The GLOBE Program

GLOBE Iowa

Protocol Information Pages

Iowa GLOBE Stars

IAS also sponsors:

The Benefits of GLOBE

Benefits to Teachers

Help in tackling the toughest topics.

This program will eliminate those math and science blues by making science and math come alive. GLOBE will energize you and your students.

Students learn how to view the Earth as a system. They'll measure atmosphere/climate, hydrology, soils and landcover/biology and understand how each act as a piece in the Earth's puzzle. The math they'll apply demonstrates mathematical concepts in a way that makes math relevant. It's significant, it's meaningful, it's hands-on and it's fun!

Age-appropriate materials.

You'll receive age-appropriate educational resources and activities for your classroom, whether you teach at the primary or secondary level.

On-target curricula.

GLOBE's extensive educational materials are appropriate for a broad range of abilities and learning styles. Its integrated curricula, interdisciplinary teaching, multi-cultural perspective and systems orientation fit most classrooms, from special education to gifted education. State-of-the-art technology used appropriately, effectively and economically. GLOBE's equipment and interactive Internet interface were designed with a school's budget in mind. Many of the instruments can be handmade, and GLOBE Iowa offers free loans of GPS units to GLOBE schools.

Curriculum enhancement.

GLOBE is a comprehensive teaching system to enhance your science and math curriculum. It's not something more for your over-crowded plate, just a better arrangement of what's already on it. GLOBE is here to stay. GLOBE is not only age-appropriate and comprehensive, it's also good for the long haul. We know from our follow-up that 65% of the teachers trained in 1996 and 1997 implemented the program into the 1998 school year, and 84% of those who had not yet implemented the program intended to do so.

A cost you can't beat.

When you attend the entire GLOBE workshop, the $1700 per person cost is underwritten by the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, Muscatine; and R. J. McElroy Trust. This includes all sessions, materials, lodging, most meals, substitute teacher pay and limited travel reimbursement.

Professional development.

You can earn two hours of UNI credit or Certificate License Renewal Credits (through AEA7) for participating in this workshop. Contact the Education Director for current credit costs. Local funding may be available. Check with your school or AEA about Eisenhower or other funds.

Benefits to Students

An opportunity to make a difference.

The data your students provide has real scientific significance. They have a chance to partner with some of the world's top scientists as they work to better understand our world as a living system.

A chance to learn about the Earth as a whole through hands-on activities in their local environment.

Let's face it, the Earth is a complex and ever-evolving system. GLOBE helps students conceptualize and understand it by focusing on their local environment as a microcosm. It's at their fingertips, it's real, it's hands-on and it's stimulating.

This unique opportunity to make a difference has a dramatic impact on your students' achievements. It breaks down traditional barriers of access, confounds stereotypes and promotes critical thinking skills, particularly in at-risk students. In a recent study, GLOBE teachers reported the greatest gains were in the areas of observation, measurement and technology skills and the ability to work in small groups.

GLOBE creates partners among students, classes, schools, communities and nations. Being part of the GLOBE community has a profound effect on kids' their motivation and behavior, their social development and their scholastic and personal achievement.

An opportunity to use technology in a meaningful way.

Your students collect and report data, as well as interact with world scientists through the Internet. Using the web as an interactive teaching and learning tool will help your students hone the technological skills critical for their future success.

Benefits to Scientists

GLOBE Student data is important because of its' breadth.

The Earth can not be packed into a lab for observation, nor can one team of scientists travel to all parts of the world taking data. Schools are present everywhere! Therefore information collected by a network of schools can cover much more of the earth than a team of scientists can.

Data students gather is accurate!

The GLOBE Protocols are designed to be completed by students. They are designed to give specific, consistently accurate data. GLOBE shares its' data and protocols with anyone who is interested. Any scientist who wishes to use GLOBE data can do so and by looking at the protocols or conversing with the data's principal investigator can know the applications and limitations of GLOBE student data.

Students of Today are Citizens of Tomorrow.

By involving students in science now, GLOBE creates citizens and policymakers with an understanding of how science works, how data is collected and what research is used for. A citizenship knowledgeable about science is good for science.