GLOBE Learning Activities

One week pacing guide for activities related to air quality (aerosols) developed in collaboration with the NASA Langley Research Center, GLOBE Mission Earth, and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative. Activities include sky observations with the GLOBE Observer Clouds Tool, an aerosol sampling activity and analysis, and observation and analysis of sky color and visibility.

One week pacing guide for activities related to clouds and the Earth's energy budget developed in collaboration with the NASA Langley Research Center, GLOBE Mission Earth, and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative. Activities include exploring map visualizations to analyze NASA satellite data of net energy flow toward Earth for clear days and cloudy days, exploring cloud opacity, and observing clouds with the GLOBE Observer Clouds Tool. 

One week pacing guide for activities related to cloud types developed in collaboration with the NASA Langley Research Center, GLOBE Mission Earth, and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative. Activities include a demonstration on how clouds form, cloud type identification and observation with the GLOBE Observer Clouds Took, and analysis of cloud and precipitation data using Earth system satellite images.

One week pacing guide for activities related to experiencing a solar eclipse developed in collaboration with the NASA Langley Research Center, GLOBE Mission Earth, and the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative. Activities include calculating the size to distance ratio of the Sun and the Moon from Earth to determine how a solar eclipse can occur, modeling the geometry of a solar eclipse, an exploration of methods to safely observe the Sun, observing a solar eclipse using the GLOBE Observer Eclipse Tool, and analyzing how a solar eclipse affects air temperature.

Learners will practice scientific observation in the field, keep good records, bring back their observations to the classroom to create a Nature Note, and ask questions based on their observations.

This guide presents a flow of lessons and activities that combine GLOBE observations and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) Nature Notes program. Nature Notes are a form of communicating observations, making connections to background information, and making a claim or asking questions. It is not as in depth as a research project but helps lay the foundation for future research projects and activities.

Learners will practice scientific observation in the field, keep good records, bring back their observations to the classroom to create a Nature Note, and ask questions based on their observations. The GLOBE Nature Note Observation form can be used to engage K-2 learners in observing the natural world, a moment at a time or over a period-of-time, to gather information related to a specific season or phenomena that you wish to have them explore.