Stars and STEM Stories
Lexington, Kentucky Students Study Washington, D.C.
At the foot of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington DC, and with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell attending, GLOBE students from the Glendover Global Studies School this summer advanced their study of soils and clouds. In a ideal lesson for students whose home are has many farms, GLOBE principal Investigator Dr. Elissa Levine demonstrated the proper taking of soil samples from the Capitol grounds and explained the value of knowing about local soil types and moisture level.
"Our school test scores have steadily improved since we have been involved with GLOBE" said Glendover teacher Grace Ms. Evensen. "And the visit made such an impact, that one child who had been less than attentive in the past became quite serious about doing the GLOBE science work."
"This is one of the best things we've ever done," said Ms. Evensen about the trip. "The kids were crazy about meeting the Senator - several telling me later 'I want to be in Congress' and in hearing from a real scientist like Dr. Levine. Such people are not part of the student's everyday lives." The students had their picture taken with Sen. McConnell on the Capitol steps and worked on GLOBE cloud protocols with GLOBE staff scientist Christos Michalopoulos.
Glendover GLOBE students have taken and reported measurements on air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, clouds and surface water. Other GLOBE teachers at Glendover are Jennifer Caudill (special ed), Jennifer Anderson (1st grade), Betty Snyder (4th grade) and Jan Lane, technology teacher.
14 July 2000