Northern Climate Change Schools Program

Student Research Project

A number of the classrooms involved in the Northern Climate Change Schools Program completed a common student research project. The purpose of this research project was to collect environmental data, and to share and compare the results of the investigations with other classrooms. Teachers explored into a number of data collection protocols, and decided to use the protocols available on the GLOBE program for atmospheric investigations -- specifically clouds. The results of this research project were made available on the GLOBE website, as well as the Northern Climate Change Schools Program Classroom Data ExChange. Through these websites, classrooms are sharing the results of their investigations with classrooms across the North, and across the world!

About the GLOBE program

Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. Students and teachers from over 10,000 schools in more than 95 countries are working with research scientists to learn more about our planet.

GLOBE students make environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data through the Internet. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their science education. Global images based on GLOBE student data are displayed on the World Wide Web, enabling students and other visitors to visualize the student environmental observations.

The Globe program website is at www.globe.gov

Clouds and Climate Change

Clouds play a complex role in climate. They are the source of precipitation, affect the amount of energy from the sun that reaches the Earth's surface, and insulate Earth's surface and lower atmosphere. Clouds are made up of water vapour, which is an important greenhouse gas, and play an important role in the global climate system. Cloud conditions may change if the Earth's surface becomes warmer, and as a result, are an important consideration in models that are used to predict climate change.

By observing clouds, we can get information about temperature, moisture, and wind conditions in different places in the atmosphere. This information helps in predicting the weather. Observations of clouds also help us know how much sunlight is reaching the ground and how easily heat from the ground and lower atmosphere can escape, and this information is important in understanding climate.

About the Cloud Protocols

GLOBE Cloud Protocols provide a method for students to take cloud observations with their eyes. The only equipment needed is the GLOBE cloud chart, so these protocols are easy to get started. The charts help students develop skills in identifying cloud cover and cloud type.