Step 1

Observe nature

What is GLOBE?

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 123 countries around the world that investigate the environment. Watch the movie below and go to www.globe.gov for more information.

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?

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:

• Retrieve and Visualize Your Data
• Advanced Data Access Tool

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:

• Explanation Student Research Report
• Project elements and criteria
• Example of a Research Report

Upload report

Option: Virtual Science Sympsosium

If you upload your research report to the Virtual Science Symposium. 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…

Project elements and criteria

Examples of research reports

Take a look at research reports that have been uploaded by students around the world…

Step 7

Present findings on the GLOBE Science Fair

Step 8

Pose new questions

After your research you might have new research questions and you can start the research cycle again.

Questions?

If anything is unclear or you have questions, don’t hesitate and send a mail to info@globenederland.nl