Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
NASA Tools Enhance Student Learning with Satellite Data
As the new school year begins, educators are embracing innovative resources that allow for the integration of NASA satellite data into classroom experiences. NASA has amassed a vast collection of Earth observation data over its 50-plus years of operation, totaling millions of gigabytes. Since 2004, the My NASA Data platform has paved the way for students ranging from grades 3 to 12 to interact with and visualize this rich dataset, making it relevant for contemporary science curricula.
Angie Rizzi, who leads the My NASA Data initiative at NASA’s Langley Research Center, highlighted the diverse formats of educational resources available: “We provide a variety of lesson plans that cater to both teachers and students. Educators can easily download comprehensive plans or present various Earth data. Additionally, there are interactive lessons for students to engage with directly.”
A prominent feature of the My NASA Data site is the enhanced Earth System Data Explorer visualization tool. This tool enables users to access and download a wide array of NASA Earth data, with an emphasis on creating custom analyses through data tables, graphs, and plots. It allows students to explore relationships between different environmental variables, such as land surface temperatures and cloud cover, across various global regions.
Desiray Wilson, a scientific programmer for My NASA Data, elaborated on the tool’s capabilities: “The Earth System Data Explorer organizes datasets by the major components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere and hydrosphere. The historical context provided by the data, dating back to the 1980s, allows for the examination of both historical and current trends.”
The My NASA Data website recorded over one million visits last year, with users frequently searching for information on climate aspects like temperature, precipitation, and air quality.
Natalie Macke, an experienced science teacher from Pascack Hills High School in Montvale, New Jersey, contributes to the development of educational resources through collaboration with the My NASA Data team. Feedback from educators has led to significant improvements in the visualization tool, such as the ability to swipe between data layers and conduct side-by-side comparisons. The updated system also simplifies the identification of geographic data by automating latitude and longitude display.
Macke remarked on the user-friendly design of the new visualization tool, stating, “The interface allows students to quickly select the data they wish to examine. A map pops up instantly, showing them satellite imagery of specific locations, enabling a straightforward approach to accessing multiple datasets for analysis.”
Beyond just facilitating lesson-specific visualizations, Macke notes the broader educational value inherent in using My NASA Data: it fosters crucial skills in data interpretation and literacy. “Understanding how to evaluate datasets critically is essential for students,” she said. “It equips them to assess data accurately, distinguishing between mere assumptions and substantiated conclusions.”
According to Macke, the program’s relevance becomes particularly apparent when students relate the data to their immediate surroundings: “By connecting satellite data to their daily experiences, students can grasp how NASA’s Earth observations impact real-world contexts. Cultivating data literacy is key; it encourages them to explore and ask questions about Earth—a curiosity that often sparks a lifelong interest in science.”
For further resources, visit My NASA Data, explore the Earth System Data Explorer, or join the My NASA Data Educator Community.
Source
www.nasa.gov