*Important: The “Butterfly Space Rescue” RPG works best when combined with the following resources:

• Download the GLOBE Observer App here:

https://observer.globe.gov/about/get-the-app

• Then create an account on GLOBE.gov and use Referral Code: GLIDBQC5 to join the Butterfly Space Rescue GLOBE.gov RPG players team.

  A direct link to the team can be found here:

https://www.globe.gov/web/butterfly-space-rescue

*To join please use Referral Code: GLIDBQC5

• Bonus: Keep a copy of the card game deck handy and you can use the characters as avatars.

Butterflies Space Rescue: GLOBE Observer Edition

Prologue: The Butterfly Space Rescue team has been called to Earth to assist in monitoring the planet’s rapidly changing environment. By using advanced tools and their unique skills, the team will collect and analyze data on clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees to help humans better understand and protect their ecosystems.

Mission: Players follow the GLOBE Scientific Method to investigate specific environmental concerns, collecting data in the field and uploading it to the GLOBE Observer app. Their ultimate goal is to identify patterns and propose solutions for sustaining Earth’s fragile ecosystems.

Game Components:

1. Characters: Players select one of the alien explorers, each specializing in a different GLOBE Observer protocol:

• Crystal Moths: Experts in cloud identification and cover.

• Caterpillar Queens: Strategic leaders specializing in land cover mapping.

• Guardians of the Cocoon Kingdom: Focus on tree measurements and health.

• Quantum Butterflies: Analyze mosquito habitat data and correlations with local weather.

• Chrysalis Shamans: Connect all data streams and propose actionable conservation strategies.

2. Tools:

GLOBE Observer App: Used by players to upload data and compare it with global datasets.

3. Scientific Method Flow: Players follow the GLOBE.gov scientific method:

• 1. Ask Questions

• 2. Develop a Hypothesis

• 3. Plan the Investigation

• 4. Collect Data

• 5. Analyze Data

• 6. Draw Conclusions

• 7. Communicate Results

Gameplay and Story:

Step 1: Ask Questions

The Butterfly Space Rescue team arrives on Earth and identifies key environmental challenges based on their specialization.

Example Mission Questions:

• Clouds: “How does cloud cover affect local temperatures and weather patterns?”

• Mosquito Habitat: “Are water sources nearby contributing to mosquito populations?”

• Land Cover: “How are changes in vegetation affecting the local ecosystem?”

• Trees: “What is the impact of tree height and canopy health on biodiversity?”

Step 2: Develop Hypotheses

Players develop hypotheses tailored to their mission:

• Clouds: “Areas with more cumulus clouds will experience cooler daytime temperatures.”

• Mosquito Habitat: “Mosquito habitats will increase near standing water sources with vegetation.”

• Land Cover: “Deforested areas will have lower biodiversity compared to forested ones.”

• Trees: “Taller trees will correlate with higher levels of biodiversity.”

Step 3: Plan the Investigation

Players decide on a plan for data collection, using GLOBE Observer protocols:

• 1. Clouds: Take photos of the sky, identifying cloud types and estimating cloud cover percentages.

• 2. Mosquito Habitat Mapper: Photograph water sources, identify potential mosquito breeding sites, and test for larvae.

• 3. Land Cover: Take pictures of the landscape, identifying vegetation types, urban areas, and water features.

• 4. Trees: Measure tree height using the app’s AR tools and note canopy density

Step 4: Collect Data

Players head into the field to gather data, uploading observations directly to the GLOBE Observer app:

• Crystal Moths record cloud cover and types, noting how they change throughout the day.

• Guardians of the Cocoon Kingdom use the app’s AR tools to measure tree height and upload photos.

• Quantum Butterflies identify and map mosquito habitats, marking larvae locations and potential risks.

• Caterpillar Queens document land cover changes by photographing different landscapes.

Step 5: Analyze Data

After data collection, players analyze their findings:

1. Use the app to compare their data with GLOBE datasets, identifying trends or anomalies.

2. Discuss questions like:

• How does local cloud cover compare with regional trends?

• Are mosquito habitats linked to nearby weather patterns?

• What are the dominant land cover types in the area, and how have they changed over time?

• Are tree heights in the region consistent with GLOBE data?

Step 6: Draw Conclusions

Players interpret their findings, answering their original questions and revisiting their hypotheses. For example:

• Clouds: “Increased cloud cover correlates with cooler temperatures and higher humidity.”

• Mosquito Habitat: “Standing water with vegetation is more likely to host mosquito larvae.”

• Land Cover: “Urban areas have less vegetation, impacting local biodiversity.”

• Trees: “Regions with taller trees have more canopy cover and greater biodiversity.”

Step 7: Communicate Results

Players upload their final findings and reports to the GLOBE Observer app and share within the RPG:

• 1. Crystal Moths present a sky atlas with cloud observations.

• 2. Caterpillar Queens share a land cover map showing the distribution of vegetation and urban areas.

• 3. Quantum Butterflies present a mosquito habitat risk map.

• 4. Guardians of the Cocoon Kingdom share a forest health report, including tree height and canopy density.

Learning Outcomes:

This RPG helps players:

• Understand and apply the GLOBE.gov scientific method.

• Develop skills in data collection and analysis using the GLOBE Observer app.

• Explore the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems by analyzing clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees.

• Contribute to real-world citizen science while learning in a gamified environment.

Butterfly Space Rescue: GLOBE Observer RPG