The Earth Observation Poster Project at St. George’s School in BogotÌÁ, Colombia, began as an in-depth reading initiative with the idea of having 11th grade students (the final year of high school) read about Earth observation technology and participate in an online videoconference with Earthzine Editor-in-Chief Paul Racette to enhance their reading experience.The project grew and became a literature review poster project with 66 students working in nine groups. Each group was dedicated to one of the Societal Benefit Areas, determining and researching their focus question to discover how Earth observation technology might help make our planet a better place to live.

The general objective of the project was to develop a new awareness about current, real and significant environmental problems.

Specific objectives included: 1) Read and research Earth observation and the assigned Societal Benefit Area, 2) Prepare for and participate in an online videoconference with an expert from Earthzine or NASA, and 3) Write, design and present a scientific poster according to defined parameters.

Students had the additional objective of working in groups. In one activity, each student had one minute to present a summary of a text to their teammates, as two other groups looked on. Then, students from all three groups could comment and ask questions or make suggestions.

As the result of a review process with Earthzine, four of the posters were selected to be presented here. Earthzine hopes to work with other high schools around the world to facilitate similar student research projects.

Link to Spanish version available here.

 

Poster Projects

How can satellite images help predict the future arrival of the ‰ÛÏLa Ni̱a‰Û phenomenon?

In the past two years, the central and southern region of the Americas has suffered the worst La Ni̱a phenomenon in its history. Damages caused by these events are still visible.

St. George’s School, Weather Team , posted on April 5th, 2012

Earth Observation, St. George’s School poster project

 

 

Why has the Amazon, the ‰ÛÏEarth’s lung,‰Û become a major source of greenhouse gases?

Researchers explore why the Amazon ‰ÛÒ ‰ÛÏEarth’s lung‰Û ‰ÛÒ has become a major source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions in recent years. How can this be happening in the Amazon, which is a main source of oxygen?

St. George’s School, Ecosystems Team , posted on April 5th, 2012

Earth Observation, St. George’s School poster project

 

 

How does El Ni̱o affect the climate in Colombia?

Students conduct an analysis of the current social and economic effects of the ‰ÛÏEl Ni̱o‰Û phenomenon in Colombia, including satellite images of different climate elements affected by this phenomenon.

St. George’s School, Climate Team , posted on April 5th, 2012

Earth Observation, St. George’s School poster project

 

 

How can Earth observation help us analyze the impact of a hurricane?

It is important for people to be aware of the natural disasters they might face in order to respond and avoid major consequences. It is necessary to have correct information to analyze the impact of a disaster, in this case, a hurricane.

St. George’s School, Disasters Team , posted on April 5th, 2012

Earth Observation, St. George’s School poster project