GLOBE Connections

GLOBE Biosphere Overview

GLOBE Logo

GLOBE stands for Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment. It is a program sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of State. GLOBE connects students, teachers, scientists, and citizens from different parts of the world (over 120 countries) to conduct real, hands-on science about their local environment and to put this in a global perspective.

My NASA Data and the GLOBE program complement each other well. My NASA Data provides educational resources and data which support student exploration of NGSS aligned Earth science phenomena. GLOBE provides opportunities for students to collect their own data related to these phenomena using protocols. A protocol is a standard procedures for collecting and entering data. Each protocol also has supporting grade level-appropriate interdisciplinary learning activities. These protocols and activities have been developed by the scientific community and validated by teachers.

GLOBE resources are organized by protocol rather than phenomena. Therefore My NASA Data provides GLOBE Connections which pull together GLOBE resources by sphere and phenomena. Connecting in this way facilitates exploration of phenomena in a variety of ways and includes components to make it locally relevant for students.

GLOBE biosphere protocols and learning activities can provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore My NASA Data phenomena from various spheres, not just the biosphere.

Living organisms affect the environment and are affected by it. The Biosphere Protocols offer ways to quantify seasonal change, land cover, land use, and the amounts of living and dead biomass on the land surface. Phenology measurements of the timing of plant and animal seasonal changes provide critical climate data. Knowing how plant life and formerly living matter cover the land surface has many uses from preparing to fight fires, identifying habitat changes, and climate modeling, plants moderate the interaction between atmosphere and pedosphere. (Source: GLOBE website)

GLOBE Biosphere Protocol connections are available through My NASA Data.

Learning activities are developed and tested by teachers and scientists. They provide interactive opportunities to explore the concepts related to the protocols. Each My NASA Data Phenomenon has been aligned with various GLOBE protocols and learning activities. They can be found in the GLOBE connections section of My NASA Data for each sphere.

There are mechanisms for students to participate in data collection campaigns, submit research reports and participate in the International Virtual Science Symposium and Student Research Symposia.