The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.  Announced by the U.S. Government on Earth Day in 1994, GLOBE launched its worldwide implementation in 1995.

Vision: A worldwide community of students, teachers, scientists, and citizens working together to better understand, sustain, and improve Earth’s environment at local, regional, and global scales.

Mission: To promote the teaching and learning of science, enhance environmental literacy and stewardship, and promote scientific discovery.

GLOBE provides grade level-appropriate, interdisciplinary activities and investigations about the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and soil/pedosphere, which have been developed by the scientific community and validated by teachers.  GLOBE connects students, teachers, scientists, and citizens from different parts of the world to conduct real, hands-on science about their local environment and to put this in a global perspective.

GLOBE is sponsored by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of State. Internationally, GLOBE is implemented through government-to-government agreements with each country partner responsible for in-country activities. As the lead agency for GLOBE in the U.S., NASA has the primary responsibility for administering the government-to-government agreements, and for the management of the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) and the data and information systems that support the worldwide implementation.

GLOBE website Links (all free of charge):

  • Elementary GLOBE: K-4 lessons and storybooks that introduce the study of Earth system science.
  • GLOBE Data Explorations: nine 5-12th lessons on how to analyze GLOBE environmental data while also learning atmospheric science concepts and geography.
  • K-12 Classroom Activities: Choose grade level and environmental science filters
  • GLOBE Apps: Apps for teachers, students and Citizen Scientists
  • Online e-Training: GLOBE eTraining provides the opportunity for new and existing GLOBE users to complete science protocol training at anytime, anywhere.

For more information, contact the Arkansas GLOBE partnership, Lynne Hehr [email protected]