The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), an advanced sounder containing 2378 infrared channels and four visible/near-infrared channels, aimed at obtaining highly accurate temperature profiles within the atmosphere plus a variety of additional Earth/atmosphere products. AIRS will be the highlighted instrument in the AIRS/AMSU-A/HSB triplet centered on measuring accurate temperature and humidity profiles throughout the atmosphere.
Type of Material:
Reference Material
Recommended Uses:
This site would be a reference tool for class projects, with direction from a teacher. Could be used in class or at home. There are sample lessons, which can be downloaded.
Technical Requirements:
Web browser, may be followed on Flickr, YouTube and shared on several sites.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Using satellite data, this site will allow teachers to enhance student views of the earth from space and design lessons in Earth Science, Geography, Social Science, climate change and other lessons showing real time data.
Target Student Population:
• Middle school, high school and college.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Background knowledge would need to be built up for students of all ages on how to use and interpret the information. Computer must accept Shockwave files.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Very clean, organized website with information that is accurate and very up to date. It uses the latest technology in data retrieval and sharing. Information on the instruments, missions and significant findings are easily found and retrieved. The maps from satellites provide current data. There is a FAQ page for questions.
Concerns:
Students must be cautioned that the images on this site must be properly cited, however, the site itself has a great page that explains how to do this and give examples.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The current data is available as well as research regarding how these instruments observe the global water and energy cycles, climate variation and trends, and the response of the climate system to increased greenhouse gases. The sample lesson plans give teachers an idea of how these maps and data can be used in their classes.
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Easy to use. Users can download data from an anonymous ftp site.
The menus are clear and easy to navigate. Each page connected with the image contains explanations of each of the images.
The selected lesson plans were developed by teachers and were chosen as winners in a national contest.
This is a great site for teachers and students.
Concerns:
None.
Other Issues and Comments:
Great site. Well designed. It allows teachers to design lessons and projects around real time data.
Creative Commons:
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