Patrick Cullis, NOAA scientist, surrounded by a sea of enthusiastic children outside the NOAA Boulder building. Boulder's scenic backdrop enhances the enchantment as they eagerly observe the balloon launch, fostering a love for science in young hearts.

 

Patrick Cullis, NOAA scientist and the maestro of curiosity, prepares a balloon for launch, captivating young minds with the magic of science. Their eager anticipation is a testament to the excitement of witnessing science in action!

  (Image credit: Sarah Venema)

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Fiscal Year 2024 NOAA Education Implementation Plan

Image credit: Sarah Venema
Overview
Goal 1: Science-Informed Society
Goal 2: Conservation and Stewardship
Goal 3: Ready, Responsive, Resilient
Goal 4: Future Workforce
Goal 5: Organizational Excellence

Overview

Learn what NOAA Education programs are up to in fiscal year 2024.

Goal 1: Science-Informed Society

An informed society has access to, interest in, and understanding of NOAA-related sciences and their implications for current and future events.

Goal 2: Conservation and Stewardship

Individuals and communities are actively involved in stewardship behaviors and decisions that conserve, restore, and protect natural and cultural resources related to NOAA’s mission.

Goal 3: Ready, Responsive, Resilient

Individuals and communities are ready, responsive, and resilient to the increasing challenges and impacts of hazardous weather, changes in climate, and other environmental threats monitored by NOAA.

Goal 4: Future Workforce

A diverse and highly skilled future workforce pursues careers in disciplines that support NOAA’s mission.

Goal 5: Organizational Excellence

NOAA functions in a unified manner to support, plan, and deliver effective educational programs and partnerships that advance NOAA’s mission.

Each fiscal year, NOAA Education programs identify priority strategies that support the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan. This effort is led by the NOAA Education Council, a forum of representatives from NOAA’s major education programs. Council members represent NOAA line offices, staff offices, and programs with education activities authorized by statute.

About this plan

The Fiscal Year 2024 NOAA Education Implementation Plan identifies the strategies that NOAA Education programs will implement this year to support the goals and objectives of the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan.

In fall of 2023, Council members and the NOAA education community revised a core set of implementation strategies that support the strategic plan’s goals and objectives. Each strategy describes the planned activities for the upcoming fiscal year. By using this framework of implementation strategies, we capture changes to activities as they are implemented and responses to external or unplanned events through the year.

As a community, we will develop a shared understanding of our collective effort over the next year. We will also focus on areas of community concern: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); partnerships, evaluation; and community empowerment. From these discussions, more refinement of strategies and key results may be developed. 

Throughout fiscal year 2024, Council members will participate in evaluation consultations to monitor any progress on and update their program strategies and planned activities. This process will be overseen by the NOAA Education Council Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. At the end of fiscal year 2024, we will summarize our implementation outcomes in an internal report to the Council.

Objective 1.1. Youth and adults from all backgrounds engage with NOAA-related sciences through education and outreach opportunities.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Boulder will provide outreach opportunities to youth, adults, and educators.
  • NOAA Hawaiʻi will provide formal and informal education opportunities to students, youth, and adults.
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service Education

  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will participate in science outreach events for students, educators, and the public.
  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will develop and disseminate science resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will participate in science outreach events for youth and adults.
  • National Ocean Service will develop and disseminate science resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
National Sea Grant College Program

  • Sea Grant will participate in outreach events on readiness, responsiveness, and resilience for youth and adults.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide formal and informal science education opportunities for students, youth, and adults in both virtual and in-person formats.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will develop and disseminate marine debris resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will develop and disseminate online science resources designed for youth and adults.
NOAA Research Education

  • NOAA Research will provide formal and informal science education opportunities.
  • NOAA Research will develop and disseminate online science resources designed for youth and adults.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will support the integration of citizen science into education projects through grant-funded projects.
  • Office of Education will support external science education competitions for youth.
  • Office of Education will create, disseminate, and promote education products and opportunities to increase NOAA public awareness and communicate the value of NOAA Education.
  • Science on a Sphere program will develop and disseminate new SOS products to education users.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will provide formal science education opportunities for students.
  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will provide informal science education opportunities for youth and adults.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service will develop and disseminate weather science and safety resources, ensuring focus on local communities and vulnerable populations.

Objective 1.2. Formal and informal educators from all backgrounds integrate NOAA-related sciences into their teaching and programs.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Hawai‘i will deliver professional development opportunities for educators.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office and partners will deliver and support professional development on climate science and solutions for educators.
  • Climate Program Office will develop and disseminate climate and education resources to educators.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will support professional development of formal and informal educators through programs and networks.
  • National Ocean Service will assess the multimedia, distance learning, and educational resource needs of educators.
National Sea Grant College Program Education

  • Sea Grant will develop and provide curriculum and other resources to P-12 formal and informal educators.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will fund grantees to provide professional development around Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for educators.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will deliver professional development opportunities for educators.
  • NOAA Fisheries will develop and disseminate science resources designed for educators and offer these resources in multiple languages.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will deliver nationwide educator professional development programming on Ocean Exploration sciences and resources.
  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will develop and disseminate science educator resources through the Ocean Explorer website.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

  • Teacher at Sea Program will recruit, select, and coordinate teachers for research experiences aboard NOAA vessels.
  • Teacher at Sea Program will support alumni through workshops and other opportunities.
Office for Coastal Management

  • National Estuarine Research Reserve System will provide and improve Teachers on the Estuary workshops for educators.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will deliver professional development opportunities and resources for educators.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide weather science and safety presentations, consultations, and education expertise for educators.

Objective 1.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen science, education, and outreach initiatives.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Hawaiʻi will work with partner organizations to host exhibits and displays.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will advance climate education and engagement at the federal, national, and international levels.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will support grantees and partners to provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for students and youth.
  • Bay Watershed Education and Training program will build capacity of the educational community in states and school districts to be prepared to implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will work with science centers, museums, and aquariums to host fisheries exhibits and programming.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will work with partner organizations to host exhibits and displays about marine debris at partner sites.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will work with partner organizations to integrate NOAA’s science assets into education.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration will support partner organizations to integrate Ocean Exploration science and education assets.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Environmental Literacy Program will work with partner organizations to integrate NOAA's science and education assets.
  • Office of Education will work with Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers network to share lessons learned and promote the use of best practices.
  • Science on a Sphere program will support education users to ensure timely integration of NOAA's science and education assets.

Objective 2.1. Youth and adults, particularly from underserved groups, understand and apply conservation and stewardship in their lives and communities.

Office of the Under Secretary

  • The Office of the Under Secretary will offer programming for high school students that uplifts their voices and empowers them to take environmental actions.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will provide education projects and outreach.
Office for Coastal Management

  • National Estuarine Research Reserve System will deliver environmental action programs and improve the approach used.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers network will provide resources and informal ocean stewardship action opportunities for youth.

Objective 2.2. Formal and informal educators with diverse backgrounds integrate conservation and stewardship into their teaching and programs.

National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will work with and support partners and educators to integrate conservation and stewardship initiatives and implement stewardship action projects.

Objective 2.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen conservation and stewardship initiatives.

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will support formal education systems with student-driven conservation and stewardship programs and resources.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will work with partner organizations to implement seafood literacy initiatives.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will will support grantees to provide formal and informal marine debris education.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will continue to support Ocean Guardian Schools with stewardship programs and resources.

Objective 3.1. Youth and adults, particularly from underserved groups, understand the environmental hazards facing their communities and act to increase their community resilience.

National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide formal and informal education opportunities on weather science and safety for students, focusing on engaging minority-serving and vulnerable populations in becoming ready, responsive, and resilient.

Objective 3.2. Formal and informal educators with diverse backgrounds integrate environmental hazards and resilience into their teaching and programs.

No implementation strategies planned for FY 2024

Objective 3.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen environmental hazards- and resilience-related initiatives.

Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will build and sustain productive partnerships through grants and community engagement to promote public climate literacy and empowerment.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Environmental Literacy Program will work with grantees to advance community resilience education.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will work with partners to integrate NOAA's readiness, responsiveness, and resilience assets (including training and education) and to engage minority-serving and vulnerable populations

Objective 4.1. Students, particularly from underrepresented groups, become aware of and interested in education and career pathways in NOAA mission disciplines.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • Student Opportunity Community of Practice will coordinate and provide resources to NOAA Educators, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and Sea Grant Educators Network.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide career interest programs and disseminate career awareness resources.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will provide career development programming and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will promote career and student opportunities for students and recent graduates.

Objective 4.2. Students, particularly from underrepresented groups, explore and prepare for careers in NOAA mission disciplines.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Boulder will provide students opportunities and outreach to develop career skills.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will support postsecondary students and program alumni with scholarships, fellowships and other program activities.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will work with partner organizations to provide opportunities and career exposure for students from communities that are underrepresented in NOAA mission fields.
National Sea Grant College Program Education

  • Sea Grant will provide scholarships and fellowships to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide internships, scholarships, and fellowships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will host work-based learning for undergraduates and graduate students.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will provide training and internships to undergraduate and graduate students.
NOAA Research Education

  • NOAA Research will host work-based learning for undergraduates and graduate students.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will provide internships with NOAA mentors, scholarships, and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will work with minority serving institutions and other partners to increase opportunities for students and build institutional capacity to offer degrees in NOAA-related fields.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will support the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, along with paid internships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide work-based learning opportunities to students, with a special emphasis on minority, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations.

Objective 4.3. Graduates, particularly from underrepresented groups, enter the NOAA mission workforce.

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service Education

  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will monitor and facilitate early career hiring into NESDIS workforce.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will work with Office of Human Capital Services and line offices to support agency-wide recruitment efforts, particularly underrepresented minority applicants.

Objective 5.1. The NOAA Education community works together to better serve all educational audiences.

NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will support the continued development of the Climate Education Community of Practice.
  • Education Council will improve its support of community-building among Education Council members.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Citizen Science Community of Practice will facilitate NOAA educators and researchers to collaborate across programs and offices.

Objective 5.2. The NOAA Education community is strategic, coordinated, and continually improving.

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will improve monitoring and evaluation of education programs.
NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will develop strategic and implementation plans.
  • Education Council will monitor and evaluate the portfolio of education programs.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will communicate with Congress the impact of NOAA education programs.
  • Environmental Literacy Program will improve its performance monitoring and analysis of resilience education projects.
  • Office of Education will communicate the impact of NOAA education programs.

Objective 5.3. The NOAA Education community advances diversity, equity, and inclusion within our programs.

NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access to educational resources and opportunities.
NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will develop and implement diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility policies that identifies and removes barriers to inclusion.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will lead NOAA’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Grantmaking working group.
Page 1 of 6
Overview
Learn what NOAA Education programs are up to in fiscal year 2024.

Each fiscal year, NOAA Education programs identify priority strategies that support the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan. This effort is led by the NOAA Education Council, a forum of representatives from NOAA’s major education programs. Council members represent NOAA line offices, staff offices, and programs with education activities authorized by statute.

About this plan

The Fiscal Year 2024 NOAA Education Implementation Plan identifies the strategies that NOAA Education programs will implement this year to support the goals and objectives of the 2021-2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan.

In fall of 2023, Council members and the NOAA education community revised a core set of implementation strategies that support the strategic plan’s goals and objectives. Each strategy describes the planned activities for the upcoming fiscal year. By using this framework of implementation strategies, we capture changes to activities as they are implemented and responses to external or unplanned events through the year.

As a community, we will develop a shared understanding of our collective effort over the next year. We will also focus on areas of community concern: diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); partnerships, evaluation; and community empowerment. From these discussions, more refinement of strategies and key results may be developed. 

Throughout fiscal year 2024, Council members will participate in evaluation consultations to monitor any progress on and update their program strategies and planned activities. This process will be overseen by the NOAA Education Council Monitoring and Evaluation Committee. At the end of fiscal year 2024, we will summarize our implementation outcomes in an internal report to the Council.

Page 2 of 6
Goal 1: Science-Informed Society
An informed society has access to, interest in, and understanding of NOAA-related sciences and their implications for current and future events.

Objective 1.1. Youth and adults from all backgrounds engage with NOAA-related sciences through education and outreach opportunities.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Boulder will provide outreach opportunities to youth, adults, and educators.
  • NOAA Hawaiʻi will provide formal and informal education opportunities to students, youth, and adults.
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service Education

  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will participate in science outreach events for students, educators, and the public.
  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will develop and disseminate science resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will participate in science outreach events for youth and adults.
  • National Ocean Service will develop and disseminate science resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
National Sea Grant College Program

  • Sea Grant will participate in outreach events on readiness, responsiveness, and resilience for youth and adults.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide formal and informal science education opportunities for students, youth, and adults in both virtual and in-person formats.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will develop and disseminate marine debris resources designed for youth, adults, and educators.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will develop and disseminate online science resources designed for youth and adults.
NOAA Research Education

  • NOAA Research will provide formal and informal science education opportunities.
  • NOAA Research will develop and disseminate online science resources designed for youth and adults.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will support the integration of citizen science into education projects through grant-funded projects.
  • Office of Education will support external science education competitions for youth.
  • Office of Education will create, disseminate, and promote education products and opportunities to increase NOAA public awareness and communicate the value of NOAA Education.
  • Science on a Sphere program will develop and disseminate new SOS products to education users.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will provide formal science education opportunities for students.
  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will provide informal science education opportunities for youth and adults.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service will develop and disseminate weather science and safety resources, ensuring focus on local communities and vulnerable populations.

Objective 1.2. Formal and informal educators from all backgrounds integrate NOAA-related sciences into their teaching and programs.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Hawai‘i will deliver professional development opportunities for educators.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office and partners will deliver and support professional development on climate science and solutions for educators.
  • Climate Program Office will develop and disseminate climate and education resources to educators.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will support professional development of formal and informal educators through programs and networks.
  • National Ocean Service will assess the multimedia, distance learning, and educational resource needs of educators.
National Sea Grant College Program Education

  • Sea Grant will develop and provide curriculum and other resources to P-12 formal and informal educators.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will fund grantees to provide professional development around Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for educators.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will deliver professional development opportunities for educators.
  • NOAA Fisheries will develop and disseminate science resources designed for educators and offer these resources in multiple languages.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will deliver nationwide educator professional development programming on Ocean Exploration sciences and resources.
  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will develop and disseminate science educator resources through the Ocean Explorer website.
NOAA Teacher at Sea Program

  • Teacher at Sea Program will recruit, select, and coordinate teachers for research experiences aboard NOAA vessels.
  • Teacher at Sea Program will support alumni through workshops and other opportunities.
Office for Coastal Management

  • National Estuarine Research Reserve System will provide and improve Teachers on the Estuary workshops for educators.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will deliver professional development opportunities and resources for educators.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide weather science and safety presentations, consultations, and education expertise for educators.

Objective 1.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen science, education, and outreach initiatives.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Hawaiʻi will work with partner organizations to host exhibits and displays.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will advance climate education and engagement at the federal, national, and international levels.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will support grantees and partners to provide Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences for students and youth.
  • Bay Watershed Education and Training program will build capacity of the educational community in states and school districts to be prepared to implement Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will work with science centers, museums, and aquariums to host fisheries exhibits and programming.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will work with partner organizations to host exhibits and displays about marine debris at partner sites.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will work with partner organizations to integrate NOAA’s science assets into education.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration will support partner organizations to integrate Ocean Exploration science and education assets.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Environmental Literacy Program will work with partner organizations to integrate NOAA's science and education assets.
  • Office of Education will work with Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers network to share lessons learned and promote the use of best practices.
  • Science on a Sphere program will support education users to ensure timely integration of NOAA's science and education assets.
Page 3 of 6
Goal 2: Conservation and Stewardship
Individuals and communities are actively involved in stewardship behaviors and decisions that conserve, restore, and protect natural and cultural resources related to NOAA’s mission.

Objective 2.1. Youth and adults, particularly from underserved groups, understand and apply conservation and stewardship in their lives and communities.

Office of the Under Secretary

  • The Office of the Under Secretary will offer programming for high school students that uplifts their voices and empowers them to take environmental actions.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will provide education projects and outreach.
Office for Coastal Management

  • National Estuarine Research Reserve System will deliver environmental action programs and improve the approach used.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers network will provide resources and informal ocean stewardship action opportunities for youth.

Objective 2.2. Formal and informal educators with diverse backgrounds integrate conservation and stewardship into their teaching and programs.

National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will work with and support partners and educators to integrate conservation and stewardship initiatives and implement stewardship action projects.

Objective 2.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen conservation and stewardship initiatives.

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will support formal education systems with student-driven conservation and stewardship programs and resources.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will work with partner organizations to implement seafood literacy initiatives.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will will support grantees to provide formal and informal marine debris education.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will continue to support Ocean Guardian Schools with stewardship programs and resources.
Page 4 of 6
Goal 3: Ready, Responsive, Resilient
Individuals and communities are ready, responsive, and resilient to the increasing challenges and impacts of hazardous weather, changes in climate, and other environmental threats monitored by NOAA.

Objective 3.1. Youth and adults, particularly from underserved groups, understand the environmental hazards facing their communities and act to increase their community resilience.

National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide formal and informal education opportunities on weather science and safety for students, focusing on engaging minority-serving and vulnerable populations in becoming ready, responsive, and resilient.

Objective 3.2. Formal and informal educators with diverse backgrounds integrate environmental hazards and resilience into their teaching and programs.

No implementation strategies planned for FY 2024

Objective 3.3. Organizations partner with NOAA to strengthen environmental hazards- and resilience-related initiatives.

Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will build and sustain productive partnerships through grants and community engagement to promote public climate literacy and empowerment.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Environmental Literacy Program will work with grantees to advance community resilience education.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will work with partners to integrate NOAA's readiness, responsiveness, and resilience assets (including training and education) and to engage minority-serving and vulnerable populations
Page 5 of 6
Goal 4: Future Workforce
A diverse and highly skilled future workforce pursues careers in disciplines that support NOAA’s mission.

Objective 4.1. Students, particularly from underrepresented groups, become aware of and interested in education and career pathways in NOAA mission disciplines.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • Student Opportunity Community of Practice will coordinate and provide resources to NOAA Educators, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and Sea Grant Educators Network.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide career interest programs and disseminate career awareness resources.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will provide career development programming and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will promote career and student opportunities for students and recent graduates.

Objective 4.2. Students, particularly from underrepresented groups, explore and prepare for careers in NOAA mission disciplines.

Cross-NOAA activities

  • NOAA Boulder will provide students opportunities and outreach to develop career skills.
Climate Program Office

  • Climate Program Office will support postsecondary students and program alumni with scholarships, fellowships and other program activities.
National Ocean Service Education

  • National Ocean Service will work with partner organizations to provide opportunities and career exposure for students from communities that are underrepresented in NOAA mission fields.
National Sea Grant College Program Education

  • Sea Grant will provide scholarships and fellowships to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
NOAA Fisheries Education

  • NOAA Fisheries will provide internships, scholarships, and fellowships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students.
NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

  • Ocean Acidification Program will host work-based learning for undergraduates and graduate students.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Education

  • NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners will provide training and internships to undergraduate and graduate students.
NOAA Research Education

  • NOAA Research will host work-based learning for undergraduates and graduate students.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will provide internships with NOAA mentors, scholarships, and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will work with minority serving institutions and other partners to increase opportunities for students and build institutional capacity to offer degrees in NOAA-related fields.
Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

  • Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will support the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, along with paid internships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students.
National Weather Service Education

  • National Weather Service Field Offices will provide work-based learning opportunities to students, with a special emphasis on minority, underrepresented, and vulnerable populations.

Objective 4.3. Graduates, particularly from underrepresented groups, enter the NOAA mission workforce.

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service Education

  • National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service will monitor and facilitate early career hiring into NESDIS workforce.
Office of Education: Higher Education

  • Office of Education Higher Education programs will work with Office of Human Capital Services and line offices to support agency-wide recruitment efforts, particularly underrepresented minority applicants.
Page 6 of 6
Goal 5: Organizational Excellence
NOAA functions in a unified manner to support, plan, and deliver effective educational programs and partnerships that advance NOAA’s mission.

Objective 5.1. The NOAA Education community works together to better serve all educational audiences.

NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will support the continued development of the Climate Education Community of Practice.
  • Education Council will improve its support of community-building among Education Council members.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Citizen Science Community of Practice will facilitate NOAA educators and researchers to collaborate across programs and offices.

Objective 5.2. The NOAA Education community is strategic, coordinated, and continually improving.

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

  • Bay Watershed Education and Training Program will improve monitoring and evaluation of education programs.
NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will develop strategic and implementation plans.
  • Education Council will monitor and evaluate the portfolio of education programs.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will communicate with Congress the impact of NOAA education programs.
  • Environmental Literacy Program will improve its performance monitoring and analysis of resilience education projects.
  • Office of Education will communicate the impact of NOAA education programs.

Objective 5.3. The NOAA Education community advances diversity, equity, and inclusion within our programs.

NOAA Marine Debris Program Education

  • Marine Debris Program will advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and access to educational resources and opportunities.
NOAA Education Council

  • Education Council will develop and implement diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility policies that identifies and removes barriers to inclusion.
Office of Education: K-12 and Informal Education

  • Office of Education will lead NOAA’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Grantmaking working group.