GLOBE
NATIVE AMERICAN NETWORK PROJECTS:

In February 1999, the Science and Mathematics Learning Center (SMLC) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) proposed to the Arizona Board of Regents Higher Education Eisenhower Program the GLOBE~NAN (Native American Network) Project as a way to bridge the gap between scientists and teachers interested in studying their local environments. The project was designed to directly benefit K-12 teachers and their students by providing professional development and technical assistance to educators and tribal scientists in schools serving Native American students.

Thomas Sisk, one of NAU's collaborating scientists, states: "Scientists like GLOBE because the participants collect data that is genuinely useful and that wouldn't otherwise be gathered. Students learn HOW to collect this information and WHY it is useful to scientist and valuable to society. There are many ways to teach science; GLOBE has teachers and their students DOING science, and that is the best, most enjoyable way to learn"

GLOBE~NAN I was designed for teams of educators of Native American students. There were eight teams (20 total participants) of educators primarily form schools on or near the Navajo reservation and from the National Park Service. The project began with an eight-day summer institute beginning July 28, 1999. The format and content of the institute consisted of learning the GLOBE protocols and instructional materials side-by-side with research scientists and GLOBE~NAN staff. In addition, GLOBE~NAN staff and participants infused cultural relationships whenever possible in an effort to connect environmental science and the Dine' culture.

GLOBE~NAN II was a partnership with the SMLC, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Environmental Education Outreach Program (EEOP), Navajo Nation Rural Systemic Initiative (NNRSI), and the Four Corners Upward Bound Math and Science Program (FCUBMSP). The project involved 10 school teams of educators serving NNRSI schools, one school in Sacaton, Arizona, and continued professional development and support for 6 teams returning from GLOBE~NAN I.

A three-day mini summer institute was held for returning GLOBE~NAN I project participants from May 31 - June 12, 2000. The focus of the institute was on new GLOBE protocols, such as phenology, technology standards and instruction, and curriculum and standards connections of GLOBE to other curricular areas.

A nine-day summer institute was held for new GLOBE~NAN II participants from June 5 - 15, 2000. The focus of this institute was science content instruction, curriculum and standards alignment, effective instructional strategies, Navajo cultural connections, and technology integration as related to learning the GLOBE program. The format and content of the institute was similar to that in GLOBE~NAN I, which primarily consisted of learning the GLOBE protocols and instructional materials side-by-side with research scientist and GLOBE~NAN II staff.

GLOBE~NAN Project Principal Investigator: Ms Joelle Clark, Instructor, Science and Mathematics Learning Center, Northern Arizona University

The GLOBE~NAN Project was funded by the Arizona Board of Regents Higher Education Eisenhower Program in 1999 and 2000.

NAU || EEOP || SMLC || GLOBE 




For more information about NAU Partnership activities contact:




 

  
      

      Joelle G. Clark, M.A.

      Science and Mathematics Learning Center

      Northern Arizona University

      PO Box 5697

      Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5697

      (520) 523-8797

      (520) 523-7953 fax

      E-mail: joelle.clark@nau.edu

   

       

       Mansel A. Nelson

       Environmental Education Outreach Program

       Northern Arizona University

       PO Box 5765

       Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5765

       (520) 523-1275

       (520) 523-1280 fax

       E-mail: mansel.nelson@nau.edu