Audience
Educators
Grade Levels
Grades 5-8
Subject
Physical Science, Technology, Waves, Energy, Light, Satellites
Type
Lesson Plans / Activities
Two hands-on activities help students learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, or different forms of light detected by Earth-observing satellites. In one activity, students use a jump rope to simulate the relationship between wavelength and energy. In another activity, students make goggles to simulate infrared light.
These activities help students understand the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), a collaborative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA, that detects various wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum including infrared light to measure the temperature of Earth’s surface, oceans and atmosphere.
Next Generation Science Standards:PS4.A, PS4.B, PS3.A, PS3.B, ESS2.A, EES2.C, ESS2.D