Sea-Level Rise – The Albedo Effect
Activity link: https://encounteredu.com/take-action/albedo-effect
Grades: 5+
Duration: 25 minutes
Materials:
-
- A piece of white or reflective material (aluminum foil)
- a piece of black material (felt)
- 2 thermometers
- a heat source such as a lamp (a traditional light bulb will work much better than an energy-saving one, this is because energy-saving bulbs are designed to give out less waste heat)
OSO alignment: Sea level rise will be a concept that is covered in the 2023-24 OSO curriculum update. In this activity, students learn about the Albedo Effect and how decreasing sea ice in the Arctic Ocean contributes to a lowering of the albedo and an increase in the amount of solar energy absorbed in the region.
NGSS performance expectation: 5-PS1-3. Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties. MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. MS-ESS2-6. Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.