Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Kenya: Empowering Students and Educators with Support from YLACES Funding
YLACES is a program that makes grants available to help groups or institutions implement youth environmental citizen science and research projects such as GLOBE. Recently when GLOBE students and educators in Mombasa, Kenya, sought to deepen their understanding of environmental and land-use change through real-world data collection and analysis, they applied for and won grant funding from YLACES to support trainings and the purchase of materials and equipment to provide students with practical experience in environmental monitoring.
Group photo after a field trip in data collection in Tumaini Timbwani Mombasa.
On the left: Group photo after a field trip in Shimo La Tewa School.
On the right: Participants from three different schools taking measurements along Timbwani Beach Mombasa.
Teachers taking measurements during teacher training.
The goal of the YLACES funding was to engage students in
scientific data collection on air temperature, surface temperature,
humidity, and cloud cover using GLOBE protocols and the GLOBE Observer
app while equipping educators with the necessary skills to guide these
investigations.
The YLACES-funded work kicked off with a GLOBE educator training workshop on 18 October 2024 at Shree Swaminarayan Academy. Trainers from the Kenya Space Agency provided insights and YLACES funding supplied essential equipment to educators from five schools. Equipment included:
- Digital hygro-thermometers for measuring humidity levels
- Extech mini-IR thermometers for surface temperature readings
- Keson open reel fiberglass tape measure for accurate data collection
With trained educators leading the way, students then embarked on data collection activities that involved measuring air and surface temperatures across different surfaces: bare land, grassy fields, and concrete floors. These observations led to discussions on the urban heat island effect, helping students understand how different surfaces absorb and retain heat.
Tracking humidity levels allowed students to examine how moisture in the atmosphere influences weather patterns and climate variations. Additionally, observing cloud cover helped them analyze its role in temperature regulation and precipitation. Comparing data from various locations provided critical insights into the impact of land-use changes such as deforestation and urbanization on local climates.
With the support provided by YLACES funding, students gained firsthand experience in scientific investigations, leading to a deeper understanding of climate processes and the interconnectedness of human activities and environmental change. The hands-on approach enhanced students' analytical skills, fostered critical discussions on sustainable solutions, and inspired future environmental stewards.
Educators, now well equipped with GLOBE methodologies, are prepared to continue guiding students in climate research, ensuring long-term sustainability and broader participation in global environmental monitoring initiatives.
Students from Shree Swaminarayan Academy taking surface temperature.
Students uploading data to the GLOBE Observer App.
Shimo La Tewa students taking surface temperature.
Students from participating schools taking measurements.
Learn more about GLOBE Kenya.
Thank you to the participating schools:
- Shree Swaminarayan Academy Junior School
- Shree Swaminarayan Academy Senior School
- Tumaini Timbwani Primary School
- Tumaini Timbwani Secondary
- Shimolatewa Comprehensive School
Story courtesy of Beatrice Shiro Oyange, GLOBE educator, Mombasa Kenya.
Photos courtesy of Richard Muema.