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"... For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it.
If only we're brave enough to be it."
― Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb, U.S. Inauguration 2021
NOAA Planet Stewards Program Links:
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Help Us Help You – "The Watch Readers Survey!"
Your answers will help us determine the content and resources of "The Watch" e-newsletter. Our goal is to provide you with timely STEM and educational resources, opportunities, and information that are most valuable to you. We appreciate you taking a few minutes to help us help you. Find and complete the survey here.
Thanks to all who've responded thus far!
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Join the Planet Stewards Book Club in February!
Join us at our next Book Club meeting on
Monday February 15th at 8:00 pm ET
to discuss:
Find all upcoming Pllanet Stewards books and upcoming book club meetings here.
The book is about how ordinary people can make extraordinary changes. It tells the story of Plastic Free July, a social phenomenon involving over 250 million people in 177 countries. Most importantly, it shows how a determined community can be a formidable force.
The discussion is open to all. To join us, dial 866-662-7513 (toll free)
Then, use the pass code: 1170791#
Please share this invitation with all interested colleagues and networks
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New Planet Stewards Website & Funding Opportunity
Check out the updated Planet Stewards Website! NOAA Planet Stewards is now providing up to $5000 - that's right, up to $5000! - to support educators’ efforts to implement hands-on action-based stewardship projects that conserve, restore, and protect human communities and natural resources from environmental challenges. Check it out! > |
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FIVE: NOAA Ocean Service Educational Resources
Listen to this special podcast all about the lesson plans, tutorials, activities, many other educational resources offered by the National Ocean Service website for educators, students, parents and kids - really anyone who wants to learn all about our ocean and coasts. Then Check out the Website!
Northeast Michigan’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is estimated to contain over 200 shipwrecks. In this podcast, hear Sanctuary Superintendent Jeff Gray discuss the significance of these world-class wrecks, the rich history they contain, and the wealth of scientific research and recreational opportunities that the sanctuary has to offer. The program also dives into how NOAA, its partners, and the community of Alpena, Michigan, work together to advance the sanctuary’s mission of preservation, research, and recreation. Find the podcast here.
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THREE: NOAA National Ocean Service Careers!
Adventures of a Marine Mammal Biologist from Pole to Pole
January 26, 2021, 8 pm ET
Join Ed Bowlby, retired Marine Biologist, as he shares stories and photos from his marine mammal research and adventures in the Arctic, Antarctic, West Coast, and the tropics. Over his multi-decade career Ed has investigated marine mammals ranging from Hawaiian monk seals to sea otters and many species of whales. Ed is a prolific writer and has co-authored 16 articles and technical reports on his work.
Register for this webinar or learn more about the National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series .
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ONE: A OneNOAA Seminar From the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Tipping the balance: Species interactions in a changing ocean and the consequences for marine disease
Environmental change can influence organisms directly, but species interactions also mediate
these effects through predation, competition, and disease. In the ocean, the shifting impact of
disease illustrates how host-parasite interactions can respond to changing ocean conditions.
This broadcast highlights how changes in the biotic and abiotic environment influence disease in critical habitat-forming species - especially corals and oysters. Recent research will be presented on co-infection of coral, effects of pollution and temperature, and natural and anthropogenic impacts on Chesapeake Bay oysters.
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Alaska Marine Science Symposium: Cutting-Edge Science Connecting with Education
TODAY! - Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021 - 1 PM PT | 4:00 ET
Join colleagues and others at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium (AMSS) conference to discuss the latest marine research being conducted in Alaska waters. Hear Elizabeth Siddon from NOAA's Fisheries Alaska Fisheries Science Center discuss her ecosystem research and education work, and Mark Van Arsdale, a high school teacher in Eagle River, Alaska, talk about his takeaways from the AMSS and how he brings the science back to his classroom.
Register for the GoToWebinar event
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TODAY! - Tuesday, January 26, 6:30 pm ET
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the human immune system to the forefront of our collective consciousness. While corals do not suffer from Covid-19, they do have an immune system that we desperately need to understand as they are affected by many types of disease. Find out about cutting edge medical technology used to study corals immune systems, and discover the unique and surprising ways in which corals combat disease and identify "friend from foe" in this special and informative webinar! Register here.
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Florida Oceanographic Society’s 2021 Coastal Lecture Series
Begins TODAY! - January 26, Tuesday, 6:30 pm ET
The Florida Oceanographic Society’s 2021 Coastal Lecture Series has gone virtual! These free Zoom-based lectures are held on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm. To register for upcoming lectures or watch previously recorded presentations, visit this website. Some of the many upcoming presentations include:
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Jan. 26: University of Miami - Exploring the Invisible: Blue Holes of The Bahamas
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Feb. 2: Smithsonian Marine Station - Indian River Lagoon Research
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Feb. 23: Florida Springs Institute - Making Florida’s Springs Great Again
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Mar. 9: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute - Marine Megafauna Health Assessments: Insights into Marine Ecosystem Health
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Chesapeake Conversations: Professional Learning Workshop Series for Elementary Science Teachers
Session begins January 28, Thursday, 4:30-5:30 pm ET – Live on Zoom!
Oregon Science Teachers Association Webinar: Appreciating Living Processes
January 27, Wednesday, at 4:00 PM PT/6:00 PM, ET
Participants will gain a better understanding of how Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom offers critical ways of knowing about climate change that Western science does not, and how to integrate these vital perspectives into their science teaching. Learn more & register> |
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Join CLEAN for its events this winter and spring! Register for one or more of the following webinars/workshops:
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U.S. Dept. of Education Webinar: Inspiring STEM Interest
February 2, Tuesday, 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET
Interest in STEM is essential to inspire new discoveries and transformative technological advances. In support of the Federal STEM Strategic Plan goals, join this webinar to learn about the latest efforts, research, and resources for inspiring STEM interest from respected Department and subject matter experts. This information can be incorporated into your learning environments to help inspire the next generation of STEM learners, researchers, leaders, and innovators. Register here to learn more.
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February 2 - March 17, 2021
ESRI's no-cost, massive open online course (MOOC) in Cartography, is for anyone who wants to explore fundamental principles of mapmaking in a fun, interactive learning environment. Join the course and see how maps can help you showcase your work and make a bigger impact. Register here today. |
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Green Teacher Webinars
Helping educators promote environmental awareness among young people
Webinars are free but donations welcome. Learn more & register>
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The Plastic Problem and What We Can Do About It | February 3rd, 7:30o-8:30 pm ET
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Preparing for extreme weather at your school | February 10th, 7:30-8:30 pm ET
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Empowering Youth Voices on Climate Change Policy | February 17, 730-8:30 pm ET
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Opportunities, Barriers, Strategies towards Inclusion | February 18, 7:00-8:30 pm ET
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WEBINAR: From Sea to See -- How Satellites Can Help Identify and Combat Plastic Marine Debris
February 10, Wednesday, 9 - 10:15 a.m. ET
Since the issue of ocean plastics has entered the public consciousness, the amount of plastic that enters the ocean each year continues to grow. Yet, policymakers cannot combat the issues without data. Modern advances in satellite, camera, and other technologies have enabled scientists to identify where the plastic "leakage" is occurring. By harnessing the data from "leakage" sources, we can better guide the conversation on how to solve the problem. Register here. |
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The National Association of Geoscience Teachers - Earth and Space Sciences (NGSS-ESS) Webinar: Soil Biology, Chemistry, and Physics... Oh My!
February 11, 2021 at 4 p.m. ET
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Soil is so much more than what food is grown in. It’s complex, life-giving, and critical for a balanced ecosystem. Presenters will provide background on what it is, why it’s important, and ideas for classroom activities. They'll wrap-up with additional resources and learn a bit about soil focused careers. This webinar is presented by members of the Soil Science Society of America.
Link for webinar registration
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NOAA LIVE! From the NOAA Restoration Center in Gloucester, MA
Dambusters at Work: Restoring Habitats for Migratory Fish and Eels
January 27, Wednesday, 1 pm PT | 4 pm ET
Soon after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock they began to build dams on Town Brook in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Every dam built impacted the migratory pathway of American eel and river herring which need to reach fresh water streams to complete their lifecycle. This talk will describe efforts by the Town of Plymouth and NOAA to remove or modify dams on Town Brook to restore habitats for migratory fish....and wait until you hear what they found when they tore down those dams! (Live ASL interpretation)
» Register and download resources here
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Resources for Kids at Home
Woods Hole Sea Grant is pleased to be able to provide this list of educational resources to assist families and teachers with ideas and on-line programming for use during the unique school situations in response to COVID-19.
IMPORTANT: Please check with state and/or local officials for the latest information and regulations on outdoor activities in your community.
Find games, resources, webinars, and activities and more here.
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Webinar Series: Ocean Career Series from the Seattle Aquarium
Begins Wednesday, January 27!
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Living Porpoisefully Valentines – Free!
Living Porpoisefully has come out with 18 Ocean Valentines you can download and print out for free!
They're in full color and coloring sheet formats (printable PDF's) and 6 of them are GIF files that you can share digitally. Each Valentine's card includes the name of the ocean animal, adding a splash of learning.
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Student Art Contest 2021 - “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future!”
Students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the art contest “Seafarers: at the core of shipping’s future,” which aims to show support and appreciation for seafarers around the world and showcase the vital role they play in the maritime industry. Submissions will be accepted from students across the Americas (North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean). Students living outside the Americas are welcome to apply, provided they have one or more parents on active duty with the U. S. Coast Guard. Submissions will be accepted from Jan. 11, 2021 to March 31, 2021. Find out more here.
(En Español: www.namepa.net/concurso-de-arte)
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Virtual Marine and Environmental Science College Fair
The Ocean Institute is pleased to announce its inaugural Virtual Marine and Environmental Science College Fair on MARCH 27th, 2021. This FREE event provides high schools students the opportunity to learn about educational programs in the areas of marine and environmental sciences directly from colleges and universities. Live presentations, small session chats, student and alumni panels, exhibits, and more aim to help students learn more about their post-high school options. SPACE IS LIMITED. To receive updates and first opportunity to register, complete this pre-registration/interest form.
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University of Delaware Kicks off Sea Story Time: Marine Science Through Storybooks
As part of World Read Aloud Day, Delaware Sea Grant Marine Education Specialist at the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy and children’s book authors, will kick off the first of a series of three virtual events titled “Sea Story Time: Marine Science Through Storybooks.”
On February 3rd Dr. Danielle Dixson will read her book, A Butterflyfish’s Journey to Find Delicious Food. The series will continue on March 3 with How the Tiny Gobies Saved their Coral Home and conclude on April 7 with A Clownfish's Home Gets Into Hot Water.
The series is appropriate for children in Pre-K through 1st grade and is geared towards individuals, classrooms, education centers and libraries. To register, visit https://www.deseagrant.org/registration-form. Registration is required.
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Four different, week-long classroom units (two 2nd grade and two 3rd grade) have been developed that include both in-person and remote learning lessons and activities. The lessons include information and clips from more than a dozen NOAA Live! Webinars. Click here for lessons.
Resources were developed by Michael Irving, 3rd Grade Teacher, North Falmouth Elementary School
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Education Resources from NOAA's Climate.gov
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These Middle and High School level lessons explore regional climate differences.
- This activity - suitable at Middle and High School levels - investigate how scientists monitor changes in Earth's glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets. Explore the lesson.
- This High School Level Activity examines regional variability as predicted in climate change models for the next century. Find it here.
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Videos from NOAA's Office of Exploration and Research: Underwater Robots
Deep Sea Dialogues is a new video series examining topics in ocean science and featuring interviews and discussions with ocean explorers. The first video in this series: Underwater Robots examines the role these technological marvels play in deep sea exploration. The video provides a window into how underwater robots are designed, built and operated, as well as what the future of ocean exploration may look like. Find out more here.
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Dive Into Environmental Education During EE Week,
April 19 - April 23, 2021
Mark your calendar! National Environmental Education Week (EE Week) will be providing science teachers and students with lesson plans, facts, quizzes, and many other resources online. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, EE Week organizers released many EE Week resources early - and shared free online material from partners - so that parents, educators, and caretakers could have immediate access to these environmental education tools. Inspire environmental learning among K-12 students with environmental resources. Register, find resources, and learn more online. |
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Dig Into Earth Science Education With USGS
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), offers a wealth of information on virtually every Earth science topic, from natural resources and hazards to geospatial data. Their Resources for Teachers website includes content for K-12 students, educators, and others. USGS also has thousands of free images and over 69,000 searchable publications including books, maps, and charts. There's also the rich archives of the USGS Multimedia Gallery, including a podcast series on topics such as climate change, satellite monitoring, human health, and wildlife disease. Enjoy! |
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The Climate Toolkit: A Resource Manual for Science and Action
The Climate Toolkit is a resource manual designed to help you navigate the complex and perplexing issue of climate change by providing tools, activities, and strategies to explore the underlying science. It contains a collection of activities that make use of readily available on-line resources developed by research groups and public agencies. These include web-based climate models, climate data archives, interactive atlases, policy papers, and “solution” catalogs. Download it here. |
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NESTA has a new Website!
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NESTA (the National Earth Science Teachers Association) has built a brand new website, with terrific content & updated resources, Dive in & explore all that NESTA has to offer!
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New Educational Resources from National Geographic!
" An Introduction to Sea Ice" is a fantastic StoryMap created by ESRI and NatGeo. Combined with a full suite of supporting resources, students in grades 5-8 can use this interactive resource to see how sea ice plays a vital role in the health and maintenance of our planet.
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From HHMI Biointeractive: Space Invaders!
In this Click & Learn resource, students explore mathematical models that describe how populations change over time, and apply these models to the invasive lionfish population in the Bahamas. Use the accompanying case studies to help students analyze real data from a variety of populations and explain how various factors regulate population size. |
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NOAA Education Strategic Plan
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The NOAA Education Strategic Plan is a framework for collaboration across the NOAA education community and guides its evaluation efforts. The NOAA education community’s activities and audiences are diverse, but the plan unites us under a common vision and mission. The new NOAA Education Strategic Plan is now available on the website as a text document and as an explainer. |
The Future of Truth and Misinformation Online
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Experts are evenly split on whether the coming decade will see a reduction in false and misleading narratives online. Those forecasting improvement place their hopes in technological fixes and in societal solutions. Others think the dark side of human nature is aided more than stifled by technology.
Find the complete report from PEW Research onlline here.
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Grants, Contests, Campaigns
Jobs, Internships and Opportunities
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NOAA Explorers-in-Training Internship Program Applications Open for Summer 2021. Applications are due February 15th, 2021,
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Summer 2021 Internships Available in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. Applications for all six internships are due by February 20, 2021
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President/Ex. Director, The National Marine Life Center; Send cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references to Beth Jones, Interim Executive Director, NMLC-Search-Committee@nmlc.org. Position open until filled.
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Coral Restoration and Conservation Internship Application Summer 2021, Florida. Applicant must have an Advanced Open Water SCUBA certification and be at least 21 years of age. Apply here.
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CLIMATE READY BOSTON'S RESILIENCE FELLOWS. DEADLINE: Monday, March 15, 2001
Education News You Can Use
Science and Stewardship News You Can Use
Have questions, comments, or suggestions? We love to hear from you! Email us here to suggest content and include:
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