10 to 25%) Scattered (25 to 50%) Broken (50 to 90%) Overcast (>90%) Observe Clouds

Transparent Thin clouds Light passes through easily Can see blue sky through transparent clouds Translucent Medium-thickness clouds Let some sunlight through Cannot see blue sky though translucent clouds Opaque Thick clouds Do not allow light to pass directly, although light can diffuse through them. Often look gray Observe Clouds

New Observations include: Sky Conditions 3 Contrail Categories Observe Clouds

Sky Conditions Sky Visibility and Sky Color Aerosol Amount Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) Low AOT High AOT Visibility Categories Usually Clear Clear Somewhat Clear Somewhat Hazy Extremely Hazy Sky Color Deep Blue Blue Light Blue Pale Blue Milky Observe Clouds

Sky Color Observe Clouds

Sky Visibility Unusually Clear Clear Somewhat Hazy Very Hazy Extremely Hazy Denali National Park, National Park Service Air Quality Office Slide Credit- GLOBE Program Visibility - Clarity with which objects can be viewed through the intervening atmosphere. Slide Credit- GLOBE Program Observe Clouds