Taking Earth's Temperature View larger

Taking Earth's Temperature

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Participants are introduced to a type of energy, infrared radiation, which we can’t see with our eyes but we can feel as heat. Then, they explore their outdoor environment using an infrared thermometer (also known as an IR thermometer) to measure the temperatures of concrete, asphalt, grass, and bare soil.

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Related Programming Resources

Hints for uses in your library Are your patrons interested in learning more about citizen science? Check out this video on what it is like to be a participant in the GLOBE program!
Related Links Surface Temperature Protocol
Surface Temperature Protocol Field Guide
World of Change: Global Temperatures
Global Temperature
How is Today’s Warming Different from the Past?
Global warming from 1880 to 2019
Global Temperature Variation
Nope, Earth Isn't Cooling
New Studies Increase Confidence in NASA's Measure of Earth's Temperature
Earth's Climate History: Implications for Tomorrow
Earth's temperature record
What is an Urban Heat Island?
Using Green Roofs to Reduce Urban Heat Islands
E-Training Surface Temperature - GLOBE
Interview with Former GLOBE Program Participant
Originating Source The GLOBE Program
Related Books
[Suggest a book]
What Is Climate Change? by Gail Herman
The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole
Winston of Churchill : one bear's battle against global warming by Jean Davies Okimoto
The tantrum that saved the world by Megan Herbert and Michael E Mann
The lonely polar bear by Khoa Lê
Analyzing climate change : asking questions, evaluating evidence, and designing solutions by Philip Steele
It's Getting Hot in Here: The Past, Present, and Future of Climate Change by Bridget Heos
Exodus by Julie Bertagna

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Rating 
Participants Enjoyed the Activity 
Participants Learned from This Activity 
Activity Instructions Were Clear and Easy to Follow 
Would Recommend 
01/30/2019

States of Matter - Temperature Changes with Our Surroundings

We conducted a States of Matter STEAM session at our library and added the IR Thermometer as a station to illustrate how changes in a substance's temperature may may not be affected by changes in the matter. We also used the IT Thermometer to measure heat signatures throughout the library (near windows, in dark corners of rooms, etc.. The exercise was used to illustrate to children how their environment and materials in it are affected by the sun. Our goal was to help children become more mindful of their environment and how they can personally affect changes.

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Taking Earth's Temperature

Taking Earth's Temperature

Participants are introduced to a type of energy, infrared radiation, which we can’t see with our eyes but we can feel as heat. Then, they explore their outdoor environment using an infrared thermometer (also known as an IR thermometer) to measure the temperatures of concrete, asphalt, grass, and bare soil.