The Great Cloud Pixel Challenge for GIS Day 2024

Welcome to the Great Cloud Pixel Challenge, hosted by the OSU College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS)!

The Great Cloud Pixel Challenge consists of four easy-to-use lessons designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and how they are integrated into our daily lives. For 2024, we will focus on making and reporting weather observations. 

You will find each of the lessons posted below. While these lessons are designed to be shared during the month of November (for GIS Day 2024), you can deliver these lessons at any time!  The lesson instructions will have notes on how to adapt them for different dates.   

Check out the Great Cloud Pixel Challenge Q&A!

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Great Cloud Pixel Challenge and GIS

In this lesson, students will get to play around on the NASA Worldview website and make observations and inferences about cloud cover over time, at their location. This can be done as one large group or individually on multiple devices. The website functions best on a computer, but instructions are also included for mobile devices.  

Teacher To Do List: 

  • Review lesson materials
  • Arrange to show the intro video to students (computer/projector or individual devices)
  • Arrange for exploration of the NASA Worldview website as a group using computer/projector, or as individuals using tablets 
  • Print NASA Worldview Treasure Hunt Worksheet for each student
    • Note: if you are not delivering this in conjunction with GIS Day 2024, replace the date November 20th with a date about three weeks out.
  • Deliver lesson
    • Video: 5-minute video to show your class, introducing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Great Pixel Challenge
    • Activity: 15-minute treasure hunt activity to explore the NASA Worldview website and make observations and inferences about cloud cover (all instructions on worksheet linked above)
  • If you want to dive deeper into this topic with your group, review the optional activities at the bottom of the worksheet

Lesson 2: How to Take Weather Observations 

This lesson will take a step away from technology and focus on learning how to use observation skills to obtain good, old fashioned weather observations. 

This lesson has been adapted from NOAA Head in the Clouds Lesson Plan.

Teacher To Do List: 

  • Review lesson materials
  • Arrange to show the lesson video to students (computer/projector or individual devices)
  • Decide how you will provide a view of the sky to your students: 
    • Access to safe outdoor area with view of the sky (preferred)
    • View the clouds through a window or skylight
    • Take photos in advance (be sure to record the time and date)
  • Print (in color): 
  • Print Cloud Observation worksheets for each student
  • Obtain brass fasteners for the Cloud Spotter Wheels
  • Scissors
  • Deliver Lesson
  • If you want to dive deeper into this topic with your group, consider planning a longer-term cloud observation effort with your class, or sharing some hands-on cloud-related learning activities.  See optional activities at the bottom of the worksheet for more details.

Lesson 3: Prepare for GIS Day - Report Cloud Observations!

This lesson will lead students through the process of reporting cloud observations to be used in larger scientific efforts.

These lessons were designed to be shared in concert with GIS Day (Nov. 20th, 2024), as you’ll see in the materials.  If you are delivering the lesson at a different time of year, feel free to change the date of focus. If your class is not taking part in the 2024 challenge activity, the only way they’ll be able to submit observations is through the GLOBE Observer App.  

Teacher To Do List: 

  • Review lesson materials
  • Arrange to show the lesson video to students (computer/projector or individual devices)
  • Decide how you will provide a view of the sky to your students: 
    • Access to safe outdoor area with view of the sky (preferred)
    • View the clouds through a window or skylight
    • Take photos in advance (be sure to record the time and date)
  • Print Report Cloud Observations Worksheet for each student
  • Fill out the back of the worksheet to determine how you and your class will submit your observations
  • Familiarize yourself with and test out your method of submission: 
    • GLOBE Observer App
    • Email to peder.nelson@oregonstate.edu (please email all observations at once if possible, though file sizes might require multiple emails)
    • Facebook page (College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences - Oregon State University)
    • Instagram (CEOAS - Oregon State)
  • Deliver lesson
    • Video: 12 minute video explaining how to submit cloud observations and what to expect on GIS Day
    • Activity: 15 minute activity to download GLOBE Observer App (if using) and alternate instructions for submitting observations (all instructions on worksheet linked above)
  • If you want to dive deeper into this topic with your group, review the optional activities at the bottom of the worksheet

GIS Day Special

Engage with a scientist on Wednesday, Nov 20, 10a-11a Pacific Time on GIS Day! 

Lesson 4: What we Accomplished Together! 

Following all of your groups’ hard work, we will be compiling some information about the cloud observation data we received through this effort and how scientists will use this data in their work.  

Expect this lesson to include a video summarizing the results of the challenge, and ideas on where to go next with your group. Stay tuned!

Please send questions to ryan.brown@oregonstate.edu.