Launched in 2025, the heat islands module connects students with the latest local and national datasets on heat, linking science directly to their daily lives. Students investigate surface and air temperature patterns, explore how land cover and vegetation shape neighborhood hot spots, and consider the impacts of extreme heat on human health. Through five scaffolded lessons, they work with interactive maps and graphs, analyze heat-mapping data from across the United States, and watch videos featuring student experiences, citizen scientists, and researchers. By combining the most up-to-date data with hands-on tools, the module builds data literacy and empowers students to use evidence and engineering design to propose solutions that help keep communities cooler.

Module resources

Teacher guide

This guide provides educators with lesson plans, background information, and tips and strategies for using the data tools in the module.

Download teacher guide (345 KB PDF) 

Student worksheets (fillable PDF)

These worksheets support the online lessons. Fillable PDFs are digital documents that students can type in and submit to a learning management system.

Download fillable student worksheets (807 KB PDF)

Student worksheets (PowerPoint)

Worksheets in this format give educators flexibility to add (or edit) content for a specific grade level or course.

Editable student worksheets (3.8 MB PPTX)

Worksheet answer keys

Answer keys are available for checking and reviewing answers with students.

Download worksheet answer keys (372 KB PDF)

Science standards

A guide to understanding how this module supports the NGSS and three dimensional learning for middle and high school students.

Read NGSS Connections Science Standards (84 KB PDF)

Module integration

There are many ways to integrate some or all of the lessons in this module into a unit or course. One example, aimed at middle school teachers, is provided here.

Download module integration (71 KB PDF)

The National Integrated Heat Health Information System, the NOAA Climate Program Office, and NOAA Research contributed to this module with funding, data, and expertise.