GLOBE News
GLOBE Working Groups Request Your Input and Give Status Updates
GLOBE Community Input Wanted!
To all GLOBE educators, trainers, mentor trainers, and country coordinators: The GLOBE Working Groups need your input! The 2025 GLOBE Instrumentation and Training Process Survey asks for your perspectives and experiences with:
- Instruments you use to conduct GLOBE Atmosphere and Hydrosphere protocols
- GLOBE trainer and mentor trainer applications and support
It will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Your input is VERY important and will shape the recommendations from the Education Working Group and Instrumentation Subcommittee. Please submit the survey by 25 April 2025.
>> Complete the survey <<
Working Group Updates
Over the past few months, GLOBE Working Group members have been busy. Below is a summary of the goals and progress made for each of GLOBE’s four Working Groups. Please see the Working Group webpage on the GLOBE website for background and contact information.
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group has set goals of supporting efforts to increase the number of trainers and mentor trainers. This has included making recommendations to the GLOBE Implementation Office for increasing the number of trained country coordinators. In addition, the group has reviewed trainer standards and is working on making recommendations for minimum content and competency standards for educators and trainings in all four GLOBE spheres. Finally, the Working Group is reviewing learning resources that provide supplemental activities that can be used with GLOBE protocols.
Evaluation Working Group
The Evaluation Working Group has recently re-started with newly appointed members from all regions. The group is currently working on refining its mission, vision, and priorities. Members have discussed priorities that include (1) documenting and understanding the variety of evaluation activities and (2) determining goals and plans for RCOs to advise on evaluation efforts.
Science Working Group
The Science Working Group is focused on identifying the available, attainable, calibrated, and updated scientific instruments used in GLOBE protocols in every region. The Instrumentation section of the Working Group Survey will gather more information and help address the needs of the GLOBE community. In addition, the Science Working Group, in conjunction with the GLOBE Implementation Office, is gathering feedback and input from the community through workshops on the Teacher’s Guide on Biosphere protocols and is collaborating with other Working Groups on Teacher Training Modules. These efforts are aligned with our dedication to maintaining the scientific integrity of the GLOBE protocols and educational materials. The Science Working Group is also assisting with webinar series such as Artificial Intelligence and the International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS) and is welcoming new ideas on protocols and possible regional collaborations. Finally, the group recently completed its team as they welcomed the new Working Group representatives from the North America and the Latin America and Caribbean regions.
Technology Working Group
The Technology Working Group is focused on three efforts:
- Understanding the Challenges Related to Uploading and Submitting Data—The group shared a survey during recent regional meetings to gather insights on the volume of unsubmitted data. It is currently working to understand the extent of this issue throughout all regions.
- Pedosphere Protocol and GLOBE Observer App Updates—Technology Working Group members are testing and providing feedback on recently updated Pedosphere protocols in the GLOBE Observer app. Some app issues, including data sending errors and iPhone crashes, have been reported, and troubleshooting is underway.
- Technology and Database Priorities for 2024/2025—The Technology Working Group is advising on improvements to Liferay upgrades, ADAT refinements, database automation, and updates for the GLOBE Observer app.