Stars and STEM Stories
Madagascar Team Paves the way for New Teachers to Implement GLOBE
The cooperative teamwork of Country Coordinator Mr. Paul
Randrianarisoa and his training team in Madagascar has generated a national
reformation of the GLOBE Program. The 55th country to join GLOBE on 11
June 1997, Madagascar has hosted six teacher training events, and
boasts 54 GLOBE teachers from 34 schools whose students have reported
over 92,300 measurements to the GLOBE database. In order to prepare
new teachers to utilize GLOBE protocols in their future teaching
methods, the University of Antananarivo is integrating GLOBE training
modules into pre-service education coursework. This is a very
important step towards increasing GLOBE student research in schools
throughout Madagascar.
In addition to ensuring GLOBE is fully integrated into teacher
education programs in Madagascar, discussions are underway between the
Ministry and leaders of the Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS) to
implement the LMD student-centered system requiring reform in the way
courses are designed, taught and assessed in all Bachelor's, Master's,
and Doctoral programs.
GLOBE teachers in Madagascar work diligently to help their
students internalize scientific concepts that are coming to life
before their eyes. These dedicated GLOBE teachers "have brought a
new sense of understanding into the classroom and are assisting their
students to make real scientific discoveries," according to Mr.
Randrianarisoa. Robine, a student at Lycée Jules Ferry High School
said, "I did not think I would ever become an expert in science
but our research contributes to the ongoing mosquito problem. Today,
thanks to our research, thousands of people are better equipped to
combat mosquitoes and if we can reach those people, why not the whole
world?" she said with confidence. Robine also stated, "The
World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) allows us to publish a page containing GLOBE student
research activity reports in a monthly environmental magazine called
Vintsy. Posting our work in this magazine and on the GLOBE website
helps us to share the results of our studies."
These students are hopeful that their research will add
important scientific discoveries and promote collaborations with other
GLOBE schools participating in the Student Climate Research Campaign. Mr.
Randrianarisoa stated, "Even when the program struggles due to
financial realities, we continue to function thanks to the enthusiasm
of GLOBE teachers and students in Madagascar."
Read more about GLOBE activities in Madagascar:
- Madagascar Project Forges New Alliances by Tackling Malaria
- Zoo-goers and Animals Watch as Teachers Learn GLOBE Protocols in Madagascar
12 December 2011