Cloud Clues - Determining a Cloud's Opacity

Categorize various materials by opacity and understand why cloud opacity matters. Add a light sensor to measure how much light passes through the materials.

Versión en español, "Pistas en las Nubes"

Estimating Cloud Cover

Create a cloud collage and ask your friends to guess the percentage of cloud cover. Expand or adapt this activity by printing photos of the sky and asking participants to identify the cloud coverage.

See a video demonstration of Estimating Cloud Cover as a family activity (YouTube)

En Español: Estimación de la cobertura de nubes (PDF)

Cloud in a Bottle

Create a cloud using rubbing alcohol and an air pump and investigate it using a laser.

You can also do this demonstration using water, ice and a match.

Cloud in a Jar

Bring the clouds down to Earth! Simple directions to create a cloud in a jar.

Versión en español, La Nube en un Frasco

Cloud Opacity Experiment

An experiment to demonstrate the differences in the way sunlight interacts with clouds of varying opacity, and how that impacts surface temperature.

Cloud Teller

Learn about the different types of clouds with this paper fortune teller.

Cloudscape

Create a sky scene using materials like wax paper, fabric and paper, and learn about the different characteristics of clouds.

Observation Stations

Observation Stations are typically 2' concrete stickers, from which citizen scientists can take observations using the GLOBE Observer app. Observing from a station provides additional information that allows our team to study things like change over time or the accuracy of the app. Download the template file and check out the Facilitator's Guide for guidance on customizing and placing your stations.

Templates

Facilitator's Guide

Pacing Guide: Cloud Types Featuring NASA GLOBE CLOUD GAZE

A pacing guide for educators with one week's worth of content related to the question, "What are the different types of clouds in Earth’s atmosphere?" Includes relevant standards, background information, activities, and assessment options. Grade level: 3-6

Pacing Guide: Clouds and Energy Budget

A pacing guide for educators with one week's worth of content related to the question, "What is the role of clouds in Earth’s energy budget?" Includes relevant standards, background information, activities, and assessment option. Grade level: 6-12

Sky Conditions

Demonstrate how aerosols affect visibility using water and milk.

Touching the Clouds

Create a tactile model of common types of clouds to learn to describe the clouds based on their shape and texture.