Understanding Our Planet Educational Resources

It’s a Big World Out There, Let’s Go Exploring!

GeoXO satellite imagery of Earth

Satellites surround Earth, gathering data about its land, oceans and atmosphere. The data they collect helps us learn about weather patterns, drought, plant and ocean health, sea and lake ice, and much more. As technology improves, so does our understanding of the world around us. Use the resources below to learn more about our unique planet.

A drawing of the earth and sun in space.
Why Does Earth Have Seasons?
image of snow capped mountains
What Are the Different Climate Types?
image of the United States showing temperatures.
What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?
Cartoon drawing of an animal being rained on.
What Is Precipitation?
Booklets or zines with illustrations depicting the water cycle.
Make a Zine on the Water Cycle!
Heat Map of the United States
What Is a Heat Wave?
A thermometer and chart with color blocks
Color a Temperature (Ch)art!
A plastic water bottle filled with red color water on a window sill.
Activity: Make a Thermometer
Image of a lightening storm over the USA.
The Most Extreme Weather in America
Composite image with platters of food on a table with a field and sky in the background.
Cooking with JPSS
A child's hand holding a seedling
Learn About Soil Types
Close-up photo of 2 bean sprouts on white backgound
Activity: Grow a Seed or Bean
Photo of homemade paper with close-up picture of a seed sprout
Activity: Make Seed Paper
Diagram of a cross section of land from with different layers of soil at the water edge. Annotations and labels of arrows and words.
Exploring Groundwater
Image of the water cycle JPSS Board Game
Water Cycle Board Game
Orange leaves on a tree.
Why Do Leaves Change Color?
Cross section of tree rings
Printing Tree Rings
An opened journal with color pencils and illustrations of plants and flowers.
Exploring Nature Journaling
Photo of four color maps of the Earth on a tabletop, with a dish with paint
Seasons Greenings
Carved pumpkins lit up in a dark space
Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Animation with timelapse satellite images of the Great Lakes area through the seasons, inset in a puzzle frame.
Great Lakes Seasonal Puzzle

Publication Date: September 12, 2025