All the World's a Stage...

... Or, more appropriately, all the world's a lectern for Carolyn Green ('63), whose "classroom" includes 32 countries and 420 schools.

After 24 years of teaching primarily earth science at the high school level, Green was hired by Science Applications International Corporation, a NASA contractor, as an educational consultant for NASA's CERES S'COOL project at the Langley Research Center in Hampton.

Students' Cloud Observations On-Line is a project that involves school children around the world, who provide basic weather observations when the CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) satellite passes over their area. Scientists use the satellite to study the way clouds affect the earth's climate.

"The students' observations are used to validate what the satellite sees," says Green. "It's an integral part of the research being done by NASA's CERES team."

Green develops educational materials, edits a quarterly newsletter, and presents S'COOL workshops at national and international conferences. Her travels have taken her around the world, including trips to Germany, France and Australia to visit new schools and promote the S'COOL project and to explain how it can be used effectively in the classroom.

The worldwide project also has some effect on international relations among students and teachers. "I think that the S'COOL project is a great way to bring the world's children together," says Green. "Teachers and students from around the globe have let us know that they consider it a privilege to 'work' for NASA on this important project, where scientists are trying to understand what effect clouds have on the earth's radiation balance. And, I consider it an added bonus to still be a part of the educational community."

Green lives in Newport News with husband Richard, a senior NASA research analyst. Their daughters, Robin G. Lewis ('87), Shelby G. Roberts ('89) and Peggy G. Driver ('90) as well as a son-law, Ken Driver ('89), are JMU alumni.