From Learning to Research: Working with Middle and High School Students and Teachers to create climate projects using 21st Century Technologies

In conjunction with The GLOBE Program's Student Climate Research Campaign, the NSF-funded From Learning to Research (L2R) project seeks to develop a successful model for student-teacher-scientist interaction and collaboration using 21st century technologies. Now over halfway into the second year of the project, this presentation will highlight strategies and successes in developing this model. 75 GLOBE-trained teachers (30 the first year, 45 the second year) from 22 US states and Puerto Rico participated in a week long professional development institute followed by twice-monthly webinars throughout the school year with the overall goal of creating a locally relevant climate project with their students and a partnering class. The week long professional development institute focused on project-based learning, Next Generation Science Standards, climate and climate change education, dealing with climate change misconceptions and controversies, and 21st century skills. Webinars included career talks by professionals in a variety of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) careers, teacher updates on the climate projects, and science, technology, or education information. Students collaborated on their climate projects with other schools involved in the project via Skype, Adobe Connect, or email. The culminating event for the first year was a Virtual Student Climate Conference, which was held in May 2012. Students virtually presented their climate projects and then watched other schools' presentations. Students asked questions via The GLOBE Program's new social platform on http://globe.gov. Two schools were also invited to present to an international audience of scientists and educators at The GLOBE Program's Annual Meeting in July 2012. At the end of the second year of L2R, The GLOBE Program will host a second Virtual Student Climate Conference on http://globe.gov, which will be held in May 2013.

The GLOBE Program is an international K-12 science and education program, engaging teachers and their students in an exploration of the environment. Using scientific protocols, students collect environmental data in their community, asking questions, developing scientific projects, and ultimately gaining a better understanding of their world. GLOBE has been implemented at over 25,000 schools in over 110 countries since 1995.