Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Oman: GLOBE Schools in Al Dhahirah Celebrate Earth Day Through Research, Action, and Innovation
The Directorate General of Education in Al Dhahirah Governorate celebrated Earth Day on Wednesday, 22 April 2026. Celebrations and activities took place at a few different locations.
At the Sawda Umm Al-Mu'minin School, seventh-grade students viewed a documentary film about the Earth. Similarly, Asma bint Umais School marked the day with a school broadcast that included a theatrical scene on protecting the environment from pollution.
The Asma bint Umais School launched a “Replace Plastic Cans with Metal Ones” initiative, led by Fatima Al-Alawi. This initiative set daily practices with the goal of taking steps toward carbon neutrality, embodying the role of Green School ambassadors in waste management.
A training program for female teachers was carried out at Asma bint Umais School by “The Four Elements” company under the banner “Water for Earth… Water for Life.” The program was led by environmental engineer Ghadeer Al-Musharrifiyah, who was joined by Shigemi Futaki, R&D manager. The presenters wove theoretical sessions together with hands-on application featuring the “Jokasu” system—a wastewater treatment system that does not require connection to a centralized sewage system.
Lastly, the University of Technology and Applied Sciences hosted an environmental exhibition in collaboration with the GLOBE Program at the Al Dhahirah Education Directorate and the Environment Department. The exhibition was organized to enhance environmental awareness and embed a culture of sustainability. Female students from GLOBE schools presented their environmental research using applied GLOBE protocols.
Students participating in the GLOBE Program in Oman’s Ad Dhahirah Governorate—a semi-desert region featuring diverse terrains from mountains to the edge of the Empty Quarter— benefit in several ways. The GLOBE program provides practical, hands-on STEM skills: students use real scientific tools to monitor soil moisture (Pedosphere) and water quality in falaj systems (Hydrosphere), directly supporting data-driven local agriculture. GLOBE also fosters authentic scientific research on key local issues like the impacts of climate change on bird migration (Biosphere), air temperature shifts (Atmosphere), and the sustainability of the area's unique tree species such as the rare "Al-Alan" tree. The program also builds critical skills such as data literacy, critical thinking, and problem solving by tackling environmental challenges specific to their governorate. GLOBE connects students to a global learning community, allowing them to share data with international peers and professional scientists, which enhances their communication and cross-cultural understanding. By contributing to Oman’s national research forums, these student-led investigations play a direct role in supporting local environmental conservation efforts and advancing the country's sustainable development.
Learn more about GLOBE Oman.
Story and images courtesy of Bader Salim Al Maamar, Oman Directorate General of Education and member of the GLOBE Science Working Group