Anyone who thinks that science is about fancy equipment and expensive tools could learn a lesson from the GLOBE teachers and students at Escuela Superior de la Comunidad Luis Munoz Marin in Yauco, Puerto Rico. Eager to begin their GLOBE activities, students and teachers at Luis Munoz Marin designed their own equipment using materials they already had on hand at the school's laboratory, such as picks, sticks, ropes and glasses to collect samples. Understanding the importance of regularly collecting data, students made sure that measurements were taken and observations were recorded on weekends and holidays.

Recognizing the value of the students' work, the Puerto Rico Department of Education and the University of Puerto Rico GLOBE Franchise have now provided official GLOBE instruments to the school. The students are also appealing to local businesses to donate computer equipment.

"The deterioration of our atmosphere always worried me. Even though I had been involved in the recycling program, before GLOBE, I never knew how to help my country and also contribute to the conservation of the entire world," reported a GLOBE student.

In September 1998, GLOBE students from Luis Munoz Marin will travel to the World Expo in Lisbon, Portugal. The students will join with their peers from Portugal to present the GLOBE science activities to Expo visitors.