Stars and STEM Stories
Madagascar Team Paves the way for New Teachers to Implement GLOBE
The cooperative teamwork of Country Coordinator Mr. Paul Randrianarisoa and his training team in Madagascar has generated a national reformation of the GLOBE Program. The 55th country to join GLOBE on 11 June 1997, Madagascar has hosted six teacher training events, and boasts 54 GLOBE teachers from 34 schools whose students have reported over 92,300 measurements to the GLOBE database. In order to prepare new teachers to utilize GLOBE protocols in their future teaching methods, the University of Antananarivo is integrating GLOBE training modules into pre-service education coursework. This is a very important step towards increasing GLOBE student research in schools throughout Madagascar.
In addition to ensuring GLOBE is fully integrated into teacher education programs in Madagascar, discussions are underway between the Ministry and leaders of the Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) to implement the LMD student-centered system requiring reform in the way courses are designed, taught and assessed in all Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral programs.
GLOBE teachers in Madagascar work diligently to help their students internalize scientific concepts that are coming to life before their eyes. These dedicated GLOBE teachers "have brought a new sense of understanding into the classroom and are assisting their students to make real scientific discoveries," according to Mr. Randrianarisoa. Robine, a student at Lycée Jules Ferry High School said, "I did not think I would ever become an expert in science but our research contributes to the ongoing mosquito problem. Today, thanks to our research, thousands of people are better equipped to combat mosquitoes and if we can reach those people, why not the whole world?" she said with confidence. Robine also stated, "The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) allows us to publish a page containing GLOBE student research activity reports in a monthly environmental magazine called Vintsy. Posting our work in this magazine and on the GLOBE website helps us to share the results of our studies."
These students are hopeful that their research will add important scientific discoveries and promote collaborations with other GLOBE schools participating in the Student Climate Research Campaign. Mr. Randrianarisoa stated, "Even when the program struggles due to financial realities, we continue to function thanks to the enthusiasm of GLOBE teachers and students in Madagascar."
Read more about GLOBE activities in Madagascar:
- Madagascar Project Forges New Alliances by Tackling Malaria
- Zoo-goers and Animals Watch as Teachers Learn GLOBE Protocols in Madagascar
12 December 2011