December

News 

GLOBE  Recognizes Top Schools for GLOBE/SMAP Data Collection

16 October through 1 November 2015

The GLOBE Program would like to salute the 18 schools from around the world that submitted data during the two-week period of 16 October through 1 November, with a total of 63 measurements.
 
The Top Three Schools for this two-week data collection period are: 

1. Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA, with 10 data counts
2. Ramey School, Puerto Rico, with 7 data counts (tie)
3. Alfred State College, New York, USA, with 7 data counts (tie)
4. Shumate Middle School, Michigan, USA, with 5 data counts 

Click here to view the spreadsheet for this two-week period, showing all of the top schools, as well as every school that was participating in the campaign for this period using the SMAP Block Pattern Soil Moisture Protocol.
 
1 November through 15 November 2015
 
The GLOBE Program would like to salute the 17 schools from around the world that submitted data during the two-week period of 1 November through 15 November, with a total of 66 measurements.
 
The Top Three Schools for this two-week data collection period are: 

1. Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA, with 20 data counts
2. Shumate Middle School, Michigan, USA, with 10 data counts
3. Pomperaug High School, Connecticut, USA, with 8 data counts.

Click here to view the spreadsheet for this two-week period, showing all of the top schools, as well as every school that was participating in the campaign for this period using the SMAP Block Pattern Soil Moisture Protocol. 

2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair 

Entries for the 2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair are due on 11 March 2016. In order to help you prepare, the GLOBE Implementation Office has two items to call to your attention:  

1. WEBINAR: A webinar, "Preparing for the 2016 GLOBE International Virtual Science Fair: An Overview of Resources and Rubrics," will be presented on 16 December at 20:00 UTC (1 p.m. MST/3 p.m. EST). The webinar will be hosted by Dr. Julie Malmberg (Education, Outreach, and Technology Specialist at the GLOBE Implementation Office) and Matt Silberglitt (Senior Research Associate in the STEM Program at WestEd). The webinar will provide an overview of available resources for teachers and students, and will cover the details of the scoring rubrics. There will be time for community questions and a recording will be provided after the webinar. Register here! 
2. MENTOR LIST: Teachers - are your students looking for a research mentor? GLOBE has compiled a list of GISN scientists who are interested in working with students.

One scientist, Peder Nelson, is interested in working with students about land cover. Check out his profile and introduction video here.

More videos from scientists will be coming soon!  

Opportunities for Students

How Do Scientists Use the SMAP Satellite Data? Read NASA's Latest Blog

In January 2015, NASA launched the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) observatory. SMAP is the first Earth satellite designed to collect global observations of the soil moisture content. SMAP is now on its three-year mission to "scratch" below Earth's surface to expand our understanding of a key component of the Earth system that links the water, energy and carbon cycles driving our living planet.
 
A recent guest blog, "How Do NASA Scientists Use the SMAP Satellite Data?" written by NASA SMAP scientists Dr. Erika Podest and Dr. Narendra Das of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, USA is now available on the GLOBE website - along with other recent blogs.
 
The NASA SMAP Soil Moisture Field Campaign began 1 October 2015 and will run through 30 April 2016. A SMAP Block Pattern Soil Moisture Protocol has been created so that GLOBE students can collect soil moisture measurements just like the SMAP satellite. With this campaign, GLOBE will offer webinars and blogs, as well ongoing interactions with NASA scientists. Please join us in this exciting campaign! 

Opportunities for Teachers

U.S. and Canada GLOBE Teacher P.D. Webinar "Writing Research Questions" - 9 December 2015

The GLOBE Program will be hosting a teacher professional development webinar entitled, "Writing Research Questions" on 09 December (4 p.m. EST/2 p.m. MST). During this webinar, Dr. Kevin Czajkowski will help participants develop grade-appropriate research questions and discuss ways to incorporate narrower, but more frequent, field investigations throughout the school year. Registration Link: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/bpgrgsqs7m5a&eom

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, "ISS - Off the Earth for the Earth: Brain in Space" is geared toward educators in grade levels 9 through 12. Through this webinar, which is presented by John Weis, (at 6:30 p.m. EST on 14 December 2015), participants will will get an overview of resources related to the study of the effects of microgravity on the human brain. 

GPM Precipitation Education Website

NASA is offering a unique GPM-related website, presented by the GPM mission, that provides students and educators with resources to learn about Earth's water cycle, weather and climate, and the technology and societal applications of studying them.

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

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