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Marile Colon Robles

Publications and source records attributed to Marile Colon Robles.

GLOBE Observer Data: 2016-2019

This technical report summarizes the GLOBE Observer dataset from 1 April 2016 to 1 December 2019. GLOBE Observer is an ongoing NASA-sponsored international citizen science project that is part of the larger Global Learning & Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, which has been in operation since 1995. GLOBE Observer has the greatest number of participants and geographic coverage of the citizen science projects in the Earth Science Division at NASA. Participants use the GLOBE Observer mobile app (launched in 2016) to collect atmospheric, hydrologic, and terrestrial observations. The app connects participants to satellite observations from Aqua, Terra, CALIPSO, and MODIS. 38,000 participants have contributed 320,000 observations worldwide, including 1,000,000 georeferenced photographs. It would take an individual more than 13 years to replicate this effort. The GLOBE Observer app has substantially increased the spatial extent and sampling density of GLOBE measurements and more than doubled the number of measurements collected through the GLOBE Program. GLOBE Observer data are publicly available at observer.globe.gov.

Helen M Amos

Connecting a Community of Observers Directly to NASA Satellites

The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program is an international science and education initiative that gives students and the public worldwide an opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process and to contribute meaningfully to our understanding of Earth and the global environment. GLOBE launched in 1995, with the vision of bringing a worldwide community of students, teachers, scientists, and citizens together to better understand, sustain, and improve Earth's environment at local, regional, and global scales (https://www.globe.gov/about/overview).

Linda Hayden

We Are All Potential Role Models: How We Can Support Scientist Engagement with Youth and the General Public

We all have the opportunity to be positive STEM role models. Yet scientists rarely identify themselves as a possible role model. In the training, “Empowering Effective STEM Role Models,” scientists practice research based strategies for engaging youth, particularly girls. This type of training is complementary to science communication, but is focused on equipping scientists with the skills needed to successfully encourage youth to pursue STEM careers. This training has been provided to over 150 STEM professionals at NASA and 14 federal agencies participated in a Train-the-Trainer version, organized by the White House Council for Women and Girls in STEM Working Group. Participants in this training reported that learning and practicing how to connect with and inspire children in STEM made them more confident stepping into further engagement opportunities. Confident, inspiring scientists are a highlight of a successful engagement event, but other factors make a positive experience possible.It’s important that all partners are thoughtful and intentional in preparing for public engagement events. The logistics are crucial, especially now while many engagements have moved to virtual platforms. Additional technology considerations make preparation essential. Two examples of virtual engagement highlight the support provided that led to successful engagements. The GLOBE Mission Earth project engages scientists in virtual classroom visits. To ensure both teacher and scientist expectations are met, a coordinator facilitates up front preparation by providing slide templates for the scientist to customize and providing video and other resources to the teacher and students to prompt student questions. Another example leverages the power of social media, particularly NASA Facebook. The NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative organizes citizen science challenges and engages the public on social. For one event, scientists were asked to share their connection to the investigation, but without access to NASA’s video production studio, the plans shifted. Scientists prepared audio files instead of videos and collaborated with communications leads to help craft their message. This weekly series has been flexible, adjusting to scientist's comfort levels, and has resulted in fresh and creative engagement.

Jessica Elaine Taylor

917 GLOBE Eclipse: Citizen Scientist Measurements of Atmospheric Changes During Astronomical Events

The GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Program is an international citizen science (CS) and education program. The program’s GLOBE Observer app guides participants to collect cloud and air temperature observations during solar eclipses. The participants are prompted to collect: - Air temperature every 10 minutes and then every 5 minutes 30 minutes before/after maximum. - Cloud information (cover, type, and height) every 15 to 30 minutes. - A land cover observation the day of the eclipse (new in 2023). This research explores: - The importance of citizen science. - The effects of the solar eclipse on clouds.

Ashlee Autore