with Karen Smith (Oct 2013)
Dr. Karen Smith is an atmospheric scientist and a post-doctoral research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. Her research interests lie in better understanding climate variability on seasonal to decadal time scales. In particular, she is interested in how ozone depletion has affected the climate of Antarctica over the past several decades. She uses a combination of observational data analysis and complex computer models, known as global climate models (GCM), to study the variability of the large-scale atmospheric circulation of the mid- and high latitudes. In this E2C workshop, Dr. Smith will discuss the recent trends in Antarctic sea ice and how global climate models are used to help understand whether the sea-ice trends we observe are linked to ozone depletion.
Here is the introductory presentation (Michael J Passow)
Here is Dr. Karen Smith’s presentation
Selected Educational Activities about Ozone
Stratospheric Ozone (SERC)
http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/teachingwdata/examples/StO3.html
Animations clips from NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio are used to help guide students through an introductory tutorial on stratospheric ozone. Students then explore observational data from ozone-sondes, TOMS, and UARS measurements to learn about changes in stratospheric ozone over the past several decades. Measurements and model predictions are also used to help students understand future stratospheric ozone recovery scenarios.
Analyzing the Antarctic Ozone Hole
SERC Earth Exploration Toolbook
http://serc.carleton.edu/eet/ozonehole/index.html
You will examine Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) images from the EarthProbe satellite that show how much ozone is in the atmosphere over the Southern Hemisphere. You will interpret the images to identify the ozone “hole” that develops over this region every year during the Southern Hemisphere’s spring, comparing its size from year to year.
Next, you will use ImageJ, a public domain image analysis program, to quantify the area of the Antarctic ozone hole each October from 1996 to 2005. You will import your measurements into Microsoft Excel and create a graph to document changes in the size of the ozone hole.
Ozone Depletion
Environmental Studies Activities for the 21st Century (Dr. J. Pratte, Kennesaw State University)
http://esa21.kennesaw.edu/activities/atmosphere/atms_ozone.pdf
Discussion of holes in the stratospheric ozone layer usually revolves around investigations of the thickness of the layer near the South Pole. This online activity allows users to study the thickness of the ozone layer over any location on Earth to see how it has changed over time. This is done by plotting historical data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) Program, which has been in operation since 1978. Users are allowed to select their own location on Earth and the period over which they plot the data. A link to TOMS datasets is provided.
Stratospheric Ozone: A Balancing Act
UCAR Learning Activities
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_6_2_25t.htm
This activity helps students understand the concept of equilibrium as applied to a model system and to stratospheric ozone. Although the materials are easy to come by, this model set-up does require a fair amount of preparation. You may want to do this as a classroom demonstration.
Whole Body Ozone Chemistry
UCAR Learning Activities
http://www.ucar.edu/learn/1_6_2_26t.htm
In this activity, students will play the roles of various atoms and molecules to help them better understand the formation and destruction of ozone in the stratosphere.
Stratospheric Ozone
Studying Earth’s Environment from Space
http://www.ccpo.odu.edu/~lizsmith/SEES/ozone/ozone.htm
The goal of this NASA Earth Science Enterprise-funded project is to increase the use of satellite data in high school and college science classrooms by developing classroom materials linked to guided inquiry computer exercises. This Stratospheric Ozone module is one of four Studying Earth’s Environment from Space (SEES) modules. Each module consists of three sections: Class Resources, Computer Lab Resources and a Glossary and Acronym List.
Ozone: The Good and the Bad
NASA Spaceplace posters
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/posters/
The front of this poster is a cartoon profile of the atmosphere, showing the ?good and bad? roles of ozone in the stratosphere, high troposphere, mid-troposphere, and surface. The back contains six panels that can be photocopied separately. It is a classroom activity article, beginning with an explanation of ozone?s roles, and an introduction to spectroscopy. Also included are detailed instructions for building a spectroscope using a CD or a DVD. (Folded color poster, 22?W x 25-1/2?H.)