Microsoft Training for Educators

Analyze astronauts’ photos of Earth to predict climate change

Course Description

In pursuit of their mission to improve life, both in space and on Earth, astronauts have been observing and documenting changes to our planet through photographs. With the aid of computational predictive models and artificial intelligence, scientists study and analyze the color values from these images and predict climate change.

This lesson plan introduces students to the seven biomes and their seasons using temperature and precipitation data. Students explore the attributes of their local biome then learn the hexadecimal numbering system to develop an understanding of how computers represent color. Next, they work with photographs taken from the International Space Station and satellites to model seasonal color changes in a biome. Then they engage with machine learning and artificial intelligence modules to detect the season in the image. They compare how humans versus computers see color before they manually predict climate change over time. Finally, they commit to taking social, political, environmental, or economic action in their own communities to protect our planet.

About this Course

Course Outline

Lesson 1: Color as data

How are computers used to describe color data?

Students explore how scientists are incorporating color into computer models used to predict how climate change will influence ocean populations. They explore how color data can be described and classified qualitatively and how computers can be used to quantify a large range of color data using the

Lesson 2: Biomes

Which factors influence the color of biomes?

Students look at how to use data as a driver to understand why changes in color occur in biomes. Student groups work together to investigate the seven terrestrial biomes and their characteristic colors seen from space which are related to factors such as precipitation, temperature and latitude. Students research current concerns for biome regions related to the influence of climate change.

Learning objectives

Students can use temperature, precipitation, and color data to describe Earth’s terrestrial biomes.

Students can describe how changes in physical components of Earth are related to changes in populations within biomes.

Lesson 3: Climate change

How can changes in Earth’s colors be used to predict climate change and inspire action?

Students look at a visualization of the Earth’s changing colors as seen from space over the past 20 years. They interact with a machine learning model that utilizes color data and human input and discuss how the application might be used to determine the effects of climate change. Students then develop a grass roots plan to enact local changes that have global benefit.