October 25, 2022
Keep Up with NOAA Planet Stewards:
Access our archive collections: past webinars, book club selections, and the newsletter!
Did a colleague or friend share this copy of The Watch with you?
Thank them, then sign up to receive it. See the sign-up link above!
Join us for our November meeting!
NOAA Planet Stewards is excited to continue our Book Club during the 2022-2023 school year!
Book: A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assault on the American Mind by Harriet A. Washington
When: November 15 at 7:00 PM ET
Join with link: meet.google.com/nvs-ehoq-vsw
Or by phone:+1 347-201-4316
Then enter the following PIN: 568 022 004#
In addition to finding all our Book Club selections and meeting dates for the 2022-2023 academic year on our website, we have over 50 fiction, non-fiction, and young adult selections from past Book Club events - with discussion questions, in our archives. Whether you’re looking to catch up on some knowledge, enjoy a quick fun read, or find a book to use with your students, there’s something for everyone at the NOAA Planet Stewards Book Club!
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Hot Off The Presses! Be Inspired by NOAA Planet Stewards Educator’s Projects
The National Earth Science Educators Association’s latest edition of The Earth Scientist is out! This issue features six articles written by NOAA Planet Stewards Educators about the projects they carried out within their schools and communities including:
Restoring prairie grasslands in Ohio, and watershed ecosystems in Illinois,
Sequestering carbon by planting Ponderosa Pine forests in Arizona, and large-scale school gardens in New York.
Participating in Marine debris removal, awareness and prevention in Alaska and California.
All the educator’s projects are aligned to the NGSS and their articles have links to activities and lessons they carried out. We hope you’ll enjoy this issue and be inspired to take action in your communities.
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If you're looking for educational resources or ideas to plug into your academic planning, check out archived issues of The Watch! Our team has reviewed all content for use by formal and informal educators working to increase their own ocean, climate, and environmental awareness as well as their students and audiences.
If you have an item you'd like to share with our education community, email us at: oceanserviceseducation@noaa.gov. Be sure to include:
- Event or Item announcement title
- Date and time if applicable
- One paragraph description
- Clear thumbnail image
- Link for more information
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Celebrate NOAA Spooky Science
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October is spooky season! Follow along to celebrate all things spooky, odd, and spine-tingling in the ocean and atmosphere with NOAA Spooky Science!
Use this chilling, creepy content in your classrooms and institutions, or with your loved ones at home! You can also learn fascinating facts on social media with #NOAASpookyScience. We're @NOAAeducation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Celebrate Oysters: Oyster Week 2022
Oysters are remarkable! They provide many benefits to the ecosystem they live in. They are filter feeders—they clean the water as they eat. And they grow in reefs, which provide great habitat for many other species. Check out Celebrating Oysters for lots of news all about oysters during Oyster Week (October 17-21).
When you’re done learning all about oysters, take a deep dive into Oysters in the Chesapeake, a set of K-12 education lessons developed around the NGSS using the Eastern Oyster in Chesapeake Bay as the organizing theme.
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Join Rafael de Ameller, Earth scientist, technologist, innovator, and leader of the NOAA Environmental Visualization Laboratory for an NSTA hosted webinar on Thursday, November 3, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM ET
Something for Everyone!
31 October 2022 | 12:00 - 12:45 pm ET
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1 November 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
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8 November 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET
 Celebrate the intricate link between trees and climate by taking part in the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program’s 2022 Trees Challenge.
Between Oct. 11 and Nov. 11, citizen scientists worldwide are invited to submit tree height observations and tree circumference measurements. Your participation will help researchers estimate the number of trees in your area and contribute meaningful data to climate science research.
Webinar: NASA STEM – About the Sun: Storytelling & Science
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 | 6:30 pm ET
Join the NASA STEM Engagement & Educator Professional Development Collaborative at Texas State University for a free 60-minute webinar to explore a collection of multi-disciplinary, interactive exercises and activities based on the sun and solar science. Discover NASA resources featuring solar art, music, photography, poetry, and literature. Participants will be introduced to free graphic novels and story books and solar folklore from different cultures and worldviews as people’s attempt to explain, understand, and come to grips with nature's phenomena. Register to participate.
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Upcoming Webinars from CLEAN!
Live Virtual Event: From Earth’s Classrooms to Space
Thursday, October 26, 2022 | 12:30 pm ET
Audience: Educators and students in grades 6-12
Join NASA’s Space Crop Production Team and the Growing Beyond Earth Project for a live virtual tour of the Space Crop Production Area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Get an inside look at the research, researchers, facilities, and more. Don’t miss your chance to engage with those making strides towards sustainable crop production in space. Check out the live feed!
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HHMI Biointeractive Webinar: Integrating Quantitative Skills in Life Science Courses Using Data Explorer
Thursday, October 27, 7:00–8:30 pm ET
How can we help students develop skills to visualize and analyze data? In this workshop, participants will learn how to access and use Data Explorer, a rich, powerful, and low-threshold quantitative tool from HHMI BioInteractive. Using best practices in online instruction, you’ll get insights into the benefits and challenges of using Data Explorer for incorporating quantitative skills in life science courses. Register Today!
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Deep Dive Series – Solutions Journalism: News to Action
Thursday, October 27, 2022 | 4:00 pm ET
Meet Em and Kevin Barrett, co-founders of The Inspirer, in the kickoff Deep Dive Series webinar of the 2023 Ocean Awareness Contest. Em and Kevin struggled to find hopeful stories in a sea of sensationalized doom and gloom. After thinking, “there must be somebody out there, somewhere, who is doing something constructive,” they co-founded The Inspirer, a site highlighting evidence-based solutions to the problems on the news. Register for the webinar.
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Wildfires and How They Impact Health
Friday, November 4, 2022 | 12:00 pm ET
Audience: Educators, College/Adult, High School
Wildfire smoke can be dangerous to human health, and climate change is increasing risks of exposure. In this panel discussion hosted by the Yale Center for Environmental Communication and Yale Climate Connections, speakers will cover how climate and weather affect wildfires and air pollution, how that affects human health and what people might do to stay safe when smoke is in the air. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Kai Chen, Yale School of Public Health. Register for the webinar.
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Webinar: Environmental Action Civics Support Series
Digging into environmental action civics? Join Earth Force this fall for a series of support sessions, each focusing on a different topic. New and experienced Earth Force practitioners are welcome to participate in the session for Q&A, problem-solving, and camaraderie. Register to attend one or both!
- Tuesday 11/1: Student-Led Action & Action Stories
- Tuesday 12/6: Celebration!
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McMurdo Speaker Series: Antarctica and Space and Lasers - Oh my!
Travel virtually to Antarctica with your students through three live sessions from the McMurdo research station in the heart of Antarctica facilitated by researcher Dr. Xinzhao Chu and her graduate students. Students will learn polar science topics including the upper atmosphere, space weather, seasons in Antarctica, and what it's like to live at the McMurdo station. Students will also be able to chat live with scientists at the end of the world. These events are open to the public and will be most interesting for middle school ages and up. Register on the event pages for the link! Co-hosted by CIRES Education & Outreach and Exploring by the Seat of your Pants.
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November 8 - Seasons in the Arctic
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November 15 - Introduction too Space Weather with Arunima Prakash
Register for one or all the webinars.
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Webinar: Evaluating Lessons Using NSTA Sensemaking Tool
November 17 at 4:00 pm ET
The NSTA Single-Point Rubric for Sensemaking Lessons (aka Sensemaking Tool), is designed to help educators be critical consumers of curricular materials and create or revise science lessons to reflect the instructional shifts (sensemaking) required by the NGSS and three-dimensional state standards. In this webinar you’ll become familiar with the Tool and learn how it can be optimally used. Click here to register.
You're invite to view archived videos of all of the previous webinars on the AGI YouTube Channel.
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National Geographic’s Explorer Classroom's Fall Return!
Join Explorer Classroom — live interactive sessions that connect young people with National Geographic Explorers — to hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with cutting-edge scientists, researchers, and powerful storytellers from around the globe. All events are free, open to the public, and include an interactive guide for students and educators to help everyone get the most out of the experience.
Check out the Events Schedule: Events for ages 4-8 are Mondays at 11am ET, events for ages 9-14 are Thursdays at 10am & 2pm ET, with special events added on a rolling basis.
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Now Open through December 16, 2022:
The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!
Get your art supplies ready, because this year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest that answers the questions:
- How does marine debris impact the oceans and Great Lakes?
- What are you doing to help prevent marine debris?
Contest winners will be featured in a 2024 calendar! Visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program website to check out last year's winners and download the contest entry form and flyer.
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Pollution Prevention: A Storytelling Challenge for Students
Webinar: October 26, 2022 | 2:00-3:00 pm ET
Entries due: February 17, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of the “Pollution Prevention Works: A Storytelling Challenge for Students”. EPA will award a total of $50,000 in prize money through the video challenge. High school and college students are invited to create stories illustrating how businesses in the U.S. are reducing toxic chemical releases through innovative pollution prevention practices, and by having a positive impact on the environment and communities. Participants have a chance to win up to $5,000. Join the upcoming webinar to learn more about the challenge.
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The 2022 Changemaker Video Challenge is Now OPEN!
Do you know any teens who are frustrated with the world and want to do something about it?! Encourage them to submit a video on one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighting their views and how they want to see things change! Teens simply create a short two-minute video showcasing their idea!10 winners will be selected to receive up to $500 to implement their vision.
---> Learn more about the SDGs here!
---> Review the judging rubric and submit a video here!
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Art x Climate - Youth Call; Deadline January 27, 2023
You can help others understand climate change and inspire people to take action through art. Youth ages 13-17 are invited to submit artwork related to the topic of climate, people, and nature. Winning artists will be featured in the chapters of the Fifth National Climate Assessment, which is seen by hundreds of thousands of people across the country and around the world. Learn more!
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Population Education’s World of 8 Billion student video contest challenges students to create a short video connecting world population growth to one of three global topics: Climate Change, Waste, and Gender Equality. Videos should include content on how population growth affects the selected topic and why it’s important, along with at least one sustainable solution. More than 80 cash prizes of up to $1,200 will be awarded. Sign up for the challenge. Deadline: February 22, 2023
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National Geographic Launches Slingshot Challenge
The National Geographic Society, with support from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, officially launched the Slingshot Challenge, a new, global video challenge designed to amplify the voices and ideas of the next generation of planet protectors.
Participants will be asked to create a one-minute video outlining an innovative solution to a current environmental issue that they’re passionate about. Winning videos will be selected by a panel of judges to receive cash prizes, as well as an invitation to the iconic National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C.
Students ages 13-18 and educators looking for ways to engage young people around environmental action are encouraged to sign up. Participation is free! Deadline: February 23, 2022
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 Chesapeake Reefs: Seeing Oysters Through a New Lens
Oyster reefs play a central role in the economy and culture of coastal human communities. In this new StoryMap, students can delve into the science and history of this valuable resource
BRIDGE Activity: Oyster Reef Recovery
In this oyster-focused activity, students will use 60 years of oyster landing data from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission database to:
- Compare landings from both natural and seeded bed
- Evaluate and graph long-term trends in shellfish harvest
- Answer questions about environmental pressures facing oyster grower
- Determine if oysters are on the rebound or if there is more work to be done
Students will also have a chance to think critically and creatively as they design their own public service campaign to encourage consumers to donate used shells to recovery efforts. Enjoy!
National Geographic: Plastic Pollution Story Map
In this Story Map, students follow the journey of one plastic drinking bottle to learn about the problem of plastics in the ocean. The resource is appropriate for students in grades 5-8.
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Subject to Climate: Climate Change and National Parks
In this lesson for middle school students, students learn about the impact that climate change has on national parks. Students wrap up the lesson by creating an infographic to inform the public about what they learned about how the climate crisis is affecting national parks. |
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This is an extensive collection of maps, data, and tools that students can use to research drought and its impacts on agriculture, wildfires, water supply, vegetation, soil moisture, temperature and precipitation. Find it here.
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X-STEM All Access Videos for Middle & High School
Bring the Ocean to Your Learners with Pristine Seas
Aiming to protect the ocean’s vital places, the National Geographic Pristine Seas project has completed 36 expeditions since 2008, contributing to the creation of 25 marine reserves. Take a look at the curated Pristine Seas Resource Library collection, which includes educational videos, articles, and implementation ideas centered on marine conservation. You can also invite your learners to explore and protect the ocean alongside Pristine Seas with this activity powered by the MapMaker geovisualization tool.
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Environmental Justice Narratives: Stories from the Field
Climate Generation partnered with Change Narrative LLC and the Minnesota Transform 2022 Environmental Justice Institute to share six climate stories from young leaders and activists in Minnesota. Through the Institute, undergraduate students partnered with environmental justice organizations around the Twin Cities and crafted their personal climate story about their experiences.
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CLEAN Newsflash: Storm/Hurricane Classroom Resources
Climate change and warming temperatures are causing more intense tropical cyclones. With the resources included, students will explore this relationship, learn what causes a thunderstorm, and discuss the expected future intensity increase of storms. Use these links to build your hurricane lesson plan!
Flooding Resources:
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2023 DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grant Opportunity
NOAA Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation recently announced the request for proposals for the 2023 DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants. These grants were created to advance ocean exploration learning opportunities by investing in projects and partners that support the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) workforce development pipeline and engage diverse learners at the middle school, high school, and/or college level. Grants are available in the range of $10,000-$20,000 for new proposals. DEIA Ocean Exploration Education Grants implementation period is from January 1, 2023 - July 30, 2023.
Proposals are due by November 7, 2022.
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Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
Are you an educator, or know one, who’d like to spend 11 months working at a Federal Agency or Congress? The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 year. Teachers will apply their extensive knowledge and classroom experiences to national education program and/or education policy efforts during this Fellowship. There are many sponsoring Federal Agencies, so check out the full list here and see examples of the work of past Fellows.
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NOW OPEN!
Presidential Awards for Excellence in STEM Teaching
The National Science Foundation administers Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST), were created by Congress in 1983 on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of STEM, including Computer Science. This year's (2022-2023) awards will honor science, technology, engineering, or mathematics teachers working in grades 7-12.
Applications and/or nominations are now open. Recipients of the award receive the following:
- A certificate signed by the President of the United States.
- A paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
- A $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
- An opportunity to build lasting partnerships with colleagues across the nation.
Nominations close on January 9, 2023. Applications must be completed by February 6, 2023.
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Job Posts
Job Post Lists
Education/Equity Bytes
Science Bytes: Climate
Science Bytes: Ocean, Coastal Weather, Sea Ice, Ocean Life, Water
Science Bytes: Weather Extremes & Other Environmental News of Note
Have questions, comments, or suggestions? We love to hear from you! You can also share opportunities for your fellow educators, students, educational resources and more! Email us at: oceanserviceseducation@noaa.gov. Be sure to include:
- Event/announcement title
- Date and time if applicable
- One paragraph description
- Link or email address for more information
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