CERES Logo

The CERES S'COOL Project:
Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System
Students' Cloud Observations On-Line

URL: http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/

WHAT IS S'COOL?

Students' Cloud Observations On-Line (S'COOL) is a hands-on project which supports NASA research on the Earth's climate. Science, math, and geography are used as students observe, compute and locate vital information through ground truth observations for the CERES instrument.

WHAT ARE GROUND TRUTH OBSERVATIONS?

To establish the ground truth, a person on the ground (or in an airplane) makes the same observations at the exact time the satellite does. The two observations are then compared to help evaluate how well the satellite instrument and the scientific analysis methods are performing. When patterns of disagreement are found, they can lead to improvements in the analysis methods.

WHAT IS CERES?

Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) is a satellite instrument designed to allow scientists to better understand clouds and their effects on the Earth's climate. CERES measures the heat and sunlight reaching its sensors when it observes clear and cloudy areas of the globe. This helps scientists figure out where clouds act to heat and cool the surface and how clouds are changing due to human activities on Earth.

WHAT IS REQUIRED?

Students make basic weather observations and record the type, amount, and features of clouds in the sky at the exact time that the satellite passes over their location. No special instruments are required. Observations are then either entered into an on-line form, e-mailed, faxed, or mailed to NASA Langley for entry into an on-line database. Students have access to their results and the corresponding satellite data, as well as to observations from other participating schools.

IS THERE A COST INVOLVED?

Instructional materials and information necessary for reporting their results will be mailed to participants. Recognition incentives are available for student observers. There is no cost involved!

EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS

The S'COOL web site identifies the specific U.S. national standards for science, math and geography and technology that are most relevant to S'COOL at each grade level. It also reports teachers' experiences with S'COOL, and effective procedures that teachers have found through implementation in their classrooms.

WHAT CAN YOU TEACH THROUGH S'COOL?

Teachers can adapt and build on the S'COOL project according to the instructional needs and level of their students. Below are some ideas of relevant topics:

Science:

Technology:

Math:

Language Arts:

Geography

Social Science:

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Before observation days:

  1. Register your class using the on-line form: http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/SCOOL/register/

  2. Determine when the satellite passes over your school. Use the S'COOL web site, or we will compute and transmit the times to you separately.

On observation days:
  1. Make basic weather observations and record the types and features of clouds at the appointed time.

  2. Transmit the observations via the on-line form, e-mail, fax, or mail to the S'COOL Team.

After observation days:

  1. Compare your results to those reported by other schools and to corresponding satellite data.

  2. Give feedback on the project.

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

S'COOL is a unique project that involves students in collaborative research with NASA scientists to create learning opportunities and to educate inquisitive minds.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The CERES S'COOL Project
Mail Stop 420
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, VA 23681-2199
Phone: (757) 864-4371
FAX: (757) 864-7996
E-Mail: scool@lists.nasa.gov
URL: http:/scool.larc.nasa.gov