Caught in the Solar Wind

A Teaching Unit: Caught in the Solar Wind

A Study of Space Weather and its Influence on Earth

by Alan Chuckran and Bob Hill

Solar

created under the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) program at MIT Haystack Observatory in cooperation with the National Science Foundation.

Abstract

Humans in the 21st century are relying more and more on technology that has the potential to be disrupted by the sun’s influence on Earth’s ionosphere. Space weather is a concept that is becoming more familiar to the general public and will be in the spotlight as we approach the next solar maximum. The goal of this teaching unit is to educate students about the source, mechanisms and impacts of space weather. The unit contains a variety of activities that can be used with students from middle school through high school. The activities are designed to fit together as a cohesive package, but can also stand alone for teachers to select as they choose for their classes.

Table of Contents

Introduction (doc)

National and Massachusetts Educational Standards

Sun and Earth