GLOBE News Brief – December 2025 | | |
Dear GLOBE community,
The GLOBE Program will see many changes in the coming months due to funding limitations. This week, we are rolling out changes to our websites and app to better streamline and simplify accounts and training requirements. We plan to roll out additional changes in 2026. If you missed the information sessions in December, see below for more information.
We are sad to share that starting in January, we are no longer able to support the work of the Regional Coordination Offices (RCOs) outside of the United States. We would like to thank Mark Brettenny (Africa), Desh Bandhu (Asia and Pacific), Dana Votápková, Lenka Kleger, and Bára Semeráková (Europe and Eurasia), Mariana Savino (Latin America and Caribbean), Salma Ahmad Al Zubi (Near East and North Africa), and their teams for their incredible dedication to GLOBE and efforts to build STEM engagement and learning through GLOBE. In their absence, the GLOBE Implementation Office (GIO) will do our best to support country coordinators.
As 2025 (and our 30th anniversary) comes to a close, we have a lot to be proud of. We continue to be inspired by this community’s engagement in GLOBE. Not only are we collecting valuable data for researchers, but we’re also inspiring people of all ages to get outside to take observations and take action in their communities, and we’re teaching the next generation of students valuable skills in STEM, data literacy, and communication. Read a few highlights from 2025 below.
In 2026, we’re looking forward to some exciting new initiatives, including the Blowing Snow pilot, as we continue to find ways to collaborate with NASA, NOAA, and other scientists. Stay tuned!
Best,
| Rebecca Lewis and Becky Boger, GIO Co-Directors | | |
In 2025, the GLOBE Program reached an amazing milestone—30 years!
Hundreds of you joined us to celebrate 30 years through our anniversary broadcast, which has more than 1,800 views. Many of you contributed to the GLOBE Community Poem, which culminated in this moving video. More than 150 sites submitted 3,100+ measurements in response to the Air Temperature Challenge! And hundreds of you have continued to engage through the GLOBE Annual Meeting and Learning Sessions.
The 30 Years of GLOBE Campaign launched with a student design logo contest and inspired the theme for the 2025 International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS), which received over 400 submissions from all six GLOBE regions. Many thanks to the 380 IVSS volunteer judges.
In addition to contributing to GLOBE’s global measurement campaigns and intensive observation periods on mosquitos, trees, snow view, and surface temperature, GLOBE participants contributed data to research at NASA, NOAA, and others!
We provided data for ground validation to improve NASA’s Earth Systems Monitoring GEDI (Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation) L4a biomass product through a GLOBE Africa-led initiative. NASA Scientist Dr. Yoseline Angel requested GLOBE land cover observations for her research on wildflower and tree flower blooms to help her identify blooms in satellite data. And our weather observations are now being shared with NOAA MADIS, connecting GLOBE’s data to the larger meteorological community. We also worked with the NASA Disaster Response Coordination System team to gather more than 2,600 land cover photos to document change before and after big storms through NASA Response Mappers. And we collaborated with Business Professionals of America (BPA) to include GLOBE skills for the 2026 Workforce Skills Assessment Program (WSAP) competition. In collaboration with SciStarter, GLOBE volunteers submitted more than 15,000 clouds, land cover, mosquito habitat, and trees observations, contributing a total of 17,865 acts of science toward SciStarter's goal of a million! Many of these highlights (and more!) were captured in our 2024–25 GLOBE Annual Review.
The year 2025 reflects the incredible work of our RCOs, their staff, and the regions they represent through the many regional highlights shared over the year. We encourage you to watch a recent Learning Session featuring the work of the RCOs for a snapshot of their many accomplishments.
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Changes to GLOBE Accounts
and My Pages Scheduled for 18–19 December
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On 18–19 December, GLOBE's Data Information Systems (DIS) team will be implementing changes to new user accounts and My Pages:
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For anyone signing up to join GLOBE, there will be one account option (formerly we offered Citizen Scientists, Educator/Teachers, and Students 13+ account types). This will not impact existing users. For new users creating accounts, the process for account creation will become simpler and quicker.
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Your My Page will no longer feature your biographical information. My Pages will feature all of your GLOBE observations and offer access to Guest accounts (formerly called Student accounts).
- The ability to post blogs and collaborate using GLOBE Friends will no longer be available on GLOBE.gov.
Information sessions on these changes were held in December. View the session slides and visit our new FAQ page for more information and to submit additional questions. We will continue to update the FAQ page.
We anticipate additional changes in 2026, including removing the ability to create new organizations and apply to become a Trainer/Mentor Trainer. We will inform the community when a date for these changes has been determined. If you would like to add new organizations or apply to become a Trainer/Mentor Trainer, we encourage you to do so now.
| New GLOBE Training Requirements! | |
Starting 19 December, GLOBE training requirements will become much simpler: GLOBE members will be asked to complete a training in each protocol they plan to use.
There are FOUR training options (complete ONE for each protocol for which you plan to enter data):
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Review the field guide.
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Complete a Data Collection eTraining (New! Available for some protocols only). Upon completion, you will receive a virtual badge.
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Complete a full Protocol eTraining and Protocol Self-Assessment. Upon completion, your training records on GLOBE.gov will be updated.
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Attend an in-person or virtual GLOBE workshop.
The Introduction to GLOBE training will be optional. Before starting a protocol-specific training, we encourage users to complete the Introduction trainings for the corresponding sphere (Atmosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Pedosphere), but all sphere introduction trainings will be optional.
This change in training requirements means that ALL USERS (including former Citizen Scientist accounts) will now have access to protocols beyond the GLOBE Observer protocols as long as they complete the appropriate training(s).
Visit our FAQ page to find answers to questions raised at the information sessions.
| 2026 Virtual Science Symposium (VSS) |
Showcase Your GLOBE Investigations
The Virtual Science Symposium (VSS) provides an opportunity for GLOBE participants of all ages to showcase their GLOBE investigations. Participants have the opportunity to earn virtual badges and get valuable feedback on their GLOBE investigations from STEM professionals. Make sure to view the big changes to the 2026 VSS. Participants are encouraged to submit their full research project or a research project proposal via the "Upload a Research Report" button on the 2026 Virtual Science Symposium webpage between 15 December 2025 and 30 January 2026.
Webinar Recording
In case you missed it, view the 2026 VSS Kick-off and Informational Webinar from 12 December 2025.
Volunteer to Review VSS Projects
Make an impact by volunteering to be a 2026 VSS STEM reviewer! Reviewing consists of providing feedback on VSS research projects, which takes approximately 20 minutes per project and has a lasting impact on the future success of GLOBE researchers. We are looking for volunteers who can provide feedback on projects in English. If you are interested in volunteering, or know a STEM professional or educator who might be interested, please complete the STEM Reviewer Volunteer Form. Find more information on the VSS Reviewer Resources webpage.
Upcoming Webinar
An orientation webinar for selected reviewers will be held 11 February at 12 pm ET (17:00 UTC). Reviewers will receive registration information directly from VSS staff.
| Blowing Snow Pilot Program | |
Blowing snow events can be sudden and often take people by surprise, decreasing visibility and creating a significant travel hazard. GLOBE invites you to help NOAA scientists verify satellite imagery of blowing snow! Learn more about why your observations are important and find instructions on how to submit blowing snow observations through GLOBE Clouds.
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These virtual sessions are designed to support the community by fostering collaboration, advancing scientific knowledge, and sharing innovative strategies.
Upcoming Session: Register Today!
Overview of GLOBE’s New Data Collection eTraining Modules
13 January, 11 am ET (16:00 UTC)
Register now to join members of the GIO's Science, Training, Education, and Public Engagement (GIO-STEPE) team for an introduction to the new Data Collection eTraining modules. This session will walk you through how to access the updated eTrainings in the GLOBE Network on the Mighty platform, explain how the Data Collection eTrainings differ from the Protocol eTrainings, and highlight additional updates.
Additional Learning Sessions on topics such as Lake Observations from Citizen Scientists and Satellites (LOCSS), resources for engaging GLOBE alumni, and UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Global Diplomacy Fellows will be announced in the coming months.
Session Materials and Recordings
2025 GLOBE Annual Meeting
Previous Learning Sessions
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Trees Around the GLOBE
Upcoming Webinar
Webinar Recordings
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Urban Heat Island Intensive Observation Period (IOP)
The December Urban Heat Island Effect (UHI) IOP is happening now! GLOBE Mission Earth invites educators, citizen scientists, and students to take part in this important data collection IOP by collecting surface temperature, air temperature, and cloud observations throughout December. Learn how to participate.
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GLOBE Observer Connect
Disasters | January Webinar
Join GLOBE Observer Connect on 22 January at 12 pm ET (17:00 UTC) when members of the NASA Disaster’s Program will share what they learned from the NASA Response Mappers pilot project and how the project impacted disaster impact mapping. Learn more and register.
Practice Mode | Webinar Recording
In this webinar, participants explored two new features of the GLOBE Observer app: practice mode and Clouds special features photos. Learn what practice mode does, how to find it, and ways to use it. Watch the GO Connect webinar recording.
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SMAP and GLOBE Celebrate Anniversaries |
Celebrating 10 Years of SMAP
The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Mission celebrates 10 years of inspiring GLOBE schools and citizen scientists from more than 380 global locations to observe, collect, and learn about soil moisture—with the community contributing over 14,000 ground-based observations to date. Learn more.
| Regional Campaigns and Highlights | |
Africa
News
- The 2024–25 Annual Report for Mauritius's Ministry of Education and Human Resource highlighted GLOBE Africa's successful participation in the 2025 IVSS and its teacher training workshops held in June in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and the Rajiv Gandhi Science Center.
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Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)
Trees Within LAC Campaign
On Thursday, 18 December, at 7 pm ART (22:00 UTC), the GLOBE LAC Regional Office will host the final webinar of the year, closing a cycle of regional activities for the campaign. Register.
News
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Near East and North Africa
Stars Story
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North America
News
Events
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North America Virtual Regional Meeting | Save the Date: 27–29 January 2026
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Find more events and opportunities on the Events page of the GLOBE website. Read more Stars Stories under News and Events.
| | Additional News and Information | |
Remembering U.S. GLOBE Partner
Dr. Barbie Buckner
It is with deep sadness that we share that our friend and colleague Dr. Barbie Buckner passed away recently. She dedicated her life to fostering a love for learning in all of those around her. She will be missed.
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2025 YLACES Grantees
Congratulations to the 2025 YLACES grantees whose projects empower students to take part and grow in the field of science! Learn more about the grantees engaged with GLOBE.
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NASA Science and NASEM Articles
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Reminders
Upcoming My NASA Data Events
Are you interested in using authentic NASA Earth and/or environmental data to engage students with scientific practices and enhance their data literacy? Consider registering for the upcoming My NASA Data webinars. Learn more and register.
GLOBE International STEM Network (GISN)
If you're not already a member, the GISN welcomes scientists and STEM professionals to increase participation across all six GLOBE regions. Visit the GISN webpage to learn more and apply for membership.
GLOBE Publications
Have you written a GLOBE-related paper? Submit your publication(s) and browse the collection of recent and past submissions.
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