News - NASA Langley Research Center

GLOBE Trainers at Langley Research Center provided a workshop on Elementary GLOBE. The training session was developed specifically for NASA education specialists in the Office of Education and Science Directorate. The training discussed how the Elementary GLOBE storybooks model science practices and are aligned with NGSS and Virginia’s state standards. Participants learned about each of the six storybooks and worked through various complimentary hands-on activities that align with the content areas: Earth as a System, Soil, Water, Seasons, Clouds, and Aerosols. Participants practiced multiple science and literacy strategies including constructing a Word Wall for vocabulary development, using 5-Finger Retell for reading comprehension, and journaling. The 8 participants are eager to incorporate Elementary GLOBE into NASA Educator Professional Development and STEM Engagement. One participant attended on behalf of a local informal science center.  >>

Eight informal educators at NASA Langley Research Center were trained in the New Elementary Aerosols resources. Participants read through the online webstory and went outside to observe daytime sky color. The additional hands-on STEM Learning Activities were demonstrated and participants discussed best practices for teacher training.  >>

What color is the sky today? The GLOBE Kids - Anita, Simon, and Dennis want to know why the sky isn't always the same shade of blue and sometimes isn't even blue. Through the new Elementary GLOBE Aerosols Storybook and Learning Activities, the GLOBE Kids learn there's a lot more than air in the atmosphere, which can affect the colors we see in the sky. This newest storybook and activities was developed with NASA's CALIPSO and SAGE missions and focusses on aerosols. The two mission EPO leads, Jessica Taylor and Kristyn Damadeo, presented these new materials to the NASA Science Mission Directorate Earth Science EPO Forum on August 10.  >>

On July 29, Jessica Taylor presented to a group of 19 mathematics teachers on "Using Systems Thinking and Modeling Tools to understand Carbon Cycle." Teachers participated in the session as part of the MODSIM (modeling and simulation) week-long workshop for teachers, held at NASA's Langley Research Center. Teachers were trained in the GLOBE Carbon Cycle curriculum and learned about OCO-2, NASA's latest Earth-observing satellite mission to better understand global carbon cycle.  >>

About 30 educators, including some from as far away as Boston and Monterey, Calif., gathered at NASA's Langley Research Center Feb. 24-25 to sharpen techniques for teaching environmental science to youngsters. At the Elementary GLOBE Partner Workshop held at Langley, they compared notes, reviewed materials and refined skills. "We're working to build a community of practice," said Becca Hatheway, who develops educational materials for University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. "We want to share ideas and support the people doing this work." GLOBE stands for Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment. The program is a worldwide, hands-on, primary and secondary school-based science education effort. It draws strength from partner organizations including NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation. NASA Langley has been a GLOBE partner since 2003. Jessica Taylor of the NASA Langley Science Directorate helped host the workshop. She said it was intended to empower those who train the teachers who implement the GLOBE program. "We do teacher trainings fairly often, but this is more like a ‘train the trainer' program," Taylor said. GLOBE provides free educational resources, including a series of children's storybooks to help elementary school students understand Earth system science concepts. Dave Young, director of Langley's Science Directorate, stopped by the workshop to welcome the educators. "We really value what you do," he said. "Part of our mission is getting our message to the youth so we can have that next generation of scientists."  >>