Amazing Albedo

This classroom activity gives students a firsthand look at how the color of a surface influences its ability to reflect or absorb heat. The printable five-page handout includes a series of inquiry-based questions to get students thinking about what they already know about albedo. There are detailed experiment directions along with a worksheet that helps students use the experiment results to obtain insight into which areas of the globe reflect more solar radiation and why snow-capped Antarctica is not sweltering. Educational levels: High school, Middle school