The GIS project 'Virtual Pittsford' and GLOBE Globe
Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment

Last year at Workshop 6 our GIS project, "Virtual Pittsford" wasexplained. This year at Workshop 7, details about progress on the project will be presented. Two of us have been trained as GLOBE teachers and will be working with our students using math and science projects to corroborate environmental data from our region with Landsat satellite data. GLOBE stands for Globe Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment.
Students at Jefferson Road Elementary School participating in the GLOBE project are contributing their scientific measurements and observations along with other students around the world. Some of the data being collected and studied with the GLOBE project, especially the infrared, land cover, and soils data, may be useful to archaeologists. Schools all over the world are working with GLOBE scientists therefore it is possible for archaeologists in many countries to access and benefit from the data collected.
Students will select a study site near the school where they will take regular measurements of various atmospheric, hydrological, biological, and geological features. Global Positioning Satellite receiver skills will be learned. GLOBE provides the software program MultiSpec to allow for the investigation of satellite imaging. The images provided by the GLOBE program contain georeferencing data and can be used as a layer in a GIS program. Currently 30 meter by 30 meter pixels are being investigated but there are plans to use 10 meter by 10 meter pixels in the future. After the various measurements are recorded and image investigations and comparisons are made, students submit their data via the Internet.
TheGLOBE student data can be accessed at www.globe.gov.