The GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium: Creating a Virtual Space for K-12 Students to Share Research

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, an international science and education program, encourages K-16 students from around the world to participate in authentic scientific research of the Earth system. Students use scientific protocols to explore their local environments, compare their findings with other GLOBE schools both in the U.S. and in other participating countries, and then share their findings via the GLOBE.gov website. In order to facilitate this scientific communication, GLOBE began holding virtual international science symposia in 2012. The 2016 science symposium included 105 Earth Science research projects submitted from GLOBE students in various countries, 37 mentoring scientists, and 24 judges. Mentors and judges were members of the GLOBE International STEM Professionals Network and located around the world.

This presentation will include the framework for the science symposium, the scoring rubrics and evaluation, a discussion of some of the student research projects, recruitment and involvement of judges and mentors, and lessons learned.