GLOBE Science Fair
Student info
The GLOBE Science Fair
Every year we organize the GLOBE Science Fair where students present their research findings! On this page you find the information on how to participate in the Science Fair.
- When?: June 9th 2023
- Who? Every GLOBE school can send 1 (or max 3) team(s) of 3 to 5 students (level H/V 3/4/5).
- How? Make sure your teacher registers.
- Have you already done a GLOBE research project? Discuss with you teacher whether this meets the criteria
- Are you looking for a GLOBE research project? Follow the steps of the research cycle below.
- Why? It is great to be able to show your research to scientists and other students & you can win an award.
- Where? Wageningen University & Research
Information video
Questions
If anything is unclear or you have questions, don’t hesitate and send a mail to [email protected]
Science Fair Awards

3 goblet awards
- Jury award (awarded by scientific jury)
- Public award (you will rate your fellow students)
- GLOBE Bee Game award (an outdoor activity)
Microplastics award
- special “behind the scenes” tour
- meeting with a scientist specialized in microplastic and seals
- beach clean up activity
The winning team can even take their entire class with them and will go on an additional boat trip on the Waddenzee.
Step 0
Research cycle
During the road to the Science Fair you can use the GLOBE Research Cycle to help guide your research!
Step 1
Observe nature
In this step you do some orientation to find out what GLOBE research you want to do. First find out more about the GLOBE Program. NASA’s network of students on 37.000 schools in 126 countries around the world that investigate the environment. Watch the movie below and go to www.globe.gov for more information.
GLOBE intro movie
Choose what research you want to do
There are many different types of research you can do with GLOBE. How you perform such a research is described in a protocol. This way every student around the world performs the measurements in the same way, which makes them comparable.
The protocols can be found on the international website www.globe.gov. Below we give you the direct links.
Step 2
Pose questions
Once you know what you want to investigate you need to think about a research question. Use the worksheet to Evaluate Possible Research Questions for guidance.
Step 3
Plan investigation
How will you test your hypothesis and answer your research question?
- Develop a research plan with specific steps to complete your investigation, including who will be responsible for each task if you are working in a group.
- Decide what existing data you need, where this can be obtained, and how you will get this.
- Identify the resources available to you such as measurement equipment and supplies.
- Identify what help you may need from others including your teacher, experienced scientists, and other adults and students. It often helps to have a mentor or coach when learning anything new.
- Plan your time. When and where will you take measurements? How will you get other data that you need? Especially keep in mind the deadline for handing in your research project to be considered for the Science Fair!
Step 4
Collect data
Use the GLOBE protocols you have chosen in step 1 to investigate the environment and upload the data you gather to the GLOBE database.
You can use the GLOBE data entry app to send your measurements to the GLOBE database.
To learn how to work with the website, you can use the web tutorials.
Step 5
Analyze data
You can now look at the data you’ve gathered and even compare it to the measurements of other schools. At this moment students from more than 37,000 schools around the world have gathered more than 175,000,000 measurements. That’s a lot! The following tools can help you to look at all these measurements:
Step 6
Document conclusions
Writing a report
Once you have analyzed your data, you can start writing the report. The following documents can help you with that:
Upload report
Upload your report to the international website (deadline: May 31st 2023) using the link below.
Note: ask your teacher for the student account to log in
Option: Virtual Science Sympsosium
If you upload your research report to the Virtual Science Symposium (deadline: Mach 10th 2023). You will get feedback on your report from an international scientist. If you have an excellent report and reply in the proper way you might win and get funding to come to the international GLOBE meeting.
If you choose to take this chance, you can read more: Virtual Science Symposium 2023.
Step 7
Present findings on Science Fair
Program Science Fair June 9th 2023

11:00 opening
11:30 presentations in stand
12:30 lunch
13:15 tour on campus
14:15 outside activities
15:15 award ceremony
15:45 the end
Location
Present in a stand

You will present your research in a stand to your fellow students, teachers and the scientific jury. You will have a table and poster wall to present:
- The research report that you have also uploaded to the website so the scientists can read it beforehand
- Anything you want to show to present your research. For example:
- Poster (you may use the standard format)
- Film
- 3D object
Tips and Tools for Preparing a Presentation:
- Ten Secrets to Giving a Good Scientific Talk
- Classic Poster Template PDF | PowerPoint (right mouse click, copy link address and paste in a new window). Note: this includes middle school and high school/undergraduate elements, modify as needed.
- Creative Poster Examples: There’s a current push in the scientific community to explore presenting research in a more creative way. Try something new or using these examples to help your creative ideas flow!
Scientific jury
The jury exists of scientists that will visit all stands. When the jury visits your stand you have 3 minutes for a pitch about your research and some minutes to answer questions by the jury. The jury will rate on:
- The research report
- The pitch
- The stand
- Language and quality of your English
Awards
There are three goblet awards:
- Jury award
(awarded by scientific jury) - Public award
(you will rate your fellow students) - GLOBE Bee Game award
(an outdoor activity)
Step 8
Pose new questions
After your research you might have new research questions and you can start the research cycle again. Maybe you want to work something out in a PO (practical assignment) or PWS.