Join NOAA & NASA science and exploration crews in the deep ocean as they work together to reveal how life can live outside of the goldilocks zone in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. Their mission is intensifying as we continue our search for other signs of life in the universe. Register Today ...or else!                                                                               Bwa ha ha haaaaaaa!

Join NOAA’s Kari Fleegel, a National Weather Service forecaster, who has been specially trained and certified to provide weather support at fire locations. This webinar will be recorded and posted (with English captions and Spanish subtitles) after the live broadcast. All ages will enjoy the presentation but it is geared to 2nd-8th grade audiences. Register here 

Other resources for students:

• National Weather Service (NWS) Wildfire safety
• NWS wildfire safety tips video
• NWS Seasonal Safety Campaign 
• Smokey Bear for Kids
• Smokey Bear for Educators, K-2 and middle school activities and materials.

Giant Seabass are large fish that live in the cool waters off the coast of California. This fish is the top predator of the kelp forest ecosystem, but the population has been low because of overfishing. Thanks to government protections, Giant Seabass are beginning to return to Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA is working with other groups to study them. The fish is unique because scientists believe it uses sounds to communicate. NOAA recording these sounds in the wild and studying how these fish move around Santa Barbara Island, a small offshore island in the sanctuary. Learn more and register to attend.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest for students to help raise awareness about marine debris. A calendar is produced featuring the winning artwork, which serves as a daily reminder of how important it is for us to be responsible stewards of the ocean. This year both mailed and electronically submitted entries will be accepted. Visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program website for more details and educational marine debris resources. The contest closes on December 15, 2020.  You can also check out the 2021 Marine Debris Calendar, now available for download!

A hotter planet makes conditions for fires more likely, and a warmer ocean can fuel stronger storms - including hurricanes. To better understand the ocean, weather, and climate connection, join NOAA Climatologist Tom DiLiberto in this video as he examines “wild weather” including major forest fires out west. Gain insight into how meteorologists and climatologists use technology and human skill to create reliable weather and climate forecasts. Watch the full episode and others from NOAA Ocean Today.

Misinformation damages society in a number of ways, having consequences for public health, the environment, and democracy. But undoing misinformation is difficult! 

To explain how best to respond, University of Bristol professor Stephan Lewandowsky, George Mason University professor, John Cook, and 20 other leading researchers have produced The Debunking Handbook 2020. Inoculate yourself and your students with methods offered here. Make sure to watch John Cook's archived webinar from Planet Stewards listed above!

Many educators still need online and virtual resources. NESTA has created a Earth Science Online Teaching Resources Collection to help educators find vetted lessons, interactive simulations that promote investigating Earth, environmental, and space science from home.

In January 2020, the AMS launched a new certification program for teachers of meteorology, oceanography, and/or climate. Upon successful completion of any two of the five courses offered through their Datastreme program, Project Atmosphere, and Project Ocean/Maury, teachers may apply to become Certified AMS Teachers. This certification is an ideal way to distinguish yourself as a recognized Earth Science education leader. All the information about this exciting new credential is available HERE..

Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) is a teaching strategy that incorporates the previous experiences and cultures of students to better engage them in the education process. Join Steven C. Smith, an education specialist at the NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative at Texas State University for a free webinar. Smith will share his experiences implementing CRT in the classroom. The session will focus on the day-to-day functioning of the classroom, or how to “do” CRT in a practical sense. Register to attend.

Have your K-8th grade students join the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network(CLEAN) on October 21st at 3pm ET / 12pm PT for a virtual live lesson about melting ice, and its relation to climate. Students will get to experiment with ice during this fun, hands-on lesson, which only requires some ice, black pepper, and some dark and light-colored plates. The lesson also connects with several Science@Home talks by CIRES/NOAA scientists that are appropriate for upper elementary students.   

• Register here for the “The Science of Ice” live virtual lesson on Oct. 21st at 3pm ET.  

• Click here to sign up for the Science@Home science talks or to watch recordings. 

Contact CLEAN Program Manager (Katie Boyd; katie.boyd@colorado.edu) with any questions.

NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, CO presents 2020 Virtual 8th Grade Science Days.  For over 10 years this team has brought eighth graders into this NOAA laboratory to meet and learn from scientists. NOAA facilities are closed to visitors this year, so the event is being offered virtually. Students can put on their science caps and spend time in the shoes of scientists studying anything from the floor of the ocean to the surface of the sun. Videos and activities to learn about NOAA and its work in eight science areas are available throughout 2020. Check them out here!

High school students can’t advocate for climate solutions without having their science facts straight. At October's “Youth Have Power” Speaker Series, students can hear directly from climate scientist Dr. Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Vermont State Climatologist, to get their questions answered on the nuts and bolts of climate change. Attendees will also hear from Liza Goldberg, Student Research Assistant at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center on how youth can be climate scientists at any age. Students will leave with all the facts and inspiration needed to start working on solutions for climate action! Students can tune in at The Wild Center or Youth Climate Program website to register and find out about further climate-specific opportunities.

My NASA Data (MND) now offers monthly Office Hours for  students (of grades 3-12) so they can ask questions related to using NASA Earth data for instruction or research. In 30-minute sessions, receive one-on-one guidance on a variety of topics such as working with NASA data using the Earth System Data Explorer, ideas for student projects, and more. To schedule time, follow this link: MND Office Hours. (Note: If there is not a date or time that works with your schedule, email mynasadata@gmail.com to coordinate a more convenient time.)

The Bridge Ocean Science Education Resource Center is an ever-growing collection of the best marine education materials available online. It offers links to ocean education programs, "Centers" for students and teachers, as well as data and hands-on activities and lesson plans that extend beyond the classroom. If you're looking for a particular theme for an ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes  lesson, you're sure to find just what you're looking for. Check out the wealth of content here.

Halloween may look a little different this year, but here's a DIY Fish Mask craft that's perfect for the times. May it add some fishy fun to your celebrations and make a splash while keeping you protected. 

More Halloween themed links:

• ScubaDiving.com: Ocean-Themed Costumes
• Smithsonian Ocean: Creepy Ocean Critter Surface
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Institute: Spooky Eyed Critters              Eerie Predators, The Blobs
• Live Science: Scary Deep Sea Creatures Gallery
• Oceana.org: Five Eerie Ocean Animals

NASA Climate Kids’ latest student friendly video explains how NASA measures and explains the causes of rising sea levels. Check it out here. Plus, did you know that a new Earth-observing satellite that measures our sea level is launching next month? After learning about sea level, click here for five things to know about the satellite, Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich.

This entirely student-led conference will bring together students, practitioners, and faculty to collectively explore the links, trade-offs, and tensions at the nexus of climate change, oceans, and coastal ecosystems. The conference is free and open to the public. To learn more about the conference and to register, visit the conference website.

The USA Science & Engineering Festival, SciFest is the largest and only national science festival with thousands of hands-on activities, conversations with STEM mentors, and exciting presentations. While it may be another year before you can attend the in-person Expo, you can join SciFest for a FREE Virtual All Access Festival! CLICK HERE to learn more and view all the SciFest exhibitors and performers.