A satellite is an object that orbits around a planet, like the Earth. Humans build satellites full of different types of sensors to study our planet from space. Satellites help us learn more about Earth by collecting important data that we cannot necessarily collect from Earth’s surface.
In this lesson, we’ll discover how satellites measure changes in sea level. We’ll look at how warmer water and melting ice affect sea levels around the world. Finally, you’ll build your own satellite model that can measure sea level before and after ice melts.
Global Goals & Indigenous Perspectives
This lesson supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 global goals to make the world a better place. Specifically, we’ll focus on:
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable)
- Goal 14: Life Below Water (conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources)
To fully achieve these goals, it’s crucial to integrate diverse knowledge systems. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) emphasizes that for many Indigenous cultures, the relationship with water and the environment is deeply significant. When we discuss sea level rise, or taĘ”lunaWW (ocean) level rise, we consider not only scientific measurements, but also the profound impacts on ancestral lands, cultures, and ways of life.
By collecting sea level data using satellites, we get a better understanding of our ocean health, contribute to sustainable climate action, and and work towards safer, more resilient communities and ecosystems.
