The Sun is the source of Earth's surface energy, so what happens when it maxes out? What danger is the Sunshine State in when the Sun peaks its activity cycle with more sunspots, solar flares and UV rays? Using graphing calculators, participants will find what patterns emerge at solar maximum when sunspot numbers are time-plotted, and how Earth reacts to a scorching from the sun.
Activity One: The Sunspot Cycle
The Solar Cycle
Objective: The student will create a list and construct a graph of the number of sunspots using both technology and paper. The student will explore patterns in the data and locate the maximum and minimum.
Activity Two: Sunspot Activity and Ocean Temperature
Sunspot and Ocean Temp
Objective: Students will analyze and compare two graphs to determine if there is a correlation between solar activity and ocean temperature.
Sea Surface Temperature vs. Sunspot data table 1992 - 2012
In the problem-based laboratory activity described at the NSTA Learning Center, students evaluate the causality of changes on the solar surface in regard to climate change and warming in Earth’s environment. They use graphing calculators and real-time data from the internet to research the possible effects of sunspot activity on ocean temperatures in the Atlantic. The 5E constructivist instructional model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate (Bybee 1997)—is used to analyze a false hypothesis linking sea-surface temperature to the Sun.
