Activities
Find tree-related activities to integrate into carts, demonstrations, classes and more.
Trees are among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Because of their size, complexity, and long life, trees provide a habitat, like an island, that rises far above the ground. Your goal in this study is to document the impact of a large tree on the environment of your school or community.
Tree Height Comparisons: A Hand-Held Clinometer vs. the NASA GLOBE Observer Trees Tool
Taking great measurements and observations of tree height is vital to the accuracy of the science, to the comparison of the data to that of ICESat-2 and GEDI, and to the understanding of local to global impacts of trees on the environment. The objective is to do a comparison of the tree height measurements using a hand-held paper clinometer versus the NASA GLOBE Observer Trees Tool for citizen science and to explain any differences between the two measurement methods.
Seeing Trees in 2D and 3D: A Demonstration of Forest Extent and Tree Height
This activity uses building bricks to explain the different ways that scientists study forests from space, and why it is important to have multiple types of data.
Build a paper clinometer with simple materials like a straw and a weight, like a paperclip or a washer, and use it to measure trees.
Observation Stations are typically 2' concrete stickers, from which citizen scientists can take observations using the GLOBE Observer app. Observing from a station provides additional information that allows our team to study things like change over time or the accuracy of the app. Download the template file and check out the Facilitator's Guide for guidance on customizing and placing your stations.
How to Build a GLOBE Clinometer
Constructing and Using a Clinometer: A clinometer is an instrument used for measuring angles. In GLOBE, you use it to find the angle for calculating tree heights.
Freeze/Thaw - The Breathing Boreal Forest
In this activity students play the role of coniferous trees. First they learn about seasonal freeze/thaw cycles and dormancy through a game of tag. Students then juggle complex environmental factors to try to survive a growing season in a changing climate. Connections between freeze/thaw cycles, photosynthesis and the global carbon cycle are explored.
Each participant discovers the length of her or his own individual pace (while one pace equals two steps) by taking ten paces three times and finding the average of those three trials. Then participants count paces to experience the distance of 50 meters.