Since its beginnings in the early 1990’s, the GLOBE program (www.globe.gov) has helped students and teachers in over 100 countries collect environmental data as part of the process of learning how to do science and to provide this valuable data to scientists for use in scientific research. It has been this important partnership between students, teachers, scientists, and others that has made this one of the most recognized science and education programs in the world. Recently, the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and Colorado State University (CSU) were officially awarded a Cooperative Agreement from NASA to assume primary responsibility for administrating the U.S. and international GLOBE program. As GLOBE enters a new era of growth and opportunity, UCAR and CSU are calling upon the education and scientific community around the world to help chart the future of GLOBE.

The GLOBE program is a network of over 12,000 K-14 schools, science centers, after-school programs and other organizations where students collect scientific data according to precise protocols and then enter the data into a central database allowing both scientists and students to utilize the data. Through this network, GLOBE trains teachers to help students improve their achievement in science and math, and in the use of computer and network technology. In addition, GLOBE increases student awareness of their environment from a scientific viewpoint, without advocacy relative to issues. GLOBE improves student understanding of science because it involves them in performing real science - taking measurements, analyzing data, and participating in research in collaboration with scientists. Through this direct exposure to what is science is about, GLOBE helps expand the pipeline of potential future scientists and researchers for industry, academia, and government.

GLOBE has the potential to be a significant source of data to the meteorological community. Already, the vast majority of data being collected around the world is related to the atmosphere. The new GLOBE administrators plan to continue and expand current GLOBE efforts to include the latest technologies including remote-sensing and GIS. Partnerships have already been developed with numerous NASA satellite missions including atmosphere-focused Aqua, CloudSat, Aura and CALIPSO. Partnerships are also in the works with meteorologic field efforts, both nationally and internationally such as those conducted by NCAR.