The Earth's Heat Budget

Roy Plotnick, National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Hands-on laboratory activity that allows students to investigate the effects of distance and angle on the input of solar radiation at Earth's surface, the role played by albedo, the heat capacity of land and water, and how these cause the seasons. Students predict radiative heating based on simple geometry and experiment to test their hypotheses.

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Educator might want to change the reference to Chicago to the location of the school. This would require creating a new version of both the Powerpoint and the student activity sheet. Clarify the geometric relation between latitude and the noon sun angle. Assessment is suggested, but it would benefit from a few more questions that engage students in abstracting from the activity and doing independent thinking.
Students make simple measurements of energy and connect these to Earth's processes. Educator might have to find additional background materials. Activity tests misconceptions with hands-on experimentation through which students learn about topics that may seem complex until you start playing with them.The activity effectively addresses the misconception of the reason for the seasons being the distance between Sun and Earth.
Hands-on, small group lab activity in which students experimentally measure three important factors of Earth's heating budget (distance to sun and angle, albedo, heat capacity). Student learning of the complex content is well-guided by questions. Hands-on activities and measurements followed by guiding questions will help visual learners to understand the concept. Powerpoint presentation should be used to support this activity. The link is given in the reference materials but is easy to miss - see the supporting references section. Elegant pedagogic design. Great way of relating the abstract concept of Earth's heat budget to local conditions (in exercise: Chicago). Students will have to follow instructions carefully in order to collect the correct measurements. Students will probably need consistent guidance through the activities.