News Brief
May 2016 GLOBE News Brief
GLOBE Celebrates Earth Day 2016
The GLOBE Program would like to thank the GLOBE community for all of the inspired Earth Day celebrations around the world. The GLOBE Implementation Office held a live Google Hangout - covering the "state" of the program around the world. If you missed it, or want to view it again, just click here!
News
Data Entry Challenge 2016: Thanks for Making Your Data Count!
The GLOBE Implementation Office recognizes the students and teachers from the 382 schools that participated in the Data Entry Challenge during Earth Week (18-24 April 2016). Your extraordinary efforts added a whopping 308,000 measurements, from 79,000 forms, to the GLOBE database in just one week! Plentiful and accurate data are essential to maintaining the integrity of all research, and we appreciate your participation in this week-long effort. Read the full article to learn which schools submitted the most data in each region.
2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair Stipend Winners Selected on Earth Day
During a live Google Hangout on Earth Day (22 April 2016), four winning schools were selected from a pool of eligible projects participating in the 2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair. The winning schools will receive a stipend to help offset the costs of attending the GLOBE 2016 Annual Meeting and Student Research Experience to be held in Estes Park, Colorado, USA (16-21 July 2016).
During the 2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair, many schools stepped up and showed the world what they have learned! Now you can explore the 105 student reports and the judges who helped score the projects. You can also view the metrics of where all of the reports originated. The GLOBE Program would like to congratulate all of the schools participating in this year's virtual science fair - and ask that you stay tuned for more information about the 2017 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair!
Keeping Current on the El Niño Field Campaign?
The GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign is now in full swing! The campaign (which uses a suite of six GLOBE measurement protocols to identify environmental changes affected by El Niño) includes regular webinars that discuss the mechanics of the campaign, provides updates on data collection, and explores science with experts.
Did you know that as part of the GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign, there are also numerous resources available for your use? These include educational activities, videos and infographics, website information, and recent and relevant news articles. To join the El Niño Campaign, go to this link - and join the online community. Be sure to keep up with all of the recent blog posts (and catch the next blog post coming on 05 May: "El Niño Press Release Reposts and Discussions" with next webinar shareable). (También chequea: Como Participar en Español y Como Participar en Português.)
Opportunities for Students
NASA'S One-Stop Shopping for Students!
Eligible students can now access a portfolio of NASA internship, fellowship, and scholarship opportunities through a single portal and a single application. The 2016 Fall Session Internship Application is from 02 March through 31 May!
Opportunities for Teachers
K-12 GLOBE Online Training for Eco-Schools Pilot Project Runs Through 18 May!
An online course for those who want to become a GLOBE teacher and incorporate The GLOBE Program as part of their students' progress toward sustainability runs through 18 May. The course is self-paced and is being presented by Eco-Schools, GLOBE, and SciStarter through the National Wildlife University online learning platform. Teachers have the opportunity to receive GLOBE equipment through a generous contribution by YLACES (http://www.ylaces.org). Register today!
NOAA Resources to Help Implement New Science Standards
Educators have asked NOAA for help in finding resources that support the implementation of the new education standards. In response, a team of NOAA educators has established a curated collection of NOAA and partner education resources that emphasizes: the use of real time data, three-dimensional learning, modeling, engineering, and teaching science at the elementary level. Resources include "data in the classroom," covering such topics as: El Niño, water quality, sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, and more!
Free NASA STEM Educator Webinars
The NASA STEM Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC) is presenting a series of webinars open to all educators. All pre-service, K-12, and informal educators, as well as university faculty, are invited to join NASA education specialists to learn about NASA missions, activities, lesson plans, educator guides, and online resources that integrate NASA and STEM into the classroom.
An upcoming webinar, "Parachuting onto Mars," is geared toward educators in grade levels 6 through 8. Through this webinar, (17 May, 6:30 p.m. ET), participants will calculate surface area and measure the mass of a spacecraft. Participants will learn the design process behind the parachute system used on the Orion spacecraft. Math concepts that will be covered during the session are expression and equations, geometry, quantitative relationships and problem solving.
Climate Change Webinar: 05 May
Join hosts David Bydlowski and Andy Henry for the Wayne RESA ICCARS (Investigating Climate Change and Remote Sensing) Professional Learning Network for the 2015-2016 School Year. The one hour meetings are held at 4:00 p.m. (ET) and 7:00 p.m. (ET). To join the conversation, visit: http://www.resa.net/science and click on the event calendar for full information.
On 05 May, the webinar "Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and How Individuals Can Help" will be presented by Dr. Tom Kovacs.
Connect With Us
The GLOBE Program depends on you to let us know what is happening in your regions, countries, communities and classrooms. Send us news you would like to share with the GLOBE Community and we'll include it in next month's News Brief. Be sure to include photos, too.
Send your message to communications@globe.gov
Be sure to follow us on social media! Just click on the icons below.
It's Now the GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN)!
In order to more accurately reflect the mission and purpose of its members, the GISN, which formerly stood for the "GLOBE International Scientists' Network" now stands for the "GLOBE International STEM Network."
The GISN is an international network of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) professionals who work with GLOBE students around the world. STEM professionals mentor students and teachers, present scientific ideas, and/or collaborate on scientific research. Each relationship between a STEM professional and a GLOBE school is unique, and is determined by the STEM professional and the school.
Interested in joining this network? Find out how to become a member of the GISN!
GLOBE Announces eTraining!
The GLOBE community has been requesting - and GLOBE is now delivering - eTraining for teachers! Teachers no longer have to wait for a face-to-face workshop to get their students to start collecting data using GLOBE protocols. (Of course, the eTraining program will complement, not replace, the existing workshops.) All 28 training slide sets and interactives can be found here.
GLOBE/SMAP Soil Moisture Field Campaign Transitions To El Niño Field Campaign - But Keep Collecting SMAP Data!
On 03 May, the GLOBE/SMAP Soil Moisture Field Campaign joined the El Niño Field Campaign. The El Niño Campaign includes SMAP, GPM, and a suite of protocols that provide opportunities for students to understand how El Niño affects local environments. Keep collecting that SMAP data as you now participate in the current GLOBE El Niño Field Campaign.
Did you know that during the SMAP Soil Moisture Field Campaign, GLOBE measurements using the SMAP Block Pattern Soil Moisture Protocol set precedence in measurements guiding a field campaign! Well, they did! The SMAP protocol measurements are being used by NASA SMAP scientists for satellite data validation.
Have You Registered for The Annual Partner Meeting in Estes Park, Colorado, USA?
This year, GLOBE's Annual Partner Meeting and Student Research Experience will be held in Estes Park, Colorado, USA from 16-21 July. The theme of this year's meeting is "Celebrating the GLOBE Community." During the 20th annual meeting, a focus will be on celebrating the accomplishments of the many valuable people and partners who have contributed to the program since the program's inception in 1995, commemorating the great strides of the program and sharing future directions. Join us as we share new developments and enhancements of the program, and celebrate the community and its members. Register now!
Participating in the GLOBE Games in the Czech Republic this June?
Are you planning on participating in GLOBE Games 2016 - an annual tradition of scientific and environmental learning and globe-rolling fun? If so, tell us your story of skill and spirit! The event, hosted by GLOBE Europe and Eurasia, is taking place in Karviná, Czech Republic, from 02-05 June. If so, share your thoughts or impressions with the GLOBE community! Send your story to communications@globe.gov.
GLOBE Africa Begins Planning for Lake Victoria Expedition
GLOBE Africa is developing a Lake Victoria Learning Expedition. If all goes as planned, the first expedition will take place in September 2016. The expedition will involve sites in three Lake Victoria basin GLOBE countries: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Ready to set sail? Then read more about it here!
Upcoming 2016 GLOBE Teacher Training Workshops
Upcoming GLOBE teacher training workshops include:
- Palmyra, New Jersey, USA (Institute for Earth Observations at Palmyra Cove): 06 May (potential restricted attendance)
- San Ramon, Canelones, Uruguay (Instituto de Formación Docente "Juan Pedro Tapié"): 09 May (potential restricted attendance)
- Maharagama, Sri Lanka (National Institute of Education): 13-14 May (potential restricted attendance)
- Reading, Pennsylvania, USA (The Nature Place at Angelica Park): 14 May (restricted to teachers within the region)
- Reading, Pennsylvania, USA (The Nature Place at Angelica Park): 21 May (restricted to teachers within the region)
- Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA (The Lodge at Santa Fe): 22-27 May (Intensive "bootcamp" training; potential restricted attendance)
- Fairbanks, Alaska, USA (University of Alaska Fairbanks): 01-06 June (potential restricted attendance)
- Perrysburg, Ohio, USA (577 Foundation): 15-17 June (open to all teachers)
- Reading, Pennsylvania, USA (The Nature Place at Angelica Park): 18 June (open to all teachers)
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA (University of Sioux Falls): 20-23 June (open to all teachers)
- Pierre, South Dakota, USA (GLOBE on the River): 27-30 June (restricted to teachers within the region)
- Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA (University of Arkansas STEM Center): 27-30 June (open to all teachers)
- Toledo, Ohio, USA (University of Toledo): 27 June-01 July (open to all teachers)
- Brocton, New York, USA (SUNY Fredonia - College Lodge): 06-07 July (open to all teachers)
- Denver, Colorado, USA (Metropolitan State University of Denver): 14-15 July (potential restricted attendance)
Anniversaries
Congratulations to the eight GLOBE countries celebrating anniversaries of successful GLOBE implementation during the month of May:
United Kingdom - 20 years
01 May 1996
Spain - 18 years
05 May 1998
Turkey - 21 years
05 May 1995
Mongolia - 19 years
06 May 1997
Guinea - 18 years
14 May 1998
Ukraine - 17 years
27 May 1999
Denmark - 19 years
29 May 1997
Iceland - 19 years
30 May 1997
News Brief Archive
All past issues of the GLOBE News Brief are available in the online archive.
