T/G Layout 1

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Authors:

Bob Mishev, DuVal High School, Lanham, Maryland

Wayne Rinehart, North Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown, Maryland

Lonita Robinson, Suitland High School, District Heights, Maryland

Nancy Wilkerson, Prince George’s County Schools, Maryland

Grade level: 9–12

Objectives:

Using weather satellite images, students will:

1. Identify areas of cooler or warmer surfaces on land and water;


2. Use currents to show some magnitude and direction of weather vectors
   (movements); and


3. Use water currents and cloud formations to identify some temperature differences.

Relevant Disciplines:

Earth and space science

Time Requirement:

1–2 class periods

Image Format:

Geostationary and/or polar-orbiting, visible and infrared

Materials:

1. Direct readout station or computer equipped to display imagery


2. P i c t u re displays or a television that can interface with and display a computer scre e n

Procedure:

1. Display model images on the screen or bulletin board with identifiable features of:
   land masses, water bodies, clouds and/or currents.


2. Use a data display (liquid crystal display—LCD) or other display method to enable
   all students to see imagery.


3. Entire class interacts with imagery displayed.

ctivities

Hands-on student identification of:

• Land masses e.g., Florida, Baja


• Water bodies e.g., Great Lakes, Chesapeake


• Cloud formations (small storms, thunderstorms, cyclones, hurricanes)


• Currents (air or water, jet streams)

Note: Some events, such as hurricanes, are seasonal. Timing is critical when using real-

time imagery. Developing an archive of files will provide flexibility.

Extensions:

1. Practice, practice, practice


2. Follow a storm, make predictions

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IN F R A R E D A N D VI S I B L E

SAT E L L I T E IM A G E S–PA RT 2