Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Radiant Energy Flow
A virtual lab to look at the physical features of Earth that affect the amount of the Sun's energy that hits Earth. Students investigate how solar and infrared radiations enters and leaves the atmosphere with this model. Virtual lab...
California Institute of Technology
Ipac: Iras Gallery
This site from IPAC is a series of images of various celestial objects and regions as viewed in infrared light. Each photo is accompanied by a caption.
NASA
Nasa: The Space Place: Match Light Faces With Heat Faces
This site from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provides information on the subject. "An infrared camera sees heat, rather than light. Can you match up the face in the infrared image with the same face in visible light?"
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Berkeley Lab: University of California: Electromagnetic Radiation
This page defines electromagnetic radiation. Included are links to more information.
University of California
Center Science Edu.: Electromagnetic Radiation on Trial
Here is a 1-5 day unit on electromagnetic radiation that features a teacher guide and student activities with extensions.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Spectroscopy: Interaction of Light and Matter
Tutorial provides a discussion of UV-Vis spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and the Beer-Lambert law.
California Institute of Technology
Cal Tech: Two Micron All Sky Survey
Learn about the Two Micron All Sky Survey project, in which telescopes and observatories scan the sky for infrared radiation in order to learn more about the Milky Way galaxy. The infrared spectrum is described and its importance to...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Electromagnetic Waves
Using a student-teacher dialogue format, this page discusses the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave and the electromagnetic spectrum.
King's Centre for Visualization in Science
Explaining Climate Change: Lesson 4: Climate: A Balancing Act
How does the Earth's energy balance regulate climate? This is the fourth lesson in a series of learning modules on the topic of climate change. This lesson explores how different factors can impact the amount of energy that enters and...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Light, Matter, Energy: Light the Way
What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it work? Review a captioned graphic that explains electromagnetic radiation and the visible and invisible types of radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum.
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: Small but Wise
Describes the WISE Project, which has an infrared telescope orbiting the Earth taking photographs of never before seen areas of space.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Greenhouse Gases
Do you understand the relationship between temperature and carbon dioxide in our atmosphere? This computer model shows factors such as clouds and carbon dioxide that could cause global temperatures to rise. Students investigate how the...
University of California
U.c. Berkeley: Spectra From Space
View the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and get information on telescopes especially designed to view different wavelengths of the spectrum.
Science Struck
Science Struck: What Is a Bolometer and What Is It Used For?
A bolometer is an instrument used to measure radiant energy. Learn about its history, its advantages, how it works, some different types, and its important applications.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: The Em Spectrum: Waves of Energy
Students are introduced to the electromagnetic spectrum through this group research activity. Each group investigates a different wavelength range within the em spectrum and reports back to class. Discussion ideas also included.
NASA
Nasa: Cobe: Cosmic Background Explorer
The Cosmic Background Explorer, or COBE, satellite began its space mission in November of 1989. Its task was to measure radiation levels from the early stages of the universe. This site explains the mission goals, COBE's specialized...
NASA
Nasa: Match Light Faces With Heat Faces
Can you picture someone in infrared? In this game, you try to match pictures taken of faces with a regular camera with those taken with an infrared camera. After the game, there is background information on infrared waves.
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey: Cloud Development
This site explores the importance of clouds and how clouds are formed. Content details common atmospheric cooling mechanisms and atmospheric stability.
NASA
Nasa's the Space Place: A Trip to the Land of the Magic Windows
Explore the electromagnetic spectrum and learn about each type of energy on the spectrum.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Analyzing Greenhouse Gases and Global Temperature Data Over Time
In this activity, students plot data on the concentrations of various greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere and look for trends. They will learn that greenhouse gases allow the Sun's light to pass through them to the surface of Earth,...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Infra Red Eye Special
A description of the ways in which infra-red is used in astronomy, including an extended example describing how infra-red was used to learn about Pluto's moon, Charon. There are also links to other sites of astronomical interest.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Frontline
This video segment adapted from FRONTLINE introduces the electromagnetic spectrum and explains how the various types of electromagnetic waves are distinguished by the amount of energy each wave carries.
Concord Consortium
Concord Consortium: Stem Resources: Greenhouse Effect in a Greenhouse
A lab where students will construct their own small greenhouse out of a plastic container, plastic wrap, and different materials to observe the effect this has on temperature. Data is collected, graphed, and saved online to be graded by...
Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: William Herschel
Learn about the life and work of William Herschel, and find out about his telescope coinstruction and solar system reserach.