The Atmosphere
Lesson Hook
For this lesson hook, students will get a chance to experience a journey through the atmosphere. This Youtube video below gives students a experience of the atmosphere that's exciting, powerful and still educational
Pedagogical Approach
As a class, discuss the layers and components of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere) and the associated differences in pressure and temperature. Mention a few important reactions (e.g. formation of ozone). This discussion should then move towards the environmental concerns of the atmosphere due to human activity (anthropogenic sources). Discuss the serious concerns of ozone depletion and how that affects not just the environment, but also humans (e.g. cancer, agricultural loss through Ultra Violet (UV) radiation). Students will then complete the PHET Lab, Which atmospheric gas is the best absorber of IR photons, where they will have the opportunity to understand more about greenhouse gases which will lead perfectly with the next lesson on Global Warming.
Consolidate
As a great way to end the section on the atmosphere, show students Felix Baumgartner's jump from space. After the video, ask students what are the potential risks associated with the jump? How does it compare to climbing Mount Everest? or jumping off a plane?
As a class, discuss the layers and components of the atmosphere (troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere) and the associated differences in pressure and temperature. Mention a few important reactions (e.g. formation of ozone). This discussion should then move towards the environmental concerns of the atmosphere due to human activity (anthropogenic sources). Discuss the serious concerns of ozone depletion and how that affects not just the environment, but also humans (e.g. cancer, agricultural loss through Ultra Violet (UV) radiation). Students will then complete the PHET Lab, Which atmospheric gas is the best absorber of IR photons, where they will have the opportunity to understand more about greenhouse gases which will lead perfectly with the next lesson on Global Warming.
Consolidate
As a great way to end the section on the atmosphere, show students Felix Baumgartner's jump from space. After the video, ask students what are the potential risks associated with the jump? How does it compare to climbing Mount Everest? or jumping off a plane?