NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Scientists are working every day to study and respond to the problems caused by Earth's changing climate. But students like you will soon take on these problems using the latest tools and technology. Three up-and-coming scientists -- Gwyneth Glissmann, Alex Heeb and Scott Elder -- are already off to a fast start.

Glissmann, Heeb and Elder are the authors of recent studies that used creative thinking and NASA satellite data to better understand Earth's changing climate. Each is a recent recipient of the Thacher Scholars Award. The award is given annually by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, or IGES, to students in grades 9-12 showing the best use of data and technology to study Earth.

This image shows the arctic sea ice extent as of July 14, 2009. The white area shows the area of ocean covered with at least 15 percent ice. Glissmann used similar data in her project to show that arctic sea ice is decreasing faster than predicted by climate models. Image Credit: NSDIC

Glissmann, from Boulder, Colo., won second place and $1,000 in the 2009 Thacher contest. She used data from NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites to show that arctic sea ice is decreasing faster than predicted by climate models. She found that the ice could disappear by 2035, which agrees with projections made by NOAA.

In the same study, Glissmann found that the amount of solar radiation hitting the Arctic Ocean surface was not related to the amount of sea ice melt. This finding suggests that floating reflective platforms on the ocean surface would not help to reduce ice melt.

"Through my project, I learned that science requires not only perseverance but also passion, enthusiasm, curiosity and the willingness to learn," said Glissmann, a 12th-grader during the 2008-09 school year. "No matter who you are, whether you are a Nobel Prize winner or a graduate student ... there is always something new to learn."

Heeb, from Chaffee, Mo., earned third place and $500 in the 2009 Thacher contest. His study showed an increase in people visiting three southeast Missouri hospitals for breathing problems on days when air pollution levels were higher because of crop fires. To carry out the study, Heeb used data from NASA and NOAA satellites to help locate fires. He also used aerial photos and measured pollution with a portable monitor.

"While the project was difficult, it was also a great deal of fun," said Heeb, a 12th-grader during the 2008-09 school year. "Racing towards towering columns of smoke, I felt as though I was a storm chaser."

Elder, from Chino Hills, Calif., won second place and $1,000 in both the 2007 and 2008 Thacher contests. In his 2008 winning entry, Elder used NASA and IKONOS satellite images to study creeks in the Chino Hills watershed. The images showed the size, flow and vegetation of the creeks. They also helped to identify locations from which to collect water samples. Water sample tests showed the effects of pollution on the water.

Elder recently finished his first year of college. He says the Thacher contest and working with NASA data helped him decide to major in environmental geography. "The classes I'm taking ... focus on the environment as a whole, and in the back of my mind I always have the different satellite images of Earth I learned about from NASA while working on my Thacher projects," Elder said.

For more information about the Thacher Scholars Award and past winners, visit http://www.strategies.org/ThacherScholars.


Dan Stillman, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies