Photo credit: science.nasa.gov
Empowering Students Through Real-World Science Engagement
Active engagement in scientific research relating to real-life situations allows students to identify as scientists, fostering a sense of relevance and responsibility. This engagement can ignite a lasting interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), potentially leading to further education and career opportunities in these disciplines. Programs that connect students with authentic scientific experiences, such as the one detailed in this article, not only enhance understanding of STEM but also cultivate curiosity and self-assurance. With dedicated educators’ support, these valuable encounters can encourage students to envision themselves as contributors to the scientific community.
In September 2021, Deanna Danke, a mathematics teacher at Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in Queens, New York, introduced her students to measuring tree heights using trigonometry. Discovering the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Observer Trees Tool, Ms. Danke and her over 150 students began documenting tree height observations on their campus—an ongoing effort that has yielded extensive data. This initiative enables researchers, both students and professionals, to collect measurement clusters that align with NASA satellite data, allowing for comprehensive analysis over time.
As a result of the consistent data collection, Ms. Danke was invited to co-author a peer-reviewed research paper published on June 21, 2022, in the Environmental Research Letters special edition dedicated to public involvement in environmental research. The paper titled “The potential of citizen science data to complement satellite and airborne lidar tree height measurements: lessons from The GLOBE Program” featured contributions from the tree height observations recorded by Ms. Danke’s students—an impressive accomplishment for all participants.
On March 21, 2025, past and present students of Ms. Danke took part in an enriching experience at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia. They attended presentations by experts involved in missions such as the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) and Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM), as well as insights from the Wallops Balloon Program Office. The discussion surrounding ICESat-2 highlighted the importance of the tree height data collected by students and how these measurements are utilized from space.
Ms. Danke’s efforts illustrate the profound influence that educators can have by tying classroom lessons to real-world scientific exploration. By introducing students to valuable tools such as the GLOBE Observer Trees Tool and facilitating their meaningful engagement with NASA scientific efforts, she has opened avenues of experience that many students aspire to—ranging from participating in supportive data collection for satellite missions to contributing to academic publications and visiting NASA centers. Stories like this underscore the unlimited potential for learning, excitement, and career pathways in STEM when students are empowered to engage in genuine science.
The GLOBE Observer app, pivotal for Ms. Danke and her students, is supported by the NASA Earth Science Education Collaborative (NESEC). This complimentary mobile application features four tools enabling citizen scientists to partake in NASA science: Clouds, Mosquito Habitat Mapper, Land Cover, and Trees. Explore further opportunities to engage with NASA Citizen Science projects, which invite individuals from around the world to contribute to significant scientific discoveries, regardless of citizenship.
NESEC operates under NASA’s cooperative agreement award number NNX16AE28A and is integral to NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Discover how Science Activation amalgamates NASA science experts with community leaders to engage the public in science that enhances understanding of our planet and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn
Source
science.nasa.gov