5/1/01

Dear GLOBE School,

I would like to offer you the special opportunity to participate in
the implementation of a new soil temperature protocol, one that takes
advantage of relatively inexpensive and very simple data loggers
to collect data we might not otherwise have access to. I am making
this offer to schools that have demonstrated an interest in collecting
both air and soil temperature data.  In exchange
for agreeing to help collect and report this data over the next two
years, I will let you keep the data logging equipment that I send
to you ($200 value). I am particularly interested in getting these
new sensors installed before your summer vacation starts. This allows
us to use this data to supplement your regular summer data collection,
which is often difficult to maintain without a break.

Basically, I will need you to install a cluster of three soil
temperature probes and one air temperature probe at your atmospheric
station instrument shelter. Once installed, you will download the data
to a PC or MAC computer weekly and help me analyze your results. It
will be important to continue making regular air temperature and weekly
near-surface soil temperature measurements to compare with the automatic
data. Further, it is important to complete the soil characteristic
protocol for the top 50 cm of your soil profile. I would like you
to participate in this demonstration program for 24 months, if possible.

The four tasks that need to be completed before summer break are:
1) respond to this solicitation with the information requested,
2) dig a 50 cm hole on the sunny side of your instrument shelter,
3) install the data logger and sensors following our draft protocol,
4) send me one week of data before shifting to a summer schedule which
requires less frequent data transfers.

More information is available from my web site:

http://www.hwr.arizona.edu/globe/pilot/2000intro.html

This offer is open to any GLOBE school world-wide, although I am
trying to get a good distribution of sites.
I will accept requests to participate in this effort until I run out
of loggers (20 are ready to go - shipped the same week I hear from you).
Please drop me a short note
regarding your interest in this effort and your ability to participate.

Please respond to the following questions:

- What kind of computer will you use to download the data (PC or MAC)
  and model?

- How do you rate your (or a cooperative colleague's) technology skills?
  5=(Expert) 4 3=(can work with Windows) 2 1=(Novice)

- Do you have the manual dial soil thermometer?

- Do your students already work with spreadsheets?
  Are you able to integrate spreadsheet analysis into your curriculum?

- Do you have any prior experience with data loggers or automated
  equipment?

- What is your mailing address for shipping the equipment?


     ----------------------- Cheers ----------------- 
  Jim Washburne    GLOBE Soil Moisture Scientist/ jwash@hwr.arizona.edu 
                   Department of Hydrology and Water Resources 
                 Harshbarger Bldg. #11, Rm 238  OR  P.O. Box 210011 
                   University of Arizona,  Tucson, AZ 85721-0011 
                   520 626-4107 (Off);   520 621-1422 (FAX)