Want to integrate science, math, & geography?  Check out this great program!

GLOBE is a worldwide, hands-on, school-based education and science program.  GLOBE links K-12 students, teachers, and the scientific research community together to learn more about our environment through student data collection.  Over one million students worldwide from more than 100 countries have taken part in this program!

Students learn by:

·        Taking scientifically valid measurements in the fields of atmosphere, hydrology, soils, and/or land cover/phenology – depending on their           local curricula

·         Reporting their data through the internet

·         Creating maps and graphs on the free interactive website to analyze data sets

·         Collaborating with scientists and other GLOBE students from around the world.

Teachers choose which fields they are interested in and which protocols they want to do.  Some require daily measurements all school year, and some require biweekly or weekly measurements and/or measurements for only part of the year.  Teachers must attend a training session, and are responsible for acquiring the scientific-quality instruments required.

Teachers receive assistance through:

·         Training at professional development workshops

·         Detailed on-line Teacher’s Guide, with downloadable lessons, overheads, and student worksheets

·         “How-to” videos, and other teaching materials

·         Continuing support from a Help Desk, scientists, and partners

·         Contact with other teachers, students, and scientists worldwide

 

How do I become a partner school?

 

All teachers who want to be officially involved and report their data through the internet must attend a training session.  See the GLOBE website for the next training session that fits your schedule!

Want to learn more and talk to a teacher who has been involved for many years?

 

Come to the VGA Summer Workshop on Thursday, July 21 for a morning session on how to use the GLOBE program in your classroom. 

 

Don’t want to become a partner? 

 

You can still use the protocols, the teaching activities, and the student worksheets in the on-line teacher’s guide for projects at your school.  Or, use the data sets on the website from schools around the world to create great maps and graphs.  Here are some lesson ideas:

 

Geography:

                world climate patterns

                patterns of world green-up and green-down

                seasonal change- watch spring spread to the poles

                latitude and longitude

                how to read isoline and contour maps

Math:

                coordinate graphing

                using the metric system

                manipulating positive and negative numbers

Science:

                pH of precipitation patterns

                relationships between soil moisture and seasons

                yearly cycles of wetlands

            comparing land cover, droughts, and forest fires

 

To see for yourself, visit www.globe.gov.