EDUCATIONAL ELEMENTS OF THE GLOBE PROGRAM

GLOBE students carry out a series of investigations that scientists have designed to gather data about the Earth and how it functions as a global system. Students use instruments and their own senses to observe the environment at sites within or near their schools. They record the data they gather, save it in a permanent school data record, and send the collected data to the GLOBE Data Server (using a computer/laptop connected to Internet or using mobile devices loaded with GLOBE Data Entry/GLOBE Observer app). The GLOBE Teacher’s Guide also includes Learning Activities that can be adapted to the local curriculum needs.

Each Learning Activity provides the background information needed to successfully complete the activity. Each of the Protocols and Learning Activities includes a designation of recommended grade levels, in three categories:

• Primary - Ages 5-9 years.
• Middle - Ages 10-13 years.
• Secondary - Ages 14-18.

There are six key educational elements of the GLOBE program.

1. Selecting local study and sample sites – Students, with guidance from teachers, pick a local study sites (or numerous sites) where they collect recurring measurements.
2. Taking measurements carefully on a regular schedule - Students begin with taking one measurement and then, over the course of a few months, add new measurements one-by-one as they learn how to do them.
3. Submitting the data - All measurement data should be submitted to the GLOBE Data Server using a computer/laptop with Internet; or a mobile device loaded with GLOBE Data Entry/GLOBE Observer App. All the data collected is freely available on the GLOBE website and as such students and teachers can interact with data from any part of the world.
4. Complete the Learning Activities - Each investigation has a set of Learning Activities that help your students learn more about the science domains, the instruments and procedures for the measurements, and the ways that students and scientists can use the data collected.
5. Using GLOBE systems on the Internet to explore and communicate - GLOBE program has created a website which has created comprehensive (and easy to use) online resources for both training and learning. The GLOBE website offers opportunities to student and teachers to establish linkages, collaborate and communicate with other schools and with the GLOBE scientists.
6. Promoting student investigations - Ultimately, the aspiration of the GLOBE Program is to enable and facilitate students to undertake their own investigations at local sites. The GLOBE website avails to students and teachers learning resources as well as data collected by other students worldwide.