Exploration Labs: Graphic Exposure - Clouds and Solar Energy

Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource. Using laptop computers, students graph and analyze satellite data sets. Students consider the benefits of solar energy research and possible future research questions.

Program Cost

$225.00

Contact Information

For more information about this program, contact:

Menzel Smith-Jones
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Bldg.400 – P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
631-344-4495 (phone)
631-344-7089 (fax)
slc@bnl.gov

The Relationship Between the Sun, Clouds, and Solar Energy.

Scientists use and process large amounts of data to build computer models, of cloud systems and other global processes, in a quest to better understand them. Students will reproduce the investigative techniques used by research scientists to determine how atmospheric processes like clouds affect the amount of the sun’s energy reaching the Earth’s surface. In this program, students will use NASA data, computer software and predicting and graphing skills, to determine how clouds affect the amount of solar energy received at a specific location on Earth.

Audience for This Program

Grades: 5-8

Program Benefits

Students will improve, and investigate, a research question about clouds and solar energy by visually representing a data set in a graph. Students make a double line graph using spreadsheet software and laptop computers, and discuss the impact of clouds on the amount of solar energy reaching the Earth.