Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE @ NSTA - Anaheim, CA 2006
GLOBE enjoyed a strong presence at the National Science Teacher's Association (NSTA) annual conference in early April in Anaheim CA. The major activities were:
Booths
GLOBE staff had GLOBE materials on hand at the UCAR Office of Education and Outreach booth as well as the NASA booth. Many conference attendees wanted to learn more about the program and expressed interest in using GLOBE with their students to promote inquiry-based research.
GLOBE Reception
The GLOBE Program hosted an evening reception for Partners, teachers and trainers attending the Conference. The reception provided an opportunity to refresh former relationships, share ideas, and form closer ties. Over 100 of our GLOBE family were nourished with delicious cuisine and a sense of belonging to an organization dedicated to quality science education for all students. We look forward to seeing you all again at the annual GLOBE Reception next year at NSTA in St. Louis, Missouri (29 March - 1 April, 2007).
International Meeting
The first "NSTA International Science Education Day" occurred in conjunction with NSTA this year. The aim of this activity was to recognize NSTA's increased emphasis on international collaboration in science education and was co-sponsored with the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE). The half-day event presenting the theme of "Professional Development: An International Perspective" included keynote speakers from Taiwan, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand and discussed the importance of understanding the state of science education professional development challenges facing countries worldwide. The final report, Developing a World View for Science Education: In North America and Across the Globe produced by the NSTA International Task Force, was explained and applauded. The International Meeting ended with an interactive Poster Session that provided an opportunity to have focused, unrestricted interactions with science teaching colleagues from around the world. Posters represented all grade levels and aspects of science education. Dr. Teresa Kennedy, Dr. Sheila Yule, and Karen Milberger from The GLOBE Program Office presented a poster at this event.
We look forward to seeing you next year at NSTA, March 29 - April 1 in St. Louis, Missouri. The next North American Regional meeting will be held the day before the conference begins on March 28. We will provide more information closer to the event.
The information below describes the specific activities at this year's U.S. GLC meeting.
GLOBE Learning Communities Meeting
Supporting the Vision
As GLOBE Partners and Country Coordinators, worldwide, anticipate IESSPs and project-based learning, the development of local and regional GLOBE Learning Communities (GLCs) becomes a priority. Therefore the GLOBE Program Office facilitated a one-day U.S. GLOBE Learning Communities meeting held the day before the NSTA annual conference began. The meeting had two purposes: a) to share successful implementation models and ways of funding each model, and b) to build collaboration among the participants. U.S. Partners who accepted an invitation to present their models are listed below within the four strands that focused our discussions.
Leveraging State Capacities for Developing a Statewide Learning Community
GLOBE Alabama: Mr. Greg Cox
Texas Regional Consortium: Ms. Marsha Willis
Educational Partnerships
Higher Education Partnerships: Dr. Rebecca Dodge
Informal Education Partnerships: Mr. Todd Ensign
Science Connections
Bringing Scientists into your GLOBE Learning Community: Dr. Kevin Czajkowski
GLOBE Science Live in Project-based Learning: Dr. Martha Conklin
Innovative Partner Initiatives
Urbanizing GLOBE: Dr. Allan Ludman
The Inclusive Design Responding to Diversity Issues: Dr. Tony Murphy
Partners from 16 states participated in the meeting which was a source of inspiration and energy for many. Reserve the day before NSTA next year on your calendar for the next U.S. GLC meeting!
GLOBE Workshops
Dr. Sandra Henderson, Dr. Lisa Gardiner, and Becca Hathaway from the GPO facilitated three well-attended workshops. In "It's All in the Process: Inquiry and Elementary Student Investigations," participants learned more about Elementary GLOBE and how to use storybooks and hands-on activities as a means to engage elementary students in the scientific process. In "Watershed Explorations: Inquiry Instruction of Earth as a System," participants focused on using inquiry to study watersheds with students, using the Modeling a Catchment Basin Learning Activity. Participants in the "Climate Change: Classroom Tools to Explore the Past, Present, and Future" workshop used hands-on activities to better understand the tools and methods scientists use in the study of climate and global environmental change. Participants at all three workshops were engaged in the activities and it was rewarding to witness their enthusiasm.
Satellite Share-a-Thon
The goal of the Satellite Share-a-thon was to disperse information about the NASA satellite missions and their continuing efforts to provide scientists with valuable data related to Earth. Six NASA Satellite Missions, NASA CONNECT and the GLOBE Program teamed up to provide teachers nationwide with numerous resources and opportunities to participate in their missions.
Many of these missions offer students an opportunity to collect ground-based data, which is used to validate the data collected by satellites. By providing precise protocols that ensure consistency for scientific research, and a central online database for recording data, the GLOBE program is a valuable partner in this effort.
While some missions provide students with hand-held instruments, such as the Sun Photometer provided by CALIPSO, other missions, such as CloudSat, utilize visual observations. NASA CONNECT Video Productions collaborates with the various satellite education and public outreach programs to provide award-winning broadcasts, lessons and Web activities relating to the science of the mission. Information about the satellite missions AIM, Aura, CALIPSO, CloudSat, TIMED/SABER, and TRMM/CERES brought an abundance of resources related to weather, climate, clouds, ozone, and data collection. Over 300 teachers stopped by the presentation tables.
GLOBE Partners Dianne Robinson, Barbara Maggi, and Paul Adams presented the AIM and CALIPSO Satellites, GLOBE Partner Debra Krumm and CloudSat Research Support Susan Lini presented the CloudSat Satellite and Nan McClurg, from the GLOBE Program Office, presented connections to the GLOBE Program.