The Watch. News You Can Use From NOAA Planet Stewards - 10 January 2023

NOAA Planet Stewards The Watch Newsletter

 

News you can use from NOAA Planet Stewards 

January 10, 2023


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Access our archive collections: past webinars, book club selections, and the newsletter!

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Join our January 
Book Club Meeting - Tonight! 

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Book: The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas

When: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 | 7:00 PM ET 

Upcoming meeting dates, book selections, and how to log into our meeting are found in the Book Club Section of our Upcoming Events Page.

You can find over 50 fiction, non-fiction, and Young Adult selections from past Book Clubs - with discussion questions, on our Book Club Archive Page.

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!


Stewardship Inspiration: Increasing Biodiversity  by  Replacing Lawn with Prairie Plants

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Looking for an inspiring way to engage your students – or entire school in hands-on stewardship? – and be funded by NOAA Planet Stewards? Read Increasing Biodiversity by Replacing Lawn With Prairie Plants and learn how students at Little Miami middle school in Ohio created a native prairie landscape on a school-site yard where there was once only a 2.75-acre lawn. Students worked with community members to research planting and maintenance of prairie plants. After installation, students were able to track an increase in biodiversity of plants and animals over a four-year span. They also compared the biomass of lawn and prairie and calculated the savings of carbon emissions due to a reduction of mowing.


Special Science Update Webinar: State of the Climate 2022

Thursday,  January 19, 2023 | 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET

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Join NOAA climate scientist and communicator Tom Di Liberto, and Amber Liggett, a communications analyst and science writer, for a special Science Update webinar hosted by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).

Tom and Amber will discuss recent weather and climate extremes, What scientists are saying about how these events are changing in our warming world, and extremes events may change in the future. Find out that and more, including interactive resources you can use to map your own climate hazards

Register Now!


The Watch

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 educators working to increase their ocean, climate, and environmental awareness and that of the individuals they work with.

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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Tune in to NOAA Ocean Podcast

Did you know that about 40% of Americans live near the coast? Climate change, sea level rise, intense storms, population growth — it's clear why we need to make good decisions today so our coasts continue to thrive tomorrow. Tune in to our latest podcast – the second in a special three-part series produced by the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Today's topic: how behavioral science can shed light on how we make conservation and environmental decisions

If you enjoy our podcast, please consider subscribing . Search on "NOAA ocean" to find us. Help the NOAA Ocean podcast climb the charts by giving us your feedback!

  • NOAA Ocean Podcast feed
  • Link to Apple podcasts (leave a review!) in iTunes
  • All of podcast episodes and full transcripts are available online
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webinar series


NOAA Science Seminar Series

(Select " + Expand" in each webinar listing the series to learn more about it.)

Something for Everyone!

 

12 January 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Coping with Climate Anxiety & Grief

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12 January 2023 | 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET

NOAA CoastWatch: Introducing COSTA -

Collaboration for Oil Spill Tracking in the Americas

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17 January 2023 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET

Do Marine protected areas (MPAs) matter for climate change mitigation and adaptation?

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17 January 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET

Modelling the salinity response to freshwater pulses in estuaries

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25 January 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Unlocking Data through People-Powered Research with Zooniverse

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26 January 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET

Sensitivity of populations to environmental variability

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26 January 2023 | 3:00 - 4:00 pm ET

Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) Multi-vehicle Operations

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31 January 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 pm ET

Raising the USS Monitor Turret - The U.S. Navy's Role in MONITOR Expedition 2002

Educator opportunities

Presidio Graduate School K12 Climate Education Program

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The Presidio Graduate School K12 Climate Education Program provides FREE professional development for teachers focused on teaching about climate change. Each course gives K-12 educators the knowledge, skills and resources to successfully incorporate the topic into their classroom, from the basics to the deeper topic of climate justice. Learn more and enroll today!


Women in Science Winter Speaker Series

Thursday, January 19, 2023 | 3:30 pm ET; Thursday, Jan 26, 2023 | 3:30 pm ET;

Thursday, Feb 2, 2023 | 3:30 pm ET; and/or Thursday, Feb 9, 2023 | 3:30 pm ET

Join the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Hudson River Estuary Program’s virtual winter speaker series. Meet and learn from scientists, community leaders, and environmental educators who work at the intersection of research, education, and environmental and social justice. Engage in discussions about data literacy, sea level rise and sediment accumulation, wetland restoration, oysters, and field-based research. Register and learn more.

women in science

STEM Education Summit: Building a Coalition for Attracting and Retaining a Diverse STEM Teaching Workforce

Friday, March 3-5, 2023 | New Orleans, LA

Application Deadline: January 20, 2023

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This is the seventh educational summit hosted by the Smithsonian Science Center which supports over 100 teams to develop a strategy to increase the prevalence of educators of color in STEM classrooms through more inclusive and culturally relevant hiring and retention practices.  

At the Summit, 20 teams of educators will create logic models for attracting and retaining STEM teachers from underrepresented populations at the school, district, or state-level.  Following the Summit, select teams are supported by mentors to implement the action plans described in their logic model in the subsequent school year. Learn more and submit your team application.


Become a NOAA Explorer-in-Training!

Application Deadline: January 31, 2023

Applications for the 2023 NOAA Ocean Exploration Explorer-in-Training Program are now being accepted! 

This year, the Explorer-in-Training Program will feature two paid internship options:

2 to 4-week expedition-based opportunities supporting seafloor mapping on the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer. 

10-week shore-based summer opportunities providing experiential learning opportunities to develop skills and knowledge via long-term projects supported by NOAA Ocean Exploration mentors (most will be virtual this year). 

Applicants may apply for both opportunities via a single application. For specifics on the program and application visit the Explorers-in-Training webpage

Applications for the 2-4 week expedition-based opportunities will be accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of January 31st, 2023. After this priority deadline, applications will still be accepted until all slots are filled for the 2023 field season. Applications for the 10-week shore-based opportunities will be accepted until January 31st, 2023.

NOAA Ocean Explorers working at a computer

2023 Teaching With Primary Sources Summer Workshops

Session Dates: July 5-7, July 12-14, and July 17-19

Application Deadline: February 10, 2023

Primary Sources PD

The Library of Congress (LOC) in Washington, D.C., will hold a series of free three-day professional development workshops where teachers will learn and practice strategies for using primary sources with K–12 students. In each session, LOC education specialists will model a variety of hands-on, inquiry-based teaching strategies for using primary sources to engage students, build critical-thinking skills, construct knowledge, and launch original research. The workshops are aimed at educators across many disciplines, including science, social studies/history, English language arts, art, and music. Librarians and curriculum/professional development specialists also may apply.


National Air and Space Museum’s Teacher Innovator Institute

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Information session: Wed., January 18 | 7-8 pm ET

Session dates: July  10-21, 2023 

Application Deadline: February 15, 2023

Middle school teachers spend two weeks in Washington, D.C., working with education and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) experts to explore the connections between informal STEAM education and authentic learning as part of the museum’s Teacher Innovator Institute (TII). Set goals for your own professional development, acquire the skills to incorporate museum learning into your practice, and meet colleagues from around the country. Teachers will participate at no charge, and most expenses will be paid by the museum. Join educators from the museum and current TII teachers for an informational webinar session to get tips for completing your application and learn more about the program.


American Meteorological Society 2023 Summer Courses

Application Deadline: March 24, 2023

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Hey teachers! It’s time for you to have a terrific time getting your hands dirty exploring physical oceanography and weather!  The American Meteorological Society's 2023 summer courses, Project Ocean and Project Atmosphere, are accepting applications through 24 March, 2023. These competitive professional development courses are open to K-12 teachers and include online and in-person components and field experiences. All travel expenses are covered and participants receive stipends and earn graduate credit upon successful completion of the courses. Don’t miss this chance to learn from the experts, connect with other outstanding teachers, and have the earth science experience of a lifetime! Learn more and apply!.

Student opportunities

The 2022 Changemaker Video Challenge is Now OPEN!

Entries due: January 23, 2023

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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!


Art x Climate - Youth Call

Deadline to apply: January 27, 2023

 

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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!


Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision Science Challenge

Submissions due: January 31, 2023

exploravision Students

ExploraVision is a science competition for K-12 students of all interest, skill, and ability levels. Students work in groups of two, three, or four with a team coach and/or mentor to envision and communicate new technology 10 or more years in the future through collaborative brainstorming and research of current science and technology. Teams are eligible to win up to $240,000 in prizes. Learn more.


Calling all 5th through 12th Grade Students!  

(Everyone, please help spread the word!)

Open through February 15, 2023

 

PictureClimate

NOAA  has launched the “Picture Climate Change'' student photo contest and is looking for images showing climate change in the United States. This contest is a chance for students to showcase their climate change experience through the lens of a camera, and provide a short written narrative. The narrative should describe the student’s climate change photo, provide a short story about how the climate variability, change, or resilience is captured in the image, or describe how climate change will impact their local community and future. Details are available here. 


Pollution Prevention: A Storytelling Challenge for Students

Entries due: February 17, 2023

 

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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 this 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. 


Population Education’s World of 8 Billion Video Contest

Entries due: February 22, 2023

 

population

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, why it’s important, and at least one sustainable solution. More than 80 cash prizes of up to $1,200 will be awarded. Sign up for the challenge.


National Geographic's Slingshot Challenge

Entries Due: February 23, 2022

slingshot

The Slingshot Challenge, is a global video challenge designed to amplify the voices and ideas of the next generation of planet protectors. 

Participants will be create a one-minute video outlining an innovative solution to a current environmental issue that they’re passionate about. Winning videos will be selected to receive cash prizes, and an invitation to the iconic National Geographic Explorers Festival in Washington, D.C.

Students ages 13-18 and educators looking to engage young people around environmental action are encouraged to sign up. Participation is free!

Ed Resources
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Learn about one of the ocean’s top predators—sharks—and their critical role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. This collection features NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries resources for everyone to explore NOAA’s efforts to research and conserve shark populations, how sharks support the sanctuary system, and more. Check out the full collection.


CLEAN Teacher Newsflash: Severe Weather Lesson Plans

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Using the following resources, students will learn about the relationship between extreme weather events and climate while exploring how these events are predicted.

Resources:


Digital Field Book Activity from the Smithsonian

Digital Field Book

This activity from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History helps K–8 students practice the skill of recording observations. The activity includes a digital field book template to use or copy, as well as additional information about the evolution of the use of field books in science and tips for maximizing students’ observation skills in the field. For example, teachers can jump start students’ thinking with the activity’s provided Guiding Questions to Encourage Observations and Discussion.


Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Curriculum

Green Guardians

Green Guardians, a California-based educational technology company, has developed an environmental literacy curriculum for grades K–5. The curriculum consists of a series of multimedia lessons and games exploring topics such as pollution, climate change, sustainability, energy, watersheds, waste management, and environmental justice. The lessons use a story base to engage students in learning about their environment, and through inquiry and problem-solving, devise solutions to the problems they study.


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Lessons on Climate Change, Evolution and Nature of Science

The National Center for Science Education is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing classroom resources created and tested by teachers from around the United States. View this comprehensive teacher tested set of lessons on Climate Change, Evolution and Nature of Science.


Ocean Optimism Podcast

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The Ocean Optimism podcast shares little known stories of ocean conservation successes. While the ocean is facing unprecedented challenges, we are also making great strides in ocean conservation efforts. It is often the greatest challenges that lead to the greatest opportunities. So let’s not just talk about the problems but the solutions too. Join host, marine biologist, and science storyteller, Ellen Spooner, as she interviews scientists, activists, and leaders about how they are working together to take care of our ocean. Episodes drop on the last Monday of the month. Check out more ocean optimism at www.oceanoptimism.org/


Video: The Science of Climate Change

Video Climate Change

This film begins with phenomena linked to climate change, examines how Earth’s temperature is controlled, how we know it is changing, and how the current changes compare to those over the last 800,000 years. We meet scientists working at the forefront of climate change who explain how we know what we know about Earth’s changing climate and make the critical point that we can solve climate challenges.


New Video: Solving Plastic, Buying Nothing

buyNothing

What if we didn't have to spend any money on the things we need, and could instead get them from our neighbors and build a stronger community in the process? When Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller started the Buy Nothing Project. With hundreds of groups around the world now, the infrastructure of Buy Nothing could transform our economy into one where resources are cycled rather than wasted. Liesl & Rebecca were propelled to Buy Nothing by two motivating factors: Liesl's beach cleanups full of plastic, and Rebecca's status as a newly single mother of 2 struggling to feed her kids. They invited their neighbors to join them in simply asking each other for whatever they needed before buying, and soon it became a way of life for their entire community. Check out the video!


Climate Resources for K-12 Teachers of all Subjects!

subject2Climate

SubjectToClimate is a nonprofit online connector for K-12 teachers of all subjects to find credible, unbiased, and engaging materials on climate change at no cost. Their goal is to enhance climate change knowledge and inspire action by making climate change teaching and learning accessible to all.

Check out the Welcome to SubjectToClimate Video to learn more about SubjectToClimate.

Grants

2023 NOAA B-WET Competitions Are Open!

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The NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program grant competitions are open now! The B-WET program promotes place-based experiential learning for K-12 students and professional development for teachers. This year’s competitions emphasise climate change education. Competitions are now open in California, Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, New England, and the Pacific Northwest.  Check out the website to learn more.


NOAA’s FY23 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Notice of Funding Opportunity

Letter of Intent Due: January 13, 2023

sbirNOAA

NOAA invites qualified small businesses to submit proposals for research and development of highly innovative technologies that have strong commercial potential and fit within NOAA mission areas. Topics for this year’s solicitation include 1) Extreme Events and Cascading Hazards, 2) Coastal Resilience, 3) The Changing Ocean, 4) Water Availability, Quality, and Risk, 5) Effects of Space Weather, and 6) Monitoring and Modeling for Climate Change Mitigation.

To be eligible to submit a Phase I application, small businesses must submit a required Letter of Intent via this form. NOAA Phase I SBIR awards provide up to $175,000 with up to a six (6) month period of performance for conducting feasibility and proof of concept research, with a tentative award start date of August 1, 2023.

 For more information on this solicitation, visit the NOAA SBIR website or contact the NOAA SBIR Program via email at noaa.sbir@noaa.gov.


Fund for Teachers 2023 Fellowship

Application Deadline: January 19, 2023

fund for teachers

Fund for Teachers provides grant money to full-time, classroom teachers (up to $5000 per individual teacher, up to $10,000 for a team) to design and execute their own summer learning experience.  The money can be used to create your own learning experience or to attend a conference/professional development that already exists. 

Full-time teachers (who are in at least their third year of teaching), anywhere in the US can apply.  Learn more and apply.

 


Presidential Awards for Excellence in STEM Teaching 

Applications must be completed by February 6, 2023.

excellenceAward

The National Science Foundation administers Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)  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 will 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.

REEF Summer 2023 Marine Conservation Internship

Application Deadline: March 12, 2023

reef internsship

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is seeking applicants for their Summer 2023 Marine Conservation Internship. This program will start on May 30 and end on August 11 2023. The application deadline is March 12 2023. Visit www.REEF.org/internship for complete information on how to apply. REEF provides housing and a $200 monthly stipend to each selected Marine Conservation Intern. Reliable transportation is required for this program.


Ocean Job Lists

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Education/Equity Bytes

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Ocean, Coastal Weather, Sea Ice, Ocean Life, Water


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