Space Weather Action Center
Source Institutions
-
NASA
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In this interdisciplinary activity, learners create a Space Weather Action Center (SWAC) to monitor solar storms and develop real SWAC news reports. Learners work in teams to first investigate sunspot regions, storm signals, a magnetosphere, and auroras and share their research with their peers. Then, learners assemble an instructional flip chart, data collection clipboards/notebook, and display board for their SWAC. Learners conclude the activity by writing their own weather reports, which can be filmed or broadcast if equipment is available. Once learners create a SWAC, solar storm research and reporting can become an ongoing activity.
- Under 5 minutes
- 4 to 24 hours
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Exhibit, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Drawing supplies (paper, pencils, markers, etc.)
- Blackout Video Clips
- Understanding the Sun Questionnaire
- Answers from Understanding the Sun
- Printouts of imagery from the Space Weather Media Viewer (optional)
- One 3-ring binder
- Fifteen pocket protectors
- Sunspot Regions Flip Chart
- Storm Signals Flip Chart
- Magnetosphere Flip Chart
- Aurora Flip Chart
- Instructional Flip Chart
- Four clipboards
- Four composition books or notebooks
- Four pencils
- Sunspot Regions Data Collection Sheet
- Storm Signals Data Collection Sheet
- Magnetosphere Data Collection Sheet
- Auroras Data Collection Sheet
- Science Display Board (black is preferred)
- Styrofoam ball (3-6 in. diameter)
- Clip board with plastic sleeves
- Packet of Pipe Cleaners (red, blue, green, yellow, purple)
- Glue Stick or Spray Glue
- Heavy Duty or Industrial Strength Velcro
- Scissors
- Paint and brushes (blue, green, yellow, red, orange, black)
- Paper clips
- Magic markers (assorted colors)
- Yarn (assorted colors)
- Space Weather Action Center Script Template
- At least one (1) Internet capable desktop or laptop computer
Subjects
- Earth and Space Science
- Astronomy
- Stars and Galaxies
- Probes, Satellites and Spacecraft
- Earth Processes
- Weather and Climate
- Earth Structure
- Earth's Magnetic Field
- Earth, Moon and Sun
- Earth, Moon and Sun
- Solar System
- The Sun
- Astronomy
- Engineering and Technology
- Computing
- Information Technology
- Technology
- Information and Communication
- Computing
- Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
- Number and Operations
- Representation
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Physical Sciences
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Charges and Currents
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Energy
- Potential and Kinetic Energy
- Light and Optics
- Sunlight and Color
- Motion and Forces
- Structure and Properties of Matter
- Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics
- Vibration and Waves
- Light and Optics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- Science as a Career
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Computers
- Photography and Film/Video
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- use keyboard
- use mouse
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics:
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.C.5a: An angle is measured with reference to a circle with its center at the common endpoint of the rays, by considering the fraction of the circular arc between the points where the two rays intersect the circle. An angle that turns through 1/360 of a circle is called a "one-degree angle," and can be used to measure angles.(more info about this benchmark)
- CCSS.Math.Content.4.MD.C.5b: An angle that turns through n one-degree angles is said to have an angle measure of n degrees.(more info about this benchmark)
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum, NASA
Rights:
- Public Domain
