December
December 2017 GLOBE News Brief
The GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) is excited to announce that the registration for the 2018 GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE) and the 22nd Annual Meeting in Killarney, Ireland, is now open! The meeting will be hosted by GIO, with the Irish Country Coordinator, along with the Europe and Eurasia Regional Office.
The GLE is a student event and we encourage students from around the world to participate. Due to limited space at the venue, and considerable interest in this event, we have had to put certain restrictions on registrations:
- A maximum of six participants per school (1-2 teachers and 4-5 students for a total of six) and only students (minimum age 10) who are presenting GLOBE research may register.
- While we welcome family members to accompany GLOBE participants to Ireland and to stay in the hotel, please understand that our space is extremely limited; therefore, they will not be permitted to register, join GLE participants at mealtimes, or participate in GLE activities.
- Spaces for Country Coordinators, U.S. Partners, and NASA SciAct awardees are also limited. Please do not assume that if you are a member of one of these groups there will be a place held for you.
Register early to guarantee your space! A waiting list will be maintained for late registrants and we will release places that may result from cancellations.
To learn more about the registration process, costs, and accommodations, please visit the GLE information page. We look forward to seeing you in Ireland!
News
The GLOBE Urban Heat Island Effect/Surface Temperature Field Campaign Has Begun!
The Urban Heat Island Effect - Surface Temperature Field Campaign began again on 01 December and will run through 31 December. This year, the campaign is studying the urban heat island effect in seasons - October, December, and March (2018).
The campaign is focused on investigating the impact urbanization has on the Earth's surface temperature and how the surface temperature changes the dynamics of the Earth's atmosphere. The surface temperature measurements contribute data: 1) not normally collected by weather agencies, 2) for climate studies, and 3) for ground-truthing satellite data. The main research question that needs to be answered is: "How does surface cover affect surface temperature?"
For more information on the campaign, including what data to collect and when; what to do and how to do it; and how to report to the GLOBE database via apps, click here.
October Urban Heat Island Effect Field Campaign Review
Forty-three schools entered surface temperature data in the month of October! (If your school participated in this campaign in October and you haven't entered your data yet, please do so soon!) For more information on the October season results, and to see a map of the observations that were taken around the world, click here.
GIO Issues Invitation to Submit a Global 2018-2019 GLOBE Field Campaign: Submissions Must be Received by 28 February 2018
From now through 28 February 2018, the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) will be accepting proposals for Global Field Campaigns (starting between August 2018 and December 2019). GIO hopes to announce the new Global Field Campaigns at the GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE) in Ireland in July 2018.
GLOBE's Global Field Campaigns provide students with hands-on opportunities to explore and learn about Earth through a network of students, teachers, and scientists - projects designed to promote collaboration and to increase Earth science awareness.
To submit a proposal, please click here and fill out the Global Field Campaign Proposal Form. (As necessary, please refer to the GLOBE Events-to-Campaigns planning document and checklist, available here.)
If you have any questions or need additional information, please send an email to communications@globe.gov.
GISN Members: New Participation Requirement Begins in 2018
Starting in 2018, all GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN) members will be required to do one GISN-related activity per year.
As a GISN member, you serve as an invaluable mentor and role model for students - and you can participate at a level that is appropriate to your skills, resources, availability, and interest. There are many ways to participate in the GISN, and you have the power to choose what level of involvement works best for you. For more information on the many different ways you can participate, please click here.
Keeping Up with the 2018 GLOBE IVSS?
Are you preparing for the 2018 GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS)? Here are some important dates to keep in mind:
- Reports accepted for submission: 01 January 2018 to 01 March 2018
- Reports and presentations due: 01 March 2018
- Judging webinar: (TBD)
- Judging period: 18-24 March 2018
- Feedback and virtual badges released: 06 April 2018
- Live drawing for stipends: 06 April 2018
Did you miss, or would you like to revisit, the IVSS informational webinar that was held in October? The recording is available, just click here. (The slides are also available, just click here.)
Have a question for a scientist or another STEM professional? Visit the Student Groups Looking for Mentors page and fill out the form. Need a mentoring scientist? Scientists have volunteered to help - click here.
Need a mentoring scientist? Scientists have volunteered to help - click here.
Want to share information about the 2018 IVSS? Click here and share downloadable images.
New information about the 2018 IVSS is being added to the GLOBE website on a regular basis, so be sure to keep checking back.
GIO Issues Invitation to Submit a Global 2018-2019 GLOBE Field Campaign: Submissions Must be Received by 28 February 2018
From now through 28 February 2018, the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) will be accepting proposals for Global Field Campaigns (starting between August 2018 and December 2019). GIO hopes to announce the new Global Field Campaigns at the GLOBE Learning Expedition (GLE) in Ireland in July 2018.
GLOBE's Global Field Campaigns provide students with hands-on opportunities to explore and learn about Earth through a network of students, teachers, and scientists - projects designed to promote collaboration and to increase Earth science awareness.
To submit a proposal, please click here and fill out the Global Field Campaign Proposal Form. (As necessary, please refer to the GLOBE Events-to-Campaigns planning document and checklist, available here.)
If you have any questions or need additional information, please send an email to communications@globe.gov.
Join in the Conversation! Phase III ENSO Campaign SODA Webinar (04 December) and Science and Research Webinar (07 December)
Join the Phase III GLOBE ENSO Student Research Campaign conversation - it's all about water! There will be two ENSO webinars in December.
ENSO Phase III SODA (Short Observation and Data Analysis) Webinar #2:
The next SODA webinar will take place on 04 December (2:00 p.m. EST/7:00 p.m. UTC): "SODA, Live from Croatia (Featuring Teachers Marina Balazinec and Marija Krajnik."
To join the webinar, click here.
ENSO Phase III Science and Research Webinar #4:
The next Science and Research Webinar #4 will be held on 07 December (8:00 p.m. EST/01:00 UTC): "Making Sense of the Impact of Water in our Environment by Measuring Earth's Water from Space." During the first half of the webinar, Dr. Matt Rodell will share scientific background information and discuss the importance of being able to collect measurements during each phase of the water cycle. During the second half-hour, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion to share ideas for teaching students about the impact of water on our environment using NASA Wavelength - and will learn how these concepts fit into the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). To join this webinar, click here.
To learn more about Phase III of the ENSO Student Research Campaign, click here To receive emails and to sign up for the webinars, click here. You will be well on your way to connecting with NASA, scientists, and teachers around the world.
GLOBE Students/Alum: Share Your STEM Stories with the GLOBE Community
GLOBE is gathering stories of students, teachers, and alumni who have been influenced by their GLOBE experiences to pursue STEM education. We want to hear from:
- current GLOBE students who intend to pursue further education in STEM;
- former GLOBE students who are currently engaged in higher education in STEM areas or who have gone into STEM careers; and
- teachers who have sought further training in STEM subjects, either through GLOBE training or through other professional development training, in order to enhance their capabilities as teachers or for new careers in STEM.
Download the template here. Need assistance? Send an email to help@globe.gov.
GLOBE Teachers: Share Your GLOBE-Related STEM Learning Activities with the GLOBE Community
GLOBE is gathering stories of students, teachers, and alumni who have been influenced by their GLOBE experiences to pursue STEM education. We want to hear from:
- current GLOBE students who intend to pursue further education in STEM;
- former GLOBE students who are currently engaged in higher education in STEM areas or who have gone into STEM careers; and
- teachers who have sought further training in STEM subjects, either through GLOBE training or through other professional development training, in order to enhance their capabilities as teachers or for new careers in STEM.
Download the template here. Need assistance? Send an email to help@globe.gov.
Opportunities for Teachers
U.S. opportunities are often highlighted in the News Brief simply because we are more aware of them through our local media; however, if there are opportunities for GLOBE students and/or teachers in your region you would like us to highlight in the coming months, please send the info to us at communications@globe.gov. Thank you!
NASA STEM Educator Webinars
The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) is presenting a series of webinars open to all educators. All pre-service, K-12, and informal educators, as well as university faculty, are invited to join NASA education specialists to learn about NASA missions, activities, lesson plans, educator guides, and online resources that integrate NASA and STEM into the classroom.
An upcoming webinar, "Earth Sense - Remote Sensing at NASA: GLOBE Hydrology," is geared toward educators in grades K-12. On Tuesday, 05 December (6:30 p.m. ET), the NASA EPDC at Texas State University is providing a one-hour webinar. Participants in this webinar will learn about water and the hydrologic cycles using GLOBE protocols. This educational activity aligns with NASA Education API 2.4.2 (Continue to support STEM educators through the delivery of NASA education content and engagement in educator professional development opportunities.)
For more information, and to register, click here.
NSTA Awards and Recognitions
The annual NSTA Awards and Recognition Program, which recognizes exceptional and innovative science educators, began in 1973. The NSTA Awards and Recognition Program was created to raise awareness and to expose the outstanding work being done in the science education field. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on 15 December 2017 (via online submission). There are no entry fees. For more information on the variety of awards, and how to submit entries, click here.
Applications for the American Meteorological Society's Early Career Leadership Academy Due 12 January
Applications for the American Meteorological Society's (AMS) Early Career Leadership Academy (ECLA) are due 12 January. The ECLU aims to build and sustain a diverse network of early career leaders in weather, water, and climate science. ECLA will bring together a select group of early career individuals (in particular, women and underrepresented minorities) for an immersion experience in leadership, such as creative problem-solving; conflict resolution; and building trust and enhancing communication skills. ( For more information, and to complete the application form, click here.
GLOBE U.S. Partners: NOAA Announces 2018 Environmental Literacy Grants Funding Opportunity
The NOAA Office of Education has issued a competitive funding opportunity for projects designed to support the education of the public and/or K-12 students so they are knowledgeable of the ways in which their community can become more resilient to extreme weather events and/or other environmental hazards, and become involved in achieving that resilience.
Eligible applicants are limited to U.S. institutions of higher education; K-12 public and independent schools and school systems; other nonprofits, including informal education institutions, such as museums, zoos, and aquariums; state and local government agencies; and Native American tribal governments in the United States.
The deadline for pre-applications (which are required) to this funding opportunity is 11:59 p.m. EST on 19 December 2017. The deadline for full applications is 11:59 pm EDT on 06 April 2018. (To read the full funding announcement, please visit Grants.gov. To learn more about this funding opportunity, please visit the NOAA Office of Education's Environmental Literacy Grants web page.)
Opportunities for Students
NOAA Announces Scholarship Opportunities for U.S. Undergraduates: 31 January Deadline!
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced the availability of scholarships for undergraduate students majoring in disciplines related to oceanic and atmospheric science, research, or technology, and supportive of the purposes of NOAA's programs and mission.
Over 100 students are selected each year for participation in Ernest F. Hollings (Hollings) and Educational Partnership Program (EPP) scholarship programs. These scholarships include support for two years of undergraduate study and summer internship opportunities at NOAA facilities across the country. For information on program benefits and how to apply, visit the following websites:
- Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship; Application Deadline: January 31, 2018
- Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship; Application Deadline: January 31, 2018
For additional information, contact the Office of Education Scholarship Programs at StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov.
Upcoming 2017 GLOBE Teacher Training Workshops
Anniversaries
Congratulations to the 10 GLOBE countries celebrating anniversaries of successful GLOBE implementation during the month of December:
Burkina Faso - 19 years
18 December 1998
El Salvador - 22 years
11 December 1995
Germany - 22 years
08 December 1995
Greece - 22 years
12 December 1995
Guatemala - 20 years
05 December 1997
Maldives - 14 years
08 December 2003
Oman - 8 years
08 December 2009
Russia - 23 years
16 December 1994
Sri Lanka - 18 years
20 December 1999
Suriname - 20 years
23 December 1997
GLOBE Data Information System Team Receives NASA Group Achievement Award
Congratulations to the GLOBEData Information System (DIS) team! Their dedication to enhancing and improving The GLOBE Program has been acknowledged by NASA with a Group Achievement Award "for exceptional achievement in effective utilization of the Internet and commercial technologies and for expanding use of mobile citizen-science applications."
NASA's most prestigious honor awards, including the Group Achievement Award, are approved by the NASA Administrator and presented to a number of carefully selected individuals and groups of individuals, both government and non-government, who have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to NASA's mission.
The GLOBE DIS Team includes current and former, members from GIO, Science Systems and Applications, Inc. (SSAI), NASA Goddard, and Dixon Butler Consulting. The team focuses their attention on the website; mobile apps; and science and member database operations, innovations, and improvements. The DIS team is also responsive to technical requests and issues/concerns from the community.
U.S. Community: Here's the 2018 Student Research Symposia Schedule!
Keeping up with the latest on the 2018 United States Student Research Symposia (SRS)? At the SRS, students from across the United States have the opportunity to come together at one of six face-to-face regional symposia to share the results of field investigations using GLOBE program protocols. As in previous years, the SRS are open to all U.S. GLOBE students and teachers. Here is the 2018 Schedule:
- Southeast Regional Science Symposium: 19-20 April (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico)
- Southwest Regional Science Symposium: 04-05 May (Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah)
- Midwest Regional Science Symposium: 18-19 May (Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, and Minnesota)
- Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional Science Symposium: 04-06 May (Delaware, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia)
- Pacific Regional Science Symposium: 18-19 May (Nevada, California, and Hawaii)
- Northwest Regional Science Symposium: 01-02 June (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming)
Need travel support to attend your region's SRS? Teachers may apply for travel funding by completing this Funding Application by 01 February 2018.
Have you registered for the upcoming webinar, "Analyzing GLOBE Data" on 13 December (7:00 p.m. ET)? How can your students make sense of all those data sheets once you get them back to the classroom? During the webinar, Dr. Richard Wagner, the Southwest SRS Lead, will discuss GLOBE data; participants will see student examples and will be able to ask questions. Register in advance here.
Information regarding SRS webinars, blog posts, teacher resources, student resources, FAQs, and updates is being added on a regular basis. Bookmark the SRS webpage today.
GISN Members and STEM Professionals: Judges and Mentors Needed for the 2018 IVSS
Calling all GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN) members/STEM professionals - your skills, abilities, and expertise are needed for the 2018 GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS):
- Scoring Projects: In March 2018, the GIO will need your assistance with scoring the student projects. There will be an informational webinar in March, and judging will take place from 18-24 March. Judging will consist of filling out a Google form with your scores and feedback. (NOTE: You do not need a GLOBE account to score projects.)
- Mentoring Students: We need volunteer STEM professionals to assist student researchers. Students may have questions about a science topic or the research process in general. Please view the "Students Needing Mentors" page for mentoring opportunities.
If you are interested in judging or volunteering, please fill out this form. You will be contacted in February; however, if you have any questions please send an email to: help@globe.gov.
Join the GLOBE Mission EARTH Teacher Webinar (05 December) and Student Follow-up Webinar (08 December): "Mapping GLOBE Atmosphere and Surface Temperature Data Using ArcGIS Online"
Join the GLOBE Mission EARTH teacher webinar (Tuesday, 05 December, 8 p.m. EST) and student follow-up webinar (Friday, 08 December, 1 p.m. EST): "Mapping GLOBE Atmosphere and Surface Temperature Data Using ArcGIS Online."
During the teacher webinar, GLOBE Partner David Padgett will discuss a simple method to visualize and examine GLOBE atmosphere and surface temperature data using geospatial technology. During the student follow-up webinar, students will get to meet with scientists to learn more about the topic.
For more information on the webinar, click here. To join both webinars, click here.
GLOBE Mission EARTH is a collaborative of multiple institutions across the United States formed to increase involvement in The GLOBE Program. The mission is to improve education and involvement in STEM by increasing participation of students and citizens in The GLOBE Program. For more information on the GLOBE Mission EARTH campaign, click here.
Do You Know About these NASA-funded GLOBE U.S. Partners Earth Science Projects?
NASA has funded GLOBE U.S. partners to lead NASA Education Earth Science Projects through STEM agreements. Check out these innovative, educational, and inspiring projects:
- Mission EARTH: Fusing GLOBE with NASA Assets to Build Systematic Innovation in STEM Education GLOBE Mission EARTH is a collaborative of multiple institutions across the United States formed to increase involvement in The GLOBE Program with the goal of connecting students to scientists in the common pursuit of real-world science.
- AEROKATS and ROVER Education Network (AREN) - The goal of AREN is to train the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other professionals to observe and understand our planet Earth through experiential learning using NASA technology and data in real-world settings.
- Impacts and Feedbacks of a Warming Arctic: Engaging Learners in STEM using NASA and GLOBE Assets (Arctic and Earth SIGNs) - This program connects youth and adults to climate issues and Earth science learning through inquiry-based GLOBE investigations and community stewardship projects.
- NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC) - This represents a partnership between four GLOBE partners: the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and NASA Earth science divisions at three NASA Centers: Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Langley Research Center. NESEC is enhancing STEM teaching and learning by creating engaging, meaningful, and authentic STEM experiences and resources. NESEC's interrelated activities and partnerships include citizen science with 1) GLOBE Observer, 2) GLOBE student investigations with NASA, and 3) strategic partnerships and collaborations.
To access the NASA Press Release about the twenty-seven Science Education Partners for STEM Agreements, click here.
GLOBE Tech Update
The GLOBE Program's website received a makeover in November 2017. Members of the technology team presented the newly designed site to participants this past month during the GLOBE Europe and Eurasia Regional Meeting in Israel and at the US Partner Boot Camp in New Orleans.
In addition to the redesign, the Frost-Tube Protocol is now available within GLOBE's Teacher's Guide. To access the protocol, click here.
And, looking ahead to 2018, the website pages covering the five spheres (in the Teacher's Guide), Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Pedosphere, and Earth as a System, will receive a redesign.
PocketLab Air - Measure What's in Your Air
PocketLab Air is a new product for conducting climate change and air quality experiments. With PocketLab Air you can measure carbon dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and weather conditions in real-time - and map the data to your GPS location. To learn more, click here.
YLACES - Awards, Scholarships, Grants, and So Much More!
Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) aims to assist and reward the implementation of U.S. inquiry-based, experiential science education where students do science and contribute to an understanding of our natural world.
YLACES grants range from support for taking simple measurements to teacher professional development and working for pervasive inclusion of student research projects in science teaching. In addition, support is provided for prizes recognizing student achievement and effective teaching; needed infrastructure for contributing, storing, and sharing data and methods; and for science fairs/symposia that assess student work. (Are you a member of 4-H or Girl Scouts? YLACES offers grants for equipment to individual chapters, councils, and State organizations.)
For more information on YLACES, and specific types of grants, click here.
Keeping Up With GLOBE Publications?
Interested in other GLOBE-related publications? GLOBE has a long history of sharing impact and science findings through peer-reviewed publications on the GLOBE website. The peer-review process ensures that published articles represent the best scholarship currently available. Each article that is submitted to a peer-reviewed journal is sent to other scholars in the same field in order to get their opinion on the quality of research, the relevance to the field, and its appropriateness for inclusion in the journal. And, for those of you who may have had an article published recently (or within the last year), please send us the information: communications@globe.gov.
News Brief Archive
All past issues of the GLOBE News Brief are available in the online Archive.
Connect With Us
The GLOBE Program depends on you to let us know what is happening in your regions, countries, communities, and classrooms. Send us news you would like to share with the GLOBE Community and we'll include it in next month's News Brief. Be sure to include photos, too.
Send your message to communications@globe.gov
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