SUMMARY

This activity has been selected for inclusion in the CLEAN Collection based on the following review comments:

These are video and animations of sea level from NASA's Climate website. Since 1992, NASA and CNES have studied sea surface topography as a proxy for ocean temperatures. NASA Missions TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason 1 and Jason 2 have been useful in predicting major climate, weather, and geologic events including El Nino, La Nina, Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

About the Science

• This video interactive educates the viewer on the role that satellites play in studying the topography and temperature of sea water. It also shows how satellites can provide useful information for understanding and predicting major oceanographic events.
• Digital satellite imagery is used throughout to show changes in sea surface height and temperature.
• Background information is available by clicking on the "find out more" button.
• Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

Video/Animation >> Sea Level Viewer

Technical Details/Ease of Use

• The video has several components that can be examined separately from a computer.
• There are no prerequisite skills needed.
• It has well-organized information and lay-out.
• There is no suggested teaching sequence and no teachers' guide is provided.
• Students would be engaged.

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

• The video interactive educates the viewer on the roles satellites have played in understanding how sea-level data can be used to understand and predict oceanographic phenomena.
• It is a unique resource showing the relationship between water temperature and sea-level height.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment is at the discretion of the educator as to how the resource is used.
 

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES