Stars and STEM Stories

From 11-18 November 2008, Seasons and Biomes team members from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, --Dr. Elena Sparrow, Professor and Education Outreach Director of the International Arctic Research Center, Ms. Martha Kopplin, Education Outreach Specialist at the International Arctic Research Center, and Dr. Leslie Gordon Science, Math Education Specialist, Seasons and Biomes co-PI-- traveled to Thailand to conduct GLOBE workshops for Thai students, teachers and scientists, using Season and Biomes activities in development.  >>

Dominic is a vibrant and inquisitive fourth grader in El Paso, Texas, with a growing interest in science. He has been taking part in school science fairs ever since he was in kindergarten, when he first investigated the principle of Candy Triboluminescence.  >>

For decades, garbage trucks deposited New York City's waste in two large landfills adjacent to Jamaica Bay on the south shore of Brooklyn and Queens just minutes from John F. Kennedy International Airport. The combined 400-acre Pennsylvania Avenue/Fountain Avenue landfill site was a local eyesore, to say nothing of its effects on the nose and throat, and requited Superfund cleanup that began in the late 1980s. Today, years of renovation work by the New York City (NYC) Department of Environmental Protection and New York State (NYS) Department of Environmental Conservation are nearing the goal of converting these former environmental disasters to a remarkable park that will be turned over to the National Park Service, Gateway National Recreation Area, for the enjoyment of all New Yorkers.  >>

Teachers in every corner of the globe recognize that effective Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is critical in order to succeed in today's world and be competitive in an integrated global economy. Today, an understanding of scientific and mathematical principles, a working knowledge of computer hardware and software, and the problem-solving skills developed through scientific inquiry are all vital components of an education that meets the need for a dynamic, well-educated workforce. In order to interest students in mathematics and science, it is important to have teachers who are not only enthusiastic about these subjects, but who have professional training and access to ongoing professional development opportunities.  >>

On Saturday, 27 September 2008, the Southeastern Michigan chapter of the GLOBE Parent Council hosted the first GLOBE GPS Challenge at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo in Detroit, Michigan. The purpose of the event was to educate parents, students and science teachers in the area about GLOBE and to introduce them to two GLOBE protocols, the GLOBE GPS Protocol and the GLOBE Temperature Protocol, that can be used to enhance student research projects. In addition to learning about the GLOBE GPS Protocol and the GLOBE Atmosphere Protocol, attendees were given an introductory session on handheld GPS technology.  >>

The German county of North Rhine–Westphalia (NRW) is the westernmost and -in terms of population and economy- the largest Federal State in Germany. The students and teachers in NRW actively participate in many of the educational initiatives of GLOBE Germany.  >>

On 20 September 2008, GLOBE Switzerland held a day-long event to introduce teachers to GLOBE projects and protocols related to phenology. Phenology, the science of the relations between climate and periodic biological phenomena such as migrations of birds and the fruiting of plants, is the subject of the popular GLOBE measurement protocol known as Budburst. GLOBE Switzerland's Phenology Day focused on plant phenology and the links between plant biology, the growing season and climate change. Participants included current GLOBE teachers as well as new teachers who plan to become GLOBE certified teachers during a workshop to be held later this year.  >>

Mark your calendars for World Space Week, 4-10 October 2008, which occurs every year on these same days in the month of October to commemorate two significant events in space history. On 4 October 1957, the first satellite, Sputnik 1, went into orbit, introducing a new era in space exploration. Ten years later, on 10 October 1967, the United Nations adopted the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Every year, World Space Week attempts to support space exploration worldwide through various programs and activities focusing on a central theme.  >>

GLOBE Cameroon hosted a one-day event open to community members to showcase this year's student research accomplishments and to encourage local officials, parents, teachers, and students to engage in future GLOBE activities. GLOBE Open Day, held 28 August 2008 at the GLOBE Program Regional Training Facility in Lycée Général Leclerc, Yaoundé, Cameroon, drew eighty participants, including members of the Ministries of Secondary and Basic Education, the GLOBE Parent Council Cameroon Representative, GLOBE teachers, students, parents and other invited guests.  >>

Seventy-five participants hailing from 19 countries, including 18 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, traveled to Boulder, Colorado, USA, on 3-9 August 2008 for the GLOBE/DLESE Partner Professional Development Workshop. The participants represented a diverse cross-section of GLOBE's worldwide community, including Country Coordinators and master trainers, who became active participants in a hands-on introduction to GLOBE's Earth System Science Projects (ESSPs), and the GLOBE model of student research designed to support student scientific research around environmental topics.  >>