Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)

The GLOBE Program is an international, hands-on environmental science and education program that connects K-12 students, teachers, and scientists around the world for research collaboration and cross-cultural enrichment.

The goals of the GLOBE Program are:

1. Enhance the environmental awareness of individuals worldwide,
2. Increase scientific understanding of the earth, and
3. Improve student achievement in science and mathematics.

Teachers receive special training and educational materials for implementing the GLOBE program. Students under the guidance of GLOBE trained teachers measure locally and learn globally as they increase their understanding of the Earth and its interconnected systems.

GLOBE students:

1. Make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools,
2. Report their data through the Internet to a GLOBE data processing facility,
3. Receive and use global images created from worldwide GLOBE school data (see how their data "fit in" with the rest of the world data), and
4. Study environmental topics in their classrooms.

To ensure the usefulness of GLOBE student data for scientific research, scientists from many nations have participated in selecting GLOBE environmental measurements, developing measurement procedures, and ensuring overall quality control of data. Scientists around the world use GLOBE data in environmental research.

GLOBE students are able to communicate with other students throughout the world and have access to GLOBE scientists. Another great feature of GLOBE is that it is available not just to a select few students, but to whole classrooms and schools.

Broad international participation is integral to GLOBE, and international partners sign bilateral agreements with the U.S. for schools in their countries to participate in the program. In the U.S., GLOBE is administered by a Federal interagency team that includes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Departments of Education and State, working together with over 25 state and local partner organizations.

Administrative Contact and Training Information Coordinator:
Dr. Elena Sparrow, Alaska Global Change Education Co-coordinator

University of Alaska Fairbanks
309 O'Neill Bldg.
PO Box 757200
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7200

Telephone: (907) 474-7699
FAX: (907) 474-6184
E-mail Dr. Sparrow