GLOBE
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together
to study and understand the global environment. GLOBE students make a core
set of environmental observations at or near their schools and report their
data via the Internet to the GLOBE student data server. Scientists use GLOBE
data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their
science education. Each day images created from the GLOBE student data sets
are posted on the world wide web, allowing students to visualize student
environmental observations. By participating in GLOBE, teachers guide their
students through daily, weekly, and seasonal environmental observations,
such as air temperature and precipitation. Scientists and other students
use these data for their research. This is an excellent opportunity for
teachers to integrate computers and the world wide web into classroom activities.
GLOBE science and education activities help students reach higher levels
of achievement in science and math. GLOBE helps to increase the environmental
awareness of all individuals while increasing our scientific understanding
of the Earth.
Scientists and educators designed the GLOBE program so that students
can have an opportunity to participate in "real science" and contribute
to the understanding of the Earth as a system. Students are empowered and
motivated by involvement in GLOBE. "I like going outside and studying
things that real scientists study. It makes me feel important and that I
have a big purpose." (Nikki Erikson, fourth grader, Indian Hills Elementary
School, Salt Lake City, Utah).
Scientists value the data that the students contribute to GLOBE. "The
GLOBE student data will make a real contribution in our efforts to study
our planet's health!" (Dr. Susan Postawko, atmospheric scientist, University
of Oklahoma).
Scientists and students collaborate in the study of the Earth. "As
educators, we are challenged to make science exciting and relevant for young
people. GLOBE, an environmental education program appropriate for the third
millennium, meets that challenge by directly linking students with scientists
in an international effort to increase our understanding of Earth."
(John Padalino, chair, National Science Teachers Association Environment
Education Advisory Board).
The issues related to integrating scientists and students are represented
at several levels: the design of the program, conducting of research, learning
of science, and use of technology.
Scientists, educators, systems specialists, and evaluators are involved
in the design of the GLOBE program. To work as a team, they need to communicate
effectively with each other and collaborate in a geographically distributed
environment. In conducting research, scientists need to be assured that
the quality of the student collected data will meet professional standards.
The program design incorporates data quality control in the training of
the teachers, learning activities for the students, and review of the protocols
and data by the scientists. The learning of science needs to be authentic
in the sense that the students need to understand that data quality is important
and that scientific procedures must be followed. At the same time, the students
need to learn how to conduct investigations using the inquiry process.
While there are many students and few scientists in these partnerships,
scientists and students can collaborate on activities. The challenge is
to design the collaboration so that it is personal and interactive. Technology
provides an opportunity to facilitate their collaboration.
For further information contact:
GLOBE
744 Jackson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20503
Web Site: www.globe.gov
