The Watch – June 3, 2020


Image Banner

News you can use from NOAA Planet Stewards 

"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean." 

- Arthur C. Clarke

      Planet Stewards Education Program Links

      Did a colleague or friend share this copy of The Watch with you? 
      Thank them, then sign them up to receive it! - See above!

news

Planet Stewards jpg

This month NOAA Planet Stewards is reviewing hands-on action proposals submitted by educators from across the country who have been participating in our Stewardship Community for the last six months. Working in small groups with peer leaders, their proposals focus on decreasing the sources/impacts of marine debris, restoring essential coastal, wetland, estuarine, or riverine habitats, and reducing carbon footprints/increasing carbon sequestration. Funded educators will receive up to $2500 to carry out their projects in their schools and communities over the next academic year. You can read more about projects funded by NOAA Planet Stewards in the 2016 and the 2019 editions of The Earth Scientist. We welcome all educators reading this go to the NOAA Planet Stewards Website, learn more about this great opportunity, and consider applying starting in the fall of 2020.

Countdown

SPOTLIGHT: NOAA'S 30 DAYS OF OCEAN CAMPAIGN

Each June, NOAA celebrates our ocean with its  #30DaysofOcean campaign. NOAA’s Ocean Facts can help you answer the essential question: How many oceans are there? But what else do you know about the ocean? Watch the video and learn all about the Ocean on NOAA’s 30 Days of Ocean website, which will be covering one theme each week for the entire month of June! Then, use NOAA Ocean Service educational content  to celebrate our blue planet! 

This year, World Ocean Day is being celebrated on June 8th, 2020, and calls on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. Check out events and resources here.

NOAA’s 30 Days of Ocean themes are:

  •  OCEAN HEALTH! (June 1-6)
  • OCEAN TRIVIA! (June 7-13) Get ready to test your ocean trivia knowledge!
  •  OCEAN LIFE! (June 14-20) Master everything from bioluminescence to how many species live in the ocean? . (Turtle Week starts on June 16!)
  • OCEAN SCIENCE! (June 21-30) What is sonar? What does an oceanographer do? And... why is the ocean salty? The reasons you uncover may surprise you! 

And that’s not all! NOAA Ocean Explorer is hosting a digital celebration of our Blue Planet through images, videos, and talks from the field. Check them out here!

 

30 DAY OCEAN VIDEO

FIVE: Marine Life Counts

Oean

Celebrate Oceans with this podcast that explores the ocean, home to millions of different forms of life - yet we know surprisingly little about the creatures that live right along our shores, how they interact with each other, or how they're changing as their environment changes. Hear how the U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network aims to change that. Using tools to better understand what these changes tell us about ocean health over time.


FOUR: Shipwrecks & Sanctuaries

June 5, 2020, Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Join Ocean Today as it takes you on an expedition that deploys robots and lasers to explore sunken war ships! Educators and curious kids of all ages, are welcomed to join in. Featured speakers are NOAA maritime archaeologists, Joseph Hoyt and Stephanie Gandulla who will take you on an exciting virtual field trip into the depths - and our past.

deep coral

THREE: NOAA Live! Webinar: From Training to Underwater Exploration: Take a Deep Dive with the NOAA Diving Center, June 8th,  9-10 AM MDT

NOAA invites you to join with the NOAA Diving Center in Seattle, WA and NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, MI to find out about being a NOAA diver!  The NOAA Diving Center trains scientists how to work safely underwater then to go into the field and collect data in cool locations. Thunder Bay will highlight the projects and science conducted by NOAA divers in the Great Lakes.  Register Today!

diver

TWO: Connect Live with National Marine Sanctuaries and Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants

These live events,  broadcast through Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, connect viewers with NOAA National Marine Sanctuary experts in research, education, and exploration.

National Marine Sanctuaries

ONE: It’s Summer! Learn about Seasonal Safety from NOAA

NOAA’s National Weather Service launches its Summer Seasonal Safety Campaign  this month on the first day of meteorological summer! Best of all, the safety resources are available for the deaf & hard of hearing. Please share the wealth!

safety

Love to learn about NOAA, its science, and programs? Check out Upcoming webinars from OneNOAA Seminar Series and send an email to OneNOAA science seminars - request@list.woc.noaa.gov with the word 'subscribe' in the subject or body.

When available, recordings of OneNOAA science seminars are posted here

Educator opportunities

Develop Educational Materials for SECOORA - Funding Opportunity!

SECOORA

The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) is the coastal and ocean observing system for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. It is seeking proposals for the development of online K-12 marine science curricula and/or activities that can be implemented by parents, teachers, and other educators. This award value is $8,500. Proposals are due June 18, 2020 at 5 PM ET. Click here for a PDF of the Request for Proposals.


Professional Development Opportunity: Stay-in-stitute for Climate Change, July 22-24

Stay in-stitute

Climate Generation, The Wild Center's Youth Climate Program and NOAA’s Climate Office have joined forces to organize the Stay-In-stitute –  a virtual training on climate change education! Gain the skills, tools, and resources to teach climate change concepts and empower students in all subject areas, and receive ongoing support throughout the year. During the 3-day institute, participants will explore their own neighborhoods and towns to practice data collection and explore local climate solutions. Registration is $150 but scholarships and Continuing Education hours are available. Learn more and register.


Courses Online From National Geographic - Starting 6/24/2020

national geo courses

National Geographic offers free online professional learning courses for educators. The course "Teaching Global Climate Change in Your Classroom" integrates scientific content and pedagogical practices that are important for teaching global climate change at the middle school level. Learn how scientific modeling can be used to help your students' understanding of climate change.  Registration is now open for courses starting on June 24th.


The National Marine Educators Association brings you Current

Currents

NMEA is excited to bring you this special issue of Current featuring Polar Interdisciplinary Coordinated Education (Polar-ICE). In this special issue, you’ll find a variety of engaging articles and activities addressing the Polar Regions and why it’s vital that students and educators understand these critical polar environments and the global climate system. Access this special issue of Current here —happy reading!


Professional Development Webinar: Plastics or Planet? Moving Beyond Plastics, Thursday, June 4pm, 1 pm EDT

fish

This webinar will explore the environmental, economic, and health implications of plastic production, use, and disposal and will discuss: 1) the nexus of climate change and plastic production and why we can’t recycle our way out of the problem, 2) the potential impacts of double production and how the marine debris community can respond, 3) the latest plastic reduction laws, and 4) the new federal bill – the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act. Register here....


Professional Development Webinar:

Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries: Diving into Telepresence Education Programs and Resources

telepresense webinar

June 16, 2020 at 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Much of the ocean remains unexplored, even areas of your national marine sanctuaries have still not been seen by humans. NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries works with partners to expand its understanding of sanctuaries through deep-water exploration and research. They bring these excursions to you through real-time video feeds and programs. Through this webinar, learn how you and your students can become virtual explorers in national marine sanctuaries and how to further bring the expedition into the classroom through our education resources. Register for the webinar here.


Professional Development Webinar: Notorious & Delicious: Exploring Sustainable Seafood,   July 9, 2020 at 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern

sustainable food in heart shape

James Beard Award Winning Chef, Allen Susser, is on a mission to motivate people to eat Sustainable Seafood, which rewards them with a delicious meal and benefits the ocean’s health today and into the future. His cooking lessons could be a unique way to educate your audiences and students on sustainable seafood. Join the discussion of sustainability, which like all good fish tales, is growing greater each day. Register for the webinar here.

Student opportunities

Webinar for Students: Virtual Celebrations From MarineQuest at the University of North Carolina Wilmington

endangered
  • World Oceans Day Program: Monday, June 8, 2020 at 12 PM ET (register for the Zoom event here)

  • World Sea Turtle Day Program: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 12 PM ET (register the Zoom event here)

During these hour-long programs - ideal for 3rd-5th graders, students will:

  • Virtually participate in a simulated sea turtle necropsy (animal dissection)
  • See how trash in the ocean can impact sea turtles
  • Learn how trash can get to the ocean
  • AND learn how we can all help stop marine debris!

Looking for a way to engage inquiry and STEM-ulate minds this Summer?

Check out SEA SHOWS, free summertime presentations and story series via Zoom from Florida’s Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

These events are 25 minute virtual story times. For full storybook descriptions and lesson resources, visit www.seatrek.tv/lessons/

  • 6/15 - Shark Baby
  • 6/22 - If a Dolphin Were a Fish
  • 6/29 - Clumsy Crab
  • 7/6 - Smiley Shark
  • 7/13 - If a Dolphin Were a Fish
  • 7/20 - Shark Baby
  • 7/27 - Smiley Shark
  • 8/3 - Clumsy Crab

Register here.

These events are 30 minute chats with Mote researchers and staff.

  • 6/10/20 - Sharks - Valerie Hagan
  • 6/17/20 - Manatees - Christina Nau
  • 6/24/20 - Ocean Technology - Christian Caredio
  • 7/1/20 - No show scheduled
  • 7/8/20 - Red Tide - Devin Burris
  • 7/15/20 - Horticulture - Samantha Bledstein 
  • 7/22/20 - To Be Announced

Register here. 

turtle mote museum
Conference Reports

REPORT: Are We Ready? How We Are Teaching – and Not Teaching – Kids about Climate Change

hechinger report

The Hechinger Report investigated coverage of climate change in school textbooks; explored how the Paradise, California, school district is coping with collective post-traumatic stress after the deadly Camp Fire; wrote about how the science of vaccination is taught (or not) in schools; reported on Mississippi teens who are protecting their town from climate change; explored links between coronavirus and climate change disruptions; covered climate change migration in Louisiana; discussed the lack of climate change instruction in medical school; and more. There's even a tool that allows you to see if a particular school is at risk from flooding. 


Report:

Elementary Science–Equipping Students Through Inquiry & Integration

inquiry brain

"Science tends to be viewed as a completely separate subject area from reading and math. This is the case even in elementary school, where academic content may be more intertwined than in later years. But scientific thinking and processes are valuable across all areas of learning and for career success..." 

Read more, including solid recommendations on what elementary science should look like and solutions for stakeholders in this six-page policy brief from the Southern Regional Education Board.

When you’re done reading the report, check out Elementary GLOBE's series of free high quality integrated inquiry resources designed to introduce K-4 students to the study of Earth system science.

.

Ed Resources

Why Are More Hurricanes Predicted This Year?

hurricane

In the new NSTA Daily Do, Why Are More Hurricanes Predicted This Year?, students use an online simulation to figure out the main factors contributing to hurricane formation and analyze data sets to evaluate scientists' claim about predicted hurricane activity in 2020. Share your photos of your family completing this Daily Do with us on Twitter @NSTA#DailyDo, and visit NSTA’s entire collection of Daily Do sensemaking tasks – now grade-banded to help you find what you need faster!


L. A. Maritime Institute Goes Digital!

tall ship

While the Los Angeles Maritime Institute Staff aren’t out on the water with students these days, they’ve created K-12 STEM videos on their LAMI Topsail YouTube Channel for you!Videos cover Navigation with Math; Microplastics and Marine Ecology; and much, much more. Videos for elementary students and shorter videos for parents and the public can be found on the Tallship American Prides Youtube Channel. Entire lesson plans and course materials are available at: www.lamitopsail.org. In addition, students, teachers, and parents can email AskLAMI@Lamitopsail.org to ask more in depth questions and place requests for resources and videos. These resources are the next best thing to being on the water!


Environmental Education from the US Fish and Wildlife Service

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers lots of resources for teaching and learning, even for those who can't venture out to the public lands managed by the agency. Their numerous resources inspire wonder and build nature knowledge at any age. Collections of lesson plans and activity guides can be found here.

USFWS

Get Your Power Plant Data Here

This Map Shows 29,000 of the World's Power Plants where you can learn more about the Global Power Plant Database which contains all fuel types, from coal and gas to wind and solar, for the entire world.

power plant
grants

  • The Friends of the San Juans is seeking a new Executive Director to guide its efforts to protect and restore the San Juan Islands and the Salish Sea for people and nature. Applications will be accepted through June 11 or until the position is filled. This full-time job is based in Friday Harbor, WA. Visit https://sanjuans.org/ed-director-search/ for more details, qualifications, and instructions on how to apply!

  • Wanted. Education and Outreach Coordinator for National Wildlife Federation and Association of Northwest Steelheaders from Sept 2020-July 2021 in Milwaukie, OR. Application deadline: June 24. Learn more & apply.

  • The Sea Grant Community Engaged Internship (CEI) program for undergraduates has a new webpage with several Sea Grant programs soon to select their first interns for this program.

  • Coral Reef Conservation Program added a new web page on NOAA internships and fellowships. Find the page here.
  • The deadline for the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) fiscal year 2021 Federal Funding Opportunity for Ocean Exploration is October 22, 2020. For FY 2021, required pre-proposals are due by 11:59 pm EDT on June 18, 2020. OER will evaluate pre-proposals and either encourage or discourage applicants to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be due by 11:59 pm EDT on October 22, 2020. Learn More.

  • Youth River Education and Recreation Grants - The National Park Service and River Network are pleased to announce a grant opportunity to fund projects that develop and/or expand “on-water” education, recreation, and/or cultural preservation programs for youth and young adults. Individual awards may range from $5,000 to $25,000. Learn more!
News

 

Sign up to our email list and receive invitations to future events. 

Have questions, comments, or suggestions? We love to hear from you! Email us here to suggest content and include:

  • Event/announcement title
  • Date and time if applicable
  • One paragraph description
  • Link or email address for more information.

Planet Stewards jpg