Globe School awarded Arizona Parks & Recreation Association 2003 Outstanding Educational Program Award

In January of 2003 a GLOBE Atmosphere station was installed at Agua Caliente Park, a unique riparian park nestled at the base of the Rincon Mountains bordering the far east side of Tucson.  GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is a hands-on international environmental science program that unites students, educators, and scientists from around the world in studying the global environment.  Goals of the program include enhancing environmental awareness of individuals worldwide, increasing scientific understanding of the Earth, and improving student achievement in science and mathematics. Over 6,000 schools in more than 75 countries are participating in the GLOBE Program.

Recognizing the benefits of utilizing this program in the natural setting of this beautiful resource park, Wendy Burroughs of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation and Robin Johnson of the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality joined forces to spearhead the project. Faced with the challenge of budget and staffing constraints, the pair partnered with local environmental organizations and the University of Arizona GLOBE Education Team to form a pilot program at Agua Caliente Park.

Over the next 4 months, 760 students and teachers representing fourteen k-12 schools from six school districts area visited Agua Caliente to participate in a variety of environmental study projects at the park. Each of the partnering organizations provided a task for the participating schools to accomplish on their field trip to the park.

Students recorded daily observations of clouds, air and soil temperatures, and precipitation, which was entered into the GLOBE database and made accessible to people around the world. The students also collected water quality data from the natural spring and ponds located in the park. They recorded sample information on water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, alkalinity, transparency, and dissolved oxygen. Both pre-and post-classroom visits were offered.

Students were introduced to science protocols through the study of climate, weather, and air quality. In addition, they learned about the history of the area, the hydrologic cycle and riparian ecosystems. This learning was reinforced back in the classrooms when students explored the GLOBE website and reviewed data records, graphs, and maps with the worldwide network.

The project culminated in a special event at the park: A Day in May, A GLOBE Celebration. The program partners joined together to offer a day of reinforcing activities that summarized the elements of the various projects. 110 students participated in activities that included:

What's in the Water? Students observed fish and tiny insects, measured pH and dissolved solids in the water, and learned how water quality factors can affect life in the water;

The Soils Below: Students explored what makes soils different, how soil holds water, and how soils are layered;

Rolling Rivers Trailer: participants designed a community complete with trails and plants that prevent erosion and protect the watershed;

Watch, Listen and Learn: students enjoyed a nature walk and observed the local flora and fauna thriving in the desert and riparian habitats;

Clouds and Climate: students explored microhabitats at the park and discovered the cooler and warmer places. This also provided an opportunity to test student skills at estimating cloud cover.

Air Quality and You: students explored air quality and the causes and effects of air pollution. A pair of pig lungs provided a visual impact of how air pollution affects our bodies.

Putting It All Together: participants constructed a map of observations and comments from the day’s activities to gain a better understanding of a riparian ecosystem.

The partnering organizations involved in this successful endeavor included: Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation; Pima County Environmental Quality; GLOBE K-12 Environmental Education Program; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; Pima Center for Conservation Education; Pima County Flood Control; SAHRA Science & Technology Center; Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society; Tucson Audubon Society; Tucson’s River of Words Youth Poetry & Art Contest; Tucson Water Outreach Education; University of Arizona GLOBE Hydrology Team, U of A Hydrology Department, and Graduate Students / CATTS Fellows.

A group of high school students aptly named the GLOBETrotters, contributed as mentors and guides to assist younger students.  These students represented Presidio High School and the Sunnyside High School IMPACTT class, an integrated environmental education program.

The comments and evaluations received from teachers, students and guests were overwhelmingly positive. All of the partners expressed a desire to participate in the program next year.

The program demonstrated the successful implementation and integration of relevant environmental science, literacy, and art programs complete with local and international community interactions, applications, and impact. This pilot project truly made its mark as an outstanding educational program.

See Agua Caliente Park School's Data on the GLOBE Site

	Bales & Conklin Top 10
	Most Water Temperature Measurements Submitted - Last 30 Days
	School	Avg	Obs
	Suanmon School, Nakornrajasima, TH	29.35	17
	Zakladni skola, Brumov - Bylnice, Czech, CZ	19.55	10
	Vang barne- og ungdomsskule (6-16), Valdres, NO	13.58	10
	Juuan Lukio-Poikolan Koulu, Juuka, FI	14.86	9
	Norfork Elementary School, Norfork, AR, US	20.29	7
	Virkby gymnasium, Virkby, FI	13.50	7
	OS Dubovac, Karlovac, HR	29.50	6
	WANAKA Field Station, Milton, VT, US	21.33	6
	NES Ozark Hydro-thon, Norfork, AR, US	19.38	6
	OS Banija , Karlovac, HR	25.00	4

      How we calculate these numbers