Essentials of Environmental Science: Understanding the Atmosphere
Provided by: Hot Mess|Published on: April 27, 2021
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Videos
Subjects: Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Hot Mess, PBS
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video from Hot Mess explains the structure of the atmosphere and how human-caused air pollutants impact the global system.
- Students will learn about the ozone layer, solar radiation, criteria pollutants, and EPA regulations.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- It displays graphs, diagrams, maps, and charts that teachers can pause on to provide a deeper understanding of the various topics covered in this video.
- The video explains atmospheric problems like ozone depletion and criteria pollutants but also discusses solutions like the Montreal Protocol and the Clean Air Act.
Prerequisites
- Students should have a basic understanding of chemical reactions before watching this video.
- There is an error in the video about UVC wavelengths at 2:24, which is explained further in the description and the top pinned comment.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Chemistry classes can use the pH level chart at 5:52 to learn about critical pH levels for various aquatic organisms.
- Social studies classes can analyze the Montreal Protocol as an example of international cooperation to solve an environmental issue. The video and article How to Solve Every Global Crisis can provide additional insight into this topic.
- Other resources related to this topic are Youth Climate Story: Air Pollution in Kansas and Trends in Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide.
This resource is a 13-minute video that presents a comprehensive overview of atmospheric science. The composition of the atmosphere and some of its structure are introduced before discussing the ozone layer, solar radiation, pollution, environmental regulations, industrial pollutants, and other topics. This resource does not shy away from discussing complex topics, but it does a great job of explaining terminology and jargon while making the topic approachable. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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