MRV From Space: GEDI Opens a New Era of Biomass Inference

The Corona Virus pandemic changed the way we engage teachers and students in educational outreach. GLOBE Mission EARTH (GME) is a NASA funded project through Science Activation with the goal of engaging students in authentic science using the GLOBE program and NASA assets. GME adjusted the way we interact with teachers and students to account for the changing school situations. Our goal was to engage them throughout the shutdown and we switched to alternative approaches to engage students. We adapted to the changing situation developing new approaches that show promise for continuation as GME expands its reach. For formal education, we worked with teachers in hybrid (virtual and face-to-face) professional development where possible especially meeting at parks for data collection. We also developed and provided take-home kits for students to take GLOBE observations. The pandemic made it necessary to work with more informal organizations due to the limitations placed on formal institutions. We involved students through a Kid's Club for 3-5 graders, summer camps across the US for elementary and middle school students, extra-curricular programs, after school programs and through informal education settings such as the Saturday Climate Justice Program. A key element in this outreach was engaging students in topics that are relevant to them. The innovations in teacher and student engagement induced by the pandemic for formal and informal science education will be utilized moving forward by GME and, along with changing technology, can be expected to evolve further over the next decades. The best practices we are learning through this process will be utilized moving forward.