More than two years after road access and electrical power to the Mauna Loa Observatory was cut off by lava flows, NOAA staff continue to make critical measurements of the atmosphere and other environmental variables at the remote site.
In 2023, observatory staff installed solar panels at the site and resumed some measurements, including the independent carbon dioxide monitoring programs run by the Global Monitoring Laboratory and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as well as other atmospheric measurements.
Construction of a temporary road to access the observatory site is anticipated to begin in summer 2025.
Media can contact: Theo Stein (303) 819-7409 (theo.stein@noaa.gov)
Welcome to the Teacher Lesson Plan section of the MLO Education Center. The lesson plans below are designed for teachers, educators, and parents that want to create their own fun and informative learning centers for young students. The lesson plans were created by MLO staff and contain basic education about the weather, the earth, the atmosphere, and our environment. If you would like more information on any of these activities, or have any other comments or questions, please contact Darryl Kuniyuki at 808-933-6965 (x237), or email the webmaster.
Each lesson plan contains a description of the purpose and relevance of the activity, as well as a list of materials required to create the activity center, suggested methods of running the lesson, and photographs of a completed activity whenever possible.
All lesson plans are in a printerable Adobe Reader (.pdf) format.
- Activities for Quiet Area
Books, drawing areas, puzzles, and general ideas about how to setup and monitor a quiet area, which is particularly useful for large classes with multiple lesson plan activity stations. - Dressing for Sun-cess
Tips on protecting ourselves from harmful UV rays by wearing appropriate clothing. - Earth Cookies
Demonstrate properties of the Earth's atmosphere in a fun and rewarding way. - Sun Print
Demonstrates the power of the sun in a creative way. - UV Necklace
Allows the students to detect UV and know when to protect themselves. - MLO Website Egg Hunt (for young kids)
A game of trivia questions and answers intended for young kids. The students need to navigate the MLO website and find various information. Answers are provided for teachers. - MLO Website Egg Hunt (for students and adults)
Similar to the above game but more challenging. - Which waters do you want to fish in?
Teaches about the harms ozone depletion and UV exposure can have on people and animals.