News - Purdue University-Partner
July Update from the GLOBE Working Groups
Below is a summary of the goals and progress made for each of GLOBE’s four Working Groups (WGs) since our April update. Please see the Working Group webpage on the GLOBE website for background and contact information.
Education Working Group
Over the past quarter, the Education WG has made progress on three fronts. First, WG members reviewed and interpreted data from the trainer/mentor trainer (T/MT) survey and conducted root cause analysis. The results validated the WG's earlier findings and led to discussions of recommended solutions. WG members will review the T/MT process and incorporate some of the suggestions made through the survey. The WG also finalized its Teacher Training Standards Project for all four spheres plus Earth as a System. The document can be used as reference for revising GLOBE’s eTraining. A Training Template has been uploaded as an asynchronous module in a learning management system for piloting. Finally, the Education WG also drafted a sample rubric for the International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS), which may be used as reference for developing a more merit-based selection process for IVSS winners.
Evaluation Working Group
Two priorities of the Evaluation WG are to (1) inform metrics that can be used as indicators of successful implementation and outcomes and (2) encourage and support a culture of continuous improvement across the GLOBE community. To begin to reach these goals, members of the Evaluation WG have reviewed metrics on the GLOBE website and are working on developing recommendations. The WG has also compiled reports from each region to understand the nature of evaluation following events such as trainings and Regional Meetings. Moving forward, the WG will coordinate with GLOBE Data and Information System (DIS) to understand and inform metrics and will develop a set of recommendations for Regional Coordination Offices and others to collect feedback and other formative information about efforts to build capacity for using GLOBE protocols and strengthening engagement with other Earth systems science efforts.
Science Working Group
This past April, the Science WG and the GLOBE Implementation Office released a survey to the GLOBE community about whether scientific instruments used for GLOBE protocols are available, attainable, calibrated, and updated. This survey also collected information about the sources of instruments used in each region. The survey resulted in 95 responses from WG members, country coordinators, regional country coordinators, educators, and partners across all GLOBE regions. The Science WG has started its initial analysis of the responses, and we are excited to share our report with the GLOBE community soon. Concurrently, the Science WG team has initiated additional review and updates of the Biosphere protocols focusing on the Carbon Cycle, as part of our dedication to maintaining scientific integrity and further strengthening of the scientific foundation of GLOBE protocols and educational materials.
Technology Working Group
This quarter, the Technology WG has focused on two priorities. First, members have worked on expanding the current badge system beyond milestone badges (e.g., badges for reaching a particular number of observations). Suggestions were made for new badges, such as for participation in events, data collection projects, or specific types or quality of data. Second, WG members are compiling a list of existing protocol videos: videos that include information on how to conduct GLOBE protocols, the importance of data collection, and how to conduct research using collected data. The Technology WG is also planning to create a set of recommendations on how to create GLOBE-related videos to ensure quality.
News origin: GLOBE Implementation Office