1. Begin the activity by dividing your learners into small learning groups of 3-4 learners each. Be sure the groups have enough space to spread the images out and discuss without disturbing other groups.

2. Hand out a set of images to each group. You can make note that the three images are sequential: Old Faithful 1 is near the beginning of an eruption, Old Faithful 2 is near the middle of an eruption, and Old Faithful 3 is near the end of an eruption.

3. Refresh the understanding of infrared images by asking a simple question, "What is the image on the right showing you?" Be sure to get a clear answer of, "It's showing us the relative temperature of the areas of the image using the temperature legend as a guide", before moving forward.

4. To each group, hand out Worksheet 1 (Section V, A). Assign a recorder to write answers for the group. Allow 10 minutes for completion of the worksheet.

Worksheets (Section V): (MS word version | pdf version)

5. When the groups are finished, go over the answers to Worksheet 1 (Section V, A) by asking groups to report their answers. Encourage them to express additional questions they may have about the images.

B. Exploring Geothermal Features in the Infrared

Activity Time: 45-60 minutes

In this culminating activity learners will be creating their own infrared images of geothermal features and then self-assessing their work by using actual infrared images of the features taken at Yellowstone National Park. Learners should have a familiarity and understanding of the geothermal features presented in this activity before they begin. The worksheets have basic information on the geothermal feature which should be supplemented by their own textbook or another resource. Be aware, if you allow the students to research online they will most likely stumble across the Infrared Yellowstone Gallery and will see the infrared images we use in this lesson.

Provided for you are 3 separate worksheets that you can use for this activity. There is a worksheet for mudpots (Worksheet 2, Section V.B), hot springs (Worksheet 3, Section V.C), and hot spring terraces (Worksheet 4, Section V.D). The Hot spring terraces worksheet is the most challenging of the three.

Worksheets (Section V): (MS word version | pdf version)

You may choose to break your class into small learning groups for this activity or have individuals work independently.

1. Each learner or learning group will need a visible light image set for a feature (mudpots, hot springs, or hot springs terraces), a corresponding worksheet, and a set of crayons or colored pencils.

• Mudpots: Image Set 3: Mudpot 1a, Mudpot 2a, Mudpot 3a and Worksheet 2
  
• Hot Springs: Image Set 4: Hot Springs 1a, Hot Springs 2a, Hot Springs 3a and Worksheet 3
  
• Hot Springs Terraces: Image Set 5: Hot Springs Terraces 1a, Hot Springs Terraces 2a, Hot Spring Terraces 3a and Worksheet 4

Image Appendix, Image Set 3: Mudpots (Section VI, C): (MS word version | pdf version)
Image Appendix, Image Set 4: Hot Springs (Section VI, D): (MS word version | pdf version)
Image Appendix, Image Set 5: Hot Spring Terraces (Section VI, E): (MS word version | pdf version)

Worksheets (Section V): (MS word version | pdf version)

2. As a first step, learners should review the information presented on the geothermal feature that we provide as well as use their textbook to research properties and behaviors of their feature.

3. To complete the worksheet(s), your learners will apply their understanding of infrared images and the geothermal feature to "false color map" a gray-scale version of the visible light image. They will also answer a few basic questions about their reasoning.

4. After completion of the worksheet(s), hand out to each learner/group the infrared image set of their geothermal feature and the Worksheet 5 (Section V.E).

Worksheets (Section V): (MS word version | pdf version)

• Mudpots: Image Set 3: Mudpot 1b, Mudpot 2b, Mudpot 3b (Section VI.C) and Worksheet 5 (Section V.E)
  
• Hot Springs: Image Set 4: Hot Springs 1b, Hot Springs 2b, Hot Springs 3b (Section VI.D) and Worksheet 5 (Section V.E)
  
• Hot Springs Terraces: Image Set 5: Hot Springs Terraces 1b, Hot Springs Terraces 2b, Hot Spring Terraces 3b (Section VI.E) and Worksheet 5 (Section V.E)

5. On the Worksheet 5 (Section V.E) they are asked to reflect on how they completed their geothermal feature worksheet(s) and how it compares to the real infrared image.

6. Hold a class discussion to conclude the activity. Groups or individuals can present their geothermal feature worksheet(s) and their Worksheet 5 results.