"The sky is falling?”
HEADER PAGE

Abstract: The ozone layer has been a major concern in the last half of the 20th century. This activity is designed to serve as a way for students to interact with the latest real-time ozone data on the web. The lesson will access data from the TOMS webpage (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer; a satellite instrument used to measure ozone levels) to study real-time local and global ozone amounts, and variations.
Another purpose of this activity is to teach your students how to use the TOMS data for research purposes. This activity compliments “Ozone independent research projects (TOMS)”, and acts a tutorial for the website.

Outcomes: By the end of the full activity, the students should be able to:

- explain and find how much ozone is above their heads at any given date
- explain and find how much ozone is above any point on earth at any given date
- explain how ozone amounts change locally and globally
- recall the satellites used to measure ozone data
- independently research ozone data on the web
- critically analyze TOMS ozone data to determine if ozone depletion really exists

Suggested Grade Level & Duration: 9-12

one or two 40-minute class periods (based on individual need)

Materials needed: Computer access to the web.

A printed ACTIVITY SHEET

or a printed blank WEB ANSWER SHEET (if you do the online lesson).

Globe, atlas, or map of your local area (optional)