During one week in May, students around the world will be gathering data that shows how proximity to the equator affects average daily temperature and hours of sunlight. In an Internet-based project called The Global Sun Temperature Project, students will determine their latitude and longitude coordinates, measure and record temperature and minutes of daylight, calculate averages, plot and analyze data, draw conclusions based on raw data, and share their results. Students will also have the opportunity to interact with other students from around the world and study their geographic location, environment, and culture.

Instructions for participation, lesson plans, and resources for all grade levels are available at the site. The project is designed for upper elementary, middle school and high school students. There is no fee to participate, but schools are asked to register. Registration closes May 9. Data collection takes place during the week of May 12-16. Optional geography and language arts activities are provided for use before the data collection begins. The project ends in mid-June.

The project is sponsored by the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE), Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey. CIESE offers a number of interdisciplinary, collaborative projects that teachers throughout the world can use to enhance their curriculum through use of real-time data from the Internet.