Welcome to NOAA's virtual booth at the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference offsite link. NOAA is a 2021 Kilobyte Sponsor offsite link of this conference. Explore this collection of resources and information about our agency and programs.
Terry McTigue presents ocean current data on the Science on a Sphere (SOS) to a group of children and adults attending the 2019 NOAA Open House in Silver Spring, MD. (Image credit: NOAA/Stephen Zepecki)
Visit us in our booth during the exhibit hall hours offsite link to chat live with NOAA staff!
Climate.gov
The federal climate portal is a one-stop-shop for your climate teaching needs! This climate education portal was built so both formal and informal educators can incorporate climate science into their classes and programs. Search within the “Teaching Climate” tab to find rigorously reviewed educational resources around energy and climate topics and foster a community that supports learning about climate and energy topics from the CLEAN portal offsite link.
Environmental Literacy Program (ELP) Resilience Hub
NOAA’s Environmental Literacy Program (ELP) maintains a website for NOAA-related resilience resources. This site includes the recently published ELP Community Resilience Education Theory of Change and resilient community coloring page. You can peruse the agency's resilience-related assets, and explore ELP-funded resilience projects past and present. NOAA recently announced eight new awards, receiving a total of $3.5 million, that will continue to build foundations for resilient communities through education.
NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET)
The NOAA B-WET program funds relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 students and educators through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs are multistage activities that include learning both outdoors and in the classroom and aim to increase understanding and stewardship of watersheds and related ecosystems. Whether working with students directly or providing professional development to educators, B-WET grants empower students to investigate local and global environmental issues that affect their lives, choices, and communities.
NOAA Ocean Today
Ocean Today is a multimedia kiosk that features videos on all aspects of the ocean realm -- exploration and discoveries, marine life and science. It was originally designed for the Sant Ocean Hall in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History which opened in September 2008. Due to the popularity of the videos, Ocean Today kiosks are now located in dozens of aquariums, museums, and learning centers throughout the world. Visitors to the Ocean Today can find local institutions that host an Ocean Today exhibit, as well as view an online archive of kiosk media.
Science On a Sphere® and SOS Explorer®
Researchers at NOAA developed Science On a Sphere® as an educational tool to increase public understanding of the environment. Using NOAA's collective experience and knowledge of the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere, Science On a Sphere® is an instrument that enhances informal educational programs in science centers, universities, and museums throughout the United States and other countries. SOS Explorer® is a free, downloadable mobile version of Science On a Sphere®.
Science On a Sphere Users Collaborative Network Workshop
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NOAA will host the Science On a Sphere® (SOS) Users Collaborative Network Workshop in a virtual platform from December 1-3, 2020. The pandemic has heightened awareness of the fact that we’re living in a globally connected society and how the actions of one place affect the well-being of another place. SOS is arguably, one of the best tools for promoting global perspectives. The workshop will showcase presentations submitted from participants with a focus on the use of spherical display systems for providing science educational messages.