News Brief
January 2015 GLOBE News Brief
Happy New Year from the GLOBE Implementation Office!
In her own words, "In our science classes we are taught how important satellites are because through the help of NASA experts can see what is happening in space. My painting is a little girl whose dream is to go to space one day to see if she would find the same things she observes in the space with her telescope."
GLOBE provides students with an integrated view of the subjects they study and supports curricular interconnections in all areas. The 2015 Calendar Art Competition encouraged students to use art to illustrate how GLOBE connects us to Earth Observing Satellites, locally and globally - as 2015 promises to be an exciting year for student participation in Satellite Missions.
The calendar is a tribute to all GLOBE students whose efforts to understand their environment are a source of inspiration as we begin the New Year.
News
SMAP Launch: 29 January!
NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission (SMAP) is scheduled to launch 29 January aboard a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base (California, USA) at 9:20 a.m. ET. NASA will provide a live countdown on NASA TV and on the Web. Read more here.
GPM-GLOBE Student Precipitation Field Campaign Begins 1 February 2015
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission will be partnering with The GLOBE Program to hold a student precipitation field campaign to collect data from 1 February through mid-April 2015.
The GPM Mission, which launched on 27 February 2014, examines one important aspect of the water cycle -- precipitation. The GLOBE field campaign is an opportunity for students to participate in ground validation for the GPM satellite. Students will also be able to compare their data with that of participating schools around the globe, networks of "official" rain gauges, and long-term climatological data.
During the Field Campaign, students and teachers will be able to participate in webinars and read blog posts by NASA scientists and engineers. For more information on the GPM-GLOBE Field Campaign schedule, click here.
Important Annual Partner Survey Information
All GLOBE Partners must complete the Annual Partner Survey by 30 January 2015. This survey is extremely important. The information helps GIO and sponsors consider the state of the Program and the community, how we are meeting our strategic goals, and how to move the Program forward. PARTNERS ONLY are to fill out the survey.
New Collaboration Partner Search Tool
In December, GLOBE launched a new collaboration tool that allows GLOBE members to locate others interested in collaborating on GLOBE projects. Teachers and GLOBE community members can use the Collaboration Partner Search Tool to locate someone based on country, language, protocol interest, grade level, and more. To learn more about this exciting new opportunity and connect with the GLOBE community, click here.
Upcoming GISN Webinars
Are you interested in joining the GLOBE International Scientist Network (GISN)? Are you already a member of the GISN and want to explore new ways to be involved? This year, GLOBE will host a GISN Webinar Series that explores what it means to be involved in the GISN, and will provide you with the opportunity to hear stories of science research and outreach from GISN members.
Webinar 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Using GLOBE to do Outreach and Education
5 February, 11 a.m. MST / 6 p.m. UTC
This webinar, facilitated by Kristin Wegner and Dr. Julie Malmberg, covers:
- What is GLOBE?
- How to partner with GLOBE
- How to participate as an individual in the GISN
Webinar 2: Panel Presentation: How to Use GLOBE Earth System Science Data in your Research and Teaching
26 February, 11 a.m. MST / 6 p.m. UTC
- In this interactive webinar, three GISN members will present their experiences as they discuss:
- How to use GLOBE data and visualization system in your research
- How to use GLOBE data and visualization system as a teaching tool for undergraduate science classes
For more information, and to register for a webinar, click here.
Dr. Dixon Butler Receives Distinguished Award at AMS
Dr. Dixon Butler, former GLOBE Director, will receive The Cleveland Abbe Award for Distinguished Service to Atmospheric Sciences at the 95th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA on 7 January 2015.
The award honored Dr. Butler's "visionary, dedicated leadership in Earth observation, science, education, and federal management of science that has had lasting impact on the development of Earth System Science." Read more here.
Upcoming 2015 GLOBE Teacher Training Workshops (USA)
U.S. teachers --
Want to participate in a GLOBE Teacher Training Workshop? There are several opportunities in the months ahead:
- Alabama, USA
- Huntsville: 13-15 January; 16-23 January
- Athens: 13-16 January; 20-23 January
- Huntsville: 16-23 January
- Michigan, USA - Royal Oak: 15 January; 12 February
- Pennsylvania, USA - Reading: 19 January
- Virginia, USA (NASA, Langley) - 24-25 February
For a full listing of workshops, click here.
Opportunities for Teachers
YLACES Grants
YLACES (Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists) is inviting those who are working with youth on environmental citizen science or student research projects to submit a proposal for funding and/or equipment materials. The 15th of January is the deadline for implementation grant proposals.
Opportunities for Students
The 2015 Dupont Challenge is Open for Submissions!
This year's Dupont Challenge (a science essay competition for K-12 students in the USA, Canada, and U.S. territories designed to spark interest in STEM) encourages students to consider how science and innovation can be used to meet the needs of the 21st century for food, energy, and to protect people and the environmental.
The deadline for the elementary (science story) division (grades K-5) is 1 March 2015. The deadline for the essay competition (grades 6-12) is 31 January 2015. Read more here.
Sponsor News
NASA Goddard OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Challenge
The Innovative Technology Partnerships Office (ITPO) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, has announced the fourth NASA Goddard OPTIMUS PRIME Spinoff Challenge.
Deadline for submission of projects is 12 January. Read more about the Challenge here.
Anniversaries
Congratulations to the six GLOBE countries celebrating anniversaries of successful GLOBE implementation during the month of January:
Moldova - 20 years
30 January 1995
El Salvador - 18 years
11 December 1995
Palau - 18 years
30 January 1997
Italy - 18 years
21 January 1997
Fiji - 18 years
28 January 1997
Philippines - 16 years
14 January 1999
Latvia - 16 years
27 January 1999
Connect With Us
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News Brief Archive
All past issues of the GLOBE News Brief are available online.
