Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Europe and Eurasia: Celebrating Engagement and Scientific Learning in the 2025 European Spring Phenology Campaign
One
of the GLOBE Program’s longest-running and most popular campaigns, the
2025 edition of the European Spring Phenology Campaign welcomed an
enthusiastic network of over 4,500 students and educators from 24
countries. From choosing a tree in the schoolyard to documenting its
budburst and leaf growth, students immersed themselves in the
unfolding story of spring. Each activity—photographing buds, measuring
leaf length (as Croatian students are doing in the photo at right),
calculating tree height, and estimating stored carbon—deepened
students’ understanding of the role of trees in their environment and
their response to seasonal changes.
The campaign is coordinated by the GLOBE Europe and Eurasia Regional Coordination Office, which supports teachers and students throughout the region with resources, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration.
A Region-Wide Observation Journey
Nearly 2,200 observations were submitted to the GLOBE database as part of this year’s campaign. The Ivano-Frankivsk City Environmental Station in Ukraine stood out with an impressive 184 data entries for multiple trees. Beyond data collection, many schools actively analyzed their results, comparing them with observations from other schools—turning local measurements into shared scientific insight.
The campaign discussion forum became a vibrant space, with participants regularly contributing beautiful photos, questions, and reflections, which extended the simple act of observation into a shared regional experience.
The campaign’s “Get Inspired” Padlet also continued to grow this year, serving as a rich archive of creative contributions — from slideshows and videos to posters.
Advancing Understanding Through Expert and Student Sharing Sessions
In April, the Why Phenology
Matters webinar brought fresh perspective to the campaign,
exploring the value of phenology from three different angles. GLOBE
scientist Christi Buffington (University of Alaska Fairbanks) spoke
about the scientific importance of 
data
collection, and experienced GLOBE educator Joyanne Hamilton (Innoko
River School, Alaska) reflected on phenology’s deep ties to community
and culture. Cheryl Williams from Palmer High School, Alaska,
highlighted how tree observations can be woven into curricula and open
doors to broader learning opportunities.
The June online wrap-up session, “Our Spring with Trees,” brought students into the spotlight. Participants from eight countries shared inspiring videos and presentations of their spring tree observations. They received encouraging feedback from NASA’s Brian Campbell and Czech geo-ecologist Josef Brůna, a former GLOBE student himself.
Collaboration in Action: Croatia and Italy
Among the season's most inspiring stories was the collaboration between two schools—Dubovac Primary in Croatia and Istituto Comprensivo Statale E. De Amicis in Italy. Their connection, first formed during the Autumn campaign, grew into a deeper exchange. Students shared not only their tree data but also their cultures during several online and in-person exchanges. It was a beautiful example of how science education can also be a bridge between communities and create new friendships.
Italian students visit Karlovac (left); Croatian students at the Prelog town hall (right).
When Students Take the Lead
In Prelog, Croatia, the campaign became an incentive for action: Students from the local high school analyzed local carbon storage using their campaign data and presented their findings at the city council. Their advocacy for planting more trees in urban and industrial areas was met with understanding and support, showing that if students get the chance, they can contribute to positive change in their surroundings. Read more about their inspiring story.
What’s Next?
Big thanks to all students and educators enrolled in the Spring Campaign for their hard work. Your observations, ideas, and actions are what make this campaign truly meaningful! We’ll meet again in the 2025 Autumn Campaign, turning our focus to changing leaves and trees preparing for winter.
Learn more about GLOBE Europe and Eurasia.
Story courtesy of Csilla Barkász, GLOBE Croatia regional coordinator.
Photos courtesy of Anja Oreskovic Dusic, OŠ dr. Mate Demarina, Croatia; Bešida Tiganj, OŠ "Mustafa Pećanin," Rožaje, Montenegro; Maja Labaš Horvat, Srednja škola Prelog, Croatia; and GLOBE Croatia.