|
Helena elementary teacher Libby Kenney is a champion for citizen science! At the end of last school year, Ms. Kenney’s class participated in a NASA cloud observation through the GLOBE Observer program after they completed their series of Mystery Science lessons on weather. The group hiked on Mount Helena, where students not only observed the sky but also explored local plant life along the trail.
“The cloud observation tied everything together, and the class loved it,” said Kenney, who also serves as the elementary education representative for the Montana Science Teachers Association. “We timed our observation with the satellites and received feedback from NASA.”
When citizen scientists submit cloud observations that coincide with satellite flyovers, NASA sends a follow-up email comparing the satellite data with the students’ ground-based observations—an exciting real-world connection that brings science to life.
This fall, Ms. Kenney launched a Nature Club for all second-grade students at her school. The club meets weekly and has already participated in Project Squirrel and nature journaling activities.
“My hope is to reach other classes with citizen science and get those teachers excited about it too!” she said.
Learn more about GLOBE Observer and Project Squirrel.
| 
