Stars and STEM Stories
20 Years of GLOBE Celebrated by GLOBE Jordan
The day began with a welcome speech given by Mr. Raouf Dabbas. (Dabbas is the National Coordinator of the GLOBE environmental program in Jordan.) This was followed by two PowerPoint presentations. The first described the GLOBE Program, its development in Jordan and events organized by FOE since Jordan joined the GLOBE program in 1996. (FOE trains teachers and students in the region.)
A second PowerPoint presentation discussed the GLOBE Program’s protocols, and the instruments and tools used in taking the measurements.
After a midday lunch break the activities continued with conducting applied hydrology protocols. GLOBE trainers in attendance were: Kamleh Obaidat and Ziad Alyazijeen. Participants tested water samples from the Dead Sea, which were compared to rainwater samples taken from Northern Jordan (these samples were gathered only 48 hours before the start of the event). In addition, participants determined the type and quantity of the clouds, and measured air and water temperature, relative humidity, transparency, pH, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and salinity.
“The comparison of the Dead Sea water and the Northern Jordan rainwater showed that the Dead Sea water is not a suitable environment for marine life due to the low level of dissolved oxygen and the high salinity, as well as the absence of nitrates,” said Kamleh Obaidat. Obaidat is the Assistant National Coordinator of the GLOBE Program in Jordan.
She continued: “As for transparency, the Dead Sea’s water’s transparency was very high. The pH was found to be 4.9 and alkalinity was 180 mg/liter (due to the high salinity levels). We were unable to check conductivity of the electrical current TDS, nor were we able to locate any clouds. However, air temperature was 31 degrees Celsius. The rainwater’s temperature was 21 degrees Celsius. Other results were as follows: pH was 7.6, alkalinity was 80 mg/liter TDS, which equals 250. The temperature of the rainwater was 18 Q, and the dissolved oxygen for rainwater equaled five points, which is: 5 mg/liter.”
After discussing the results with teachers and students, students were trained on how to enter their data into the GLOBE website using training measurements and through the Mua'addi Secondary School for Boys’ site.
By hosting this event, GLOBE Jordan hoped to increase the number of GLOBE schools in the region, as well as reactivate the program in Jordan. "Several of the non-GLOBE schools in attendance did show interest in joining the program," added Obaidat. All in all, it was a successful time and celebration.