Scientists' Corner

Dr. Kevin Czajkowski, the Principal Investigator for the Surface Temperature measurement, and researchers at the University of Toledo would like to announce a field intensive for GLOBE students to take surface temperature observations. We need as many surface temperature observations as possible during the intensive period April 11 to May 6, 2005. In order to participate, a teacher needs to have been GLOBE trained and have an infrared (non-contact) thermometer that meets GLOBE specifications found in the Toolkit section of the Teacher’s Guide. Review the revised Surface Temperature Protocol for more information on the importance of surface temperature and how to collect measurements.

Student observations of surface temperature will be used in conjunction with satellite imagery from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data on NASA's Terra satellite and the Landsat satellites to study the way that land use affects the temperature of the Earth. As our cities expand through urban sprawl, natural areas are converted to buildings, parking lots and roads leading to warming of cities. The growth of cities around the world is leading to increases in the urban heat island effect.

If you would like to know more about participating in the field intensive, please contact Dr. Czajkowski at kczajko@utnet.utoledo.edu

Read about how teachers and students have helped to make some additions to the Surface Temperature protocol to prevent thermal shock when collecting measurements.