Earth Science Week 2010 - Exploring Energy

This daytime talk show style video introduces the energetic theme of Earth Science Week, how NASA and energy are connected, and looks in depth at some of the resources available to science educators inside the Earth Science Week Kit. Hosted by Trena Ferrell-Branch, the video features an interview with Dr. Eric Brown De Colstoun and Theresa Schwerin.

For complete transcript, click here.

How do hurricanes get their energy? NASA hurricane scientist Dr. Jeff Halverson explains how hurricanes draw energy from the ocean surface. The video also provides an example of a classroom activity that allows students to map the change in sea surface temperature over time. This activity from My NASA Data uses actual data gathered from Hurricane Rita, which struck the Gulf of Mexico in September 2005.

For complete transcript, click here.

How does NASA "see" thermal radiation? This video explores what infrared energy is and how NASA detects it to study our Earth's systems more completely. Satellite measurements over time allow scientists to study seasonal changes in local and global temperatures, as well as longer term trends in temperature over time. This video also includes a look at the experiment Sir William Herschel conducted that led to the discovery of infrared.

For complete transcript, click here.