How Cool is Your School?
Surface Temperature and Climate Resilience

Project Dates: March-April  2025

Surface Temperature measurement dates: March 3rd-March 28th 

1. Measure surface temperature & submit data to GLOBE
2. Try your hand at using the GLOBE Observer App for Cloud Observations
3. Map land cover surrounding your school (optional)
4. Create a Climate Resilience action plan (optional)
5. Present findings and get expert recommendations (optional)

**Teacher Guidelines 2025: Download Here**

• ​​​​​​Throughout the Cool Schools Monitoring Period (3-28 March) we will measure the surface temperature of three different surfaces - 1) bare soil, 2) short grass and 3) asphalt - twice a week to get a total of eight measurements. You can choose the two days a week that you wish to take measurements - try to choose a sunny day and an overcast day if possible.

• On the days that you take a recording, you will:
• Take nine replicate measurements of surface temperature at your chosen study site in order to account for spatial variation and get more accurate results.  At the end of the day then calculate the average surface temperature at each of your three sites - this is the number you will submit.
• Record your surface temperature data on your Surface Temperature Datasheet and on your Excel sheet.
• Submit your data to the GLOBE Observer App or website.
• Do a Cloud Observation using the Globe Observer App

• Dr. Ned Dwyer: Why Heat Matters and How We Can Adapt.
  • Watch here: https://youtu.be/sVVkX9x-3a0 (9min)
• Linda Hughes:  Met Eireann, Heatwaves in Ireland and Irish Temperature Trends.
  • Watch here: https://youtu.be/wBOXTnveKIk (9min)
• Dr John Sweeney: Urban Heat Islands and Nature-Based Solutions.
  • Watch here: https://youtu.be/9W_Vap6LE1Y (12min)

Click here to watch the Teacher Training Webinar - it provides an overview of the campaign and what to do

• Watch 5min quick cloud understanding video here: GLOBE Cloud Science (youtube.com)
• Watch 5min clouds and surface temperature animation here: NASA's Earth Minute: Cloudy Forecast - YouTube
• Watch 45min GLOBE Ireland Cloud Teacher Training video here: GLOBE Ireland - Teacher Training on Clouds - YouTube
• More resources and help on how to observe clouds: Cloud Tips - Taking Clouds Observations - GLOBE Observer - GLOBE.gov

1) How do we choose our study sites?

Find a guide to selecting your study sites on page 9 of the Cool Schools Teacher's Guide 

2) How do we make our surface temperature graph?

Find the Excel Spreadsheet to make your surface temperature graph HERE - write your measurements into the appropriate sections and the graph will be generated automatically.

3) How do I submit data to the GLOBE website?

Overall, Junior Project Winners 2024:

• Donabate Educate Together National School - View here
• Kilglass National School View here

Overall Senior Project Winners 2024:

• Scoil Mhuire, Cork City. View here

• St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School, Kerry. View video here. & View presentation here.
• Killarney Community College. View here

• Mercy Mouthawk, Kerry. View here.
• Gort Community School: View video here