At our November book club we’ll discuss There's Something in the Water: Environmental Racism in Indigenous and Black Communities. Author Ingrid R. G. Waldron examines the legacy of environmental racism and its health impacts in Indigenous and Black communities in Canada, using Nova Scotia as a case study, and the grassroots resistance activities by Indigenous and Black communities against the pollution and poisoning of their communities.

If you don’t have time to read the book, it is available as a slightly more than one-hour documentary hosted by actor Elliot Page on Amazon Prime.

And remember...

Find meeting dates, times, selections, and how to log in on our Upcoming Events Page.

Sign up to receive reminder announcements on our mailing list!

See previously selected books and discussion questions in our Book Club Archive.

Now is a great time to engage your school to help solve an issue impacting your local environment!

Read how NOAA Planet Stewards Patrick Goff and Kyla Trahan, science teachers at Beaumont Middle School in Lexington, KY increased the capacity of their school’s rain garden by almost 1000 square feet, allowing it to retain and filter over 80 additional cubic feet of storm-water runoff coming from the main section of their school’s parking lot - a large impermeable surface. This project gave students the opportunity to investigate science in a real-world setting. 

Read about their stewardship project.

Carve out some time for our planet this Halloween with pumpkin carving templates from NOAA - from satellite themes far above our heads, to sea creatures in the depths of the ocean, to endangered species! Learn fun facts and explore more by the light of your “NOAA-o’-lantern!” Check them all out on the NOAA Office of Education's website or the NOAA Fisheries website. 

And be sure to keep your Halloween trash-free with these resources from the NOAA Marine Debris Program Blog:        - 

• 6 Fun Halloween Tricks and Treats to Reduce Waste
• Make Your Own Halloween Costume
• Trash or Treat

It’s spooky season! There's no better time to learn a few fun facts about strange and interesting animals found in the ocean, along with ideas on how to make a one-of-a-kind costume utilizing common craft supplies no matter your age. Take the ideas in this article, get creative, and make it your own! While you’re out trick-or-treating in your homemade Halloween costume, don’t forget to share the fun ocean animal facts you learned in this guide. 

At the foot of the Rocky Mountains, strong windstorms are a common weather event. Scientists have been tracking windstorms and are trying to answer the question “Are wind patterns changing as the climate warms?” The answer may lead to better communication to the public! Register for this online workshop designed specifically for educators that will introduce you to the Shifting Winds curriculum and provide you with resources to enhance your teaching of weather, wind, and local phenomena.

Climate Generation is offering a paid opportunity for three elementary educators to create a second elementary climate change curriculum in collaboration with their staff. Read on to learn more about the project and submit your application to be on the resource development team!

Educators chosen for the resource development team will receive a $750 stipend and the opportunity to establish long-term relationships with other elementary educators committed to climate change education!

Learn more and apply today!

Educators and the general public are invited to join NOAA Ocean Exploration in a live, online professional learning event this November. Join us to learn about the vast arena of modern ocean technologies used to explore our deep and open ocean.

This event will be offered twice in various time zones to engage educators in 6-12 grades, their students, and the ocean-interested public iacross the United States. All are welcome to attend either showing:

• Tuesday, November 7, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. EST
• Thursday, November 9, 2023 | 8:30 p.m. EST

Register today for the date and time that best suits your schedule.

Learn more about NOAA Ocean Exploration Professional Development Opportunities.

This NOAA Ocean Exploration professional learning event is offered in partnership with the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography's Inner Space Center through the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

From leading conservation projects that protect their ancestral territories to advocating for sustainable practices and environmental justice, indigenous women have long been at the forefront of shaping the environmental movement. However, recognition of their leadership and their representation in decision-making roles is lacking. Register now to join a conversation with indigenous women who are leading sustainability and environmental justice efforts in their communities and creating practices and policies that allow indigenous women to thrive.

Join Paleontological Research Institute's Director of Teacher Programming, Don Haas for an investigation of a gallon of gasoline, the scale of things, and  how we can bring deeper understandings of climate change to broader audiences. Gain a more visceral understanding of the urgency of climate change coupled with strategies for addressing the problem and the associated negative emotions.

Using the agenda and linked resources, learn strategies for:

• Social mathematics: a strategy for making really large and really small numbers easier to grasp;
• Climate action as a multi-tool (for making ourselves and the world better);
• The essential role of honesty in climate communication;
• The value of reframing generally and specifically highlighting the role of fire in climate change; and; More!

The broadcast is intended for educators across disciplines and across the career span, from pre-service teachers to veteran educators.

Access this broadcast today!

Youth ages 13-25 are invited to join the 2023 EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit: Creating Comm-Ocean! This special event will unite young ocean advocates in cities around the world throughout the weekend of November 4-5, and digitally through an online session, to learn more about ocean-based climate solutions, develop skills to advance ocean climate action on a global scale, and directly share lived experiences, perspectives, and priorities for advancing ocean climate action with government officials, while building connections with fellow youth leaders.

Find a Summit location near you and register for this special event.

Limited spaces are available at each site, and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Register TODAY to reserve your space!

Explore the Submission Requirements to learn more about the Categories

For Grades 6-12

The glow worm colonies of New Zealand's Waitomo Caves imitate stars to confuse flying insects, then trap them in sticky snares and eat them alive. Check out this lesson.

Register now for the new Explorer Classroom Wildlife Series and immerse learners in an exciting five-week program to explore wildlife globally, while taking action locally!

The Explorer Classroom Wildlife Series will run weekly from November 2 – December 7, 2023, featuring explorers who have dedicated their lives to wildlife protection and conservation. Participating classrooms should be in grades 3-8 (ages 8-14).

Learn more about all the upcoming opportunities and register to join one today!

EPA’s Office of Environmental Education has announced a new grant competition for locally-focused environmental education programs. EPA will award grants between $50,000-$100,000 each, in each of EPA’s 10 Regions, for a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. Through this program, EPA will provide financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques to increase environmental literacy and encourage behaviors that benefit the environment in local communities, especially underserved communities.

Find details on how to apply here.  (See the webinar recording on the information page to learn more!)

Diversifying Ocean Sciences is a free, year-long hybrid program for people to hone their ocean science skills, build their network, and receive mentorship.

Purpose: to provide folks with a stepping stone into marine science who are otherwise struggling to break into the field.

Who: 30 participants will  participate in one of four concentrations (Estuary Science, Deep Sea Science, Coastal Science or Aquarium Science). The experience will culminate with a week long hands-on intensive in-person (on site) workshop and a week long shoreside (on site) or remote experience during summer 2024.

Pay/Stipend:  travel is covered and participants receive a small stipend of $1000 per week of in-person time to offset any lost wages due to participating in the program.

Learn more and apply today.

Apply by: December 4, 2023 for internships that start as early as January;

Apply by: January 22, 2024 for internships beginning April to December

Apply by: January 1, 2024

Reef Environmental Education Foundation announces its REEF Educator in the Field Fellowship, an exciting opportunity for all educators to gain hands-on experience with ocean citizen science. They will join other citizen scientist volunteers to learn about marine life and conduct fish population surveys while scuba diving or snorkeling as part of the REEF Volunteer Fish Survey Project in Bonaire at Buddy Dive Resort on July 20-27, 2024. REEF will cover the total cost of the Field Survey Trip, including meals and air transportation up to $1,200.  Click here for complete trip details. The recipient can also earn continuing education credits from University of California at San Diego.

Learn more and apply here. For any questions regarding the Fellowship please email explorers@REEF.org