Like any GLOBE student, Florence Martin is trained to read and record measurements from the instrument shelter at her site. Yet unlike most GLOBE students, she turned 90 on the day Mobile, AL, measured a record high of 105 this summer.

Ms. Martin and her fellow GLOBE participants - some in their 70s, 80s and 90s - at three senior institutions in Mobile, AL, know very well that neither physical infirmity nor advanced age are obstacles to lifelong learning. The seniors maintain GLOBE study sites at two residential facilities, the Allen Memorial Home and the Atria Regency residence. A third site is at a non-residential community center, Senior Citizens Services Inc., also known as the Mary Abbie Berg Senior Center.

These seniors say they have enjoyed the opportunity of a different kind of activity, to work on mastering GLOBEs scientific protocols, and to make a contribution. In the meantime, they say, they are satisfying their own curiosity about the atmosphere and the environment.

Perhaps most profoundly, GLOBE is adding new meaning to their lives. Anne Marshall, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist who works with many of the elderly in the Mobile area, studied psychological well being and found that GLOBE participants showed a measurable improvement compared to a control group.

"I feel very strongly that technology can offer seniors an opportunity to contribute," Marshall said. "The GLOBE program helps to achieve the goal of meaningful activity. One of its most important aspects is that the work is useful to others."

Reaching out to seniors was a special effort by GLOBE in Alabama. "I have always believed learning is life-long, and these seniors show how true that is. I am so excited by their response and with their real desire to become active in GLOBE," said Jennifer Lockett, Deputy Director of GLOBE in Alabama, who was instrumental in getting GLOBE to the seniors in Mobile institutions.

"And look at the benefits to GLOBE," she said. "They're not limited by the school calendar, so they are able to be consistent in their data collection. And they can serve as excellent mentors for young GLOBE students as well."

Like most of us, many of the senior participants have enjoyed sky gazing in the past, but their appreciation of the sky and the clouds has only grown with their GLOBE work. "Ive always loved looking at the clouds, but I notice them even more now. Just yesterday I saw an unusual cloud," said Dolly Taylor, 83, an Allen resident.

In many ways, these seniors represent the epitome of "lifelong learning." Virginia Hutchinson, 74, for example, takes classes at the Mary Abbie Berg Center and is an important contributor to GLOBE, in part because of her computer skills. Ms. Hutchinson didnt try her hand at a computer until two years ago; now she instructs others.

"GLOBE is a good program," she says. "I love studying the clouds, the weather. And I could spend hours and hours on the computer, and I do sometimes. When I broke my arm a while ago, I learned how to use the computer with my left hand."

With age comes wisdom, and many of these seniors bring to GLOBE experience unmatched by students or even some teachers and scientists.

Atria resident Daniel Campion, for example, worked on fighter aircraft in World War II and on airplanes and missiles as a technician for years after the war. Eventually, his work took him to testing the engines for the space shuttle.

"We always, for flying and testing, had to take into account the weather systems," Mr. Campion said. Their concerns were not only for flying or test conditions, he explained, but also for the health and safety of the wider community, to be sure that fumes from engines didnt disburse into populated areas.

Mr. Campion has noted the new humidity protocols from his work with the GLOBE web site and hopes he and his colleagues can be trained. "In our area, it can be cloudy one hour and clear up the next," Mr. Campion said. "I love going out there to read the min/max thermometer. Im 84 years old - thank God I can do this!"

Their participation in the GLOBE program has provided these seniors with a sense of community, not only because they are working closely in groups, but also because they are working for the wider GLOBE community and the world.

"Its real nice that people of all ages - seniors and children - are participating in this program," said Murray Pridgeon, 70, a senior who helps with GLOBE at the senior center. "Were all concerned about the environment and I think this will help clarify some of the scientific questions."

Martha Strachan, 59, of Allen agreed. "Were not done with the world just yet," she said.

Meanwhile, after finishing his protocols for the day, William Pugh, 86, pushed his wheelchair through the front door of the Allen Memorial Home.

"If GLOBE needs more data, they ought to ask more old people to help!" he said with a smile.