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Engaging Students in the Science of Climate Change: Using Earth Observing Data in the Classroom
Project Team:
PI: Mary Martin Erik Froburg
Scott OllingerAnnette Schloss
Lara Gengarelly
Haley Wicklein
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Cultivation in 1 Liter milk bottles
CO2 deprived
Control
NaOHabsorbs CO2
0.000
0.004
0.008
0.012
0.016
0.020
shoot root whole plant
Dry
weig
ht (
g)
ControlCO2 deprived
a
a
a
bb
b
Carbon Cycle Basics
Field Activities - measuring carbon storage
Modeling - simple one-box biomass to global carbon cycle
Plant-a-Plant CO2/light/fertilizer
GLOBE Carbon Cycle Activities
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Single-site biomass accumulation model diagram and sample output showing data runs for current and future climate conditions in the mid-Atlantic.
The relationship between net primary production and (a) annual temperature and (b) annual precipitation for ecosystems around the world. From Leith 1975.
Net Primary Productivity predicted from temperature and precipitation as shown to the left.
Net Primary Productivity predicted from the MODIS sensor (annual NPP 2006)
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Climate MapsMaps of temperature and precipitation patterns across the US and the globe for historic and future climate scenarios. Available annually and seasonally, for the entire globe, or just North America (higher spatial resolution).
Data from: University of Santa Clara Statistically Downscaled WCRP CMIP3 Climate Projections.
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AnimationsAnimations over time of historical and future climate, biomass accumulation, and vegetation indices
200 year global temperature animation
Global biomass accumulation over 200 years
10 year monthly NDVI animation
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Single Site Climate Data This interactive tool generates a graph of historical and future climate for a specific
latitude and longitude, as well as downloadable text data for further analysis. Enter latitude and longitude….
…and retrieve climate graphics and data specific to that location
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Picture Post website: http://picturepost.unh.edu/
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Picture Post Extensions Picture Post supports environmental monitoring by citizens and students through digital images. Student Climate Data offers feature enhancement such as animations over time, activities, and connections with NASA satellite image products
Animation of picture post imagery, as well as a corresponding calculated greenness index, MODIS NDVI, and MODIS albedo for the same period.
Development of a detailed PicturePost image analysis activity using the Digital Earth Watch “Analyzing Digital Images” software.
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Website and Data Accesshttp://studentclimatedata.unh.edu
Website under development:
• Project Information• Data resources and activities
-Animations (climate, NDVI, biomass accumulation, etc)-Climate maps-Current and future climate projections-Student activities-Screencasts and podcasts-Biome and climate resources -Picture Post activities and animations
• Links to primary data sources and additional resources
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What next?Landsat Clic’nPic - add image retrieval options to simplify classroom access and analysis.
Albedo - develop data query, timeline, animation and activities utilizing MODIS albedo data.
Carbon field data - upload, view, query of student carbon data. In collaboration with National Wildlife Federation (Eco-Schools).
IGCCE - Engaging Minority University STEM Professors in the Science of Climate Change. In collaboration with Linda Hayden at Elizabeth City State University, NC. Use of GLOBE Carbon Cycle and NICE materials in week-long summer institute with year-round participant support.