The GLOBE Program in Washington was honored to have the President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and his wife visit on July 22, 1997. The President was briefed on the status of GLOBE and enjoyed a demonstration of the GLOBE Student Data Server by GLOBE Director Tom Pyke. Iceland's Secretary General, Kornelius Sigmundsson, Ambassador Einar Benediktsson, U.S. Ambassador to Iceland, Day Mount, and the Under Secretary of Commerce and Administrator of NOAA, James Baker also attended the briefing.

Iceland joined the GLOBE Program on May 30, 1997. Iceland's Country coordinator and two teachers attended a GLOBE Training Workshop in Cologne, Germany in June 1997. GLOBE science and education activities will be initiated by an elementary and lower secondary school in Reykjaavik and an upper secondary school in Keflavik.