 Artwork by Kai R. (Grade 2, Hawai'i), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
It's the season of gratitude! I'm grateful for marine debris educators in all seasons, but as the year draws to a close, I am especially appreciative of all that you do to keep the sea free of debris. And what better way to celebrate the end of a year of marine debris education than with next year's calendar! Check out the 2024 Marine Debris Calendar, now available on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.
We have a newsletter packed to the gills with opportunities: From art contests and awards to fellowships and funding! In particular, I hope anyone who is part of a community group and/or institution that is underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened by marine debris checks out the Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Mini-Grants for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA). These awards (between $5,000-$7,500), administered by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation in cooperation with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, are intended to further DEIJA initiatives to address and investigate the adverse
impacts of marine debris by supporting marine debris prevention, research, monitoring, detection, response, removal, and coordination activities. Learn more in today's newsletter, or at the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation website.
Here's what you can find in this newsletter:
Funding Opportunities:
Student Opportunities:
Educator Opportunities:
And be sure to check out this issue's activity: Festive greeting cards made with upcycled egg cartons!
Enthusiastically,
Alexandria Gillen
NOAA Marine Debris Program Education Specialist
 The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument marine debris removal team removing derelict fishing nets (Credit: NOAA).
Are you part of a community group and/or institution that is underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened by marine debris? Is your community group and/or institution looking to create positive change by addressing issues caused by marine debris?
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, in cooperation with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, is excited to offer awards to support communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened and to promote
initiatives that investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris across the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States.
Typical awards sizes will range between $5,000 and $7,500. Projects may include marine debris prevention, research, monitoring, detection, response, removal, and coordination activities.
Proposals are due on December 18, 2023.
Best for: Educators, Non-formal audiences
Applicable Region(s): All U.S. States and Territories
 A wreath hanging on a wall made out of tree trimmings, flowers, pinecones, and other natural materials from both native and invasive plants found on Hawai'i Island (Credit: NOAA).
Holidays are a wonderful time, but also a time that can lead to mountains of unnecessary waste! The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to share some of the ways we have been keeping busy and getting ready for the holidays, including creative decoration and gift wrapping ideas, zero-waste gifts, and even reducing waste while traveling. Here are a few tips for a low-waste holiday season:
Learn more on the Marine Debris Program blog, and be sure to subscribe to the blog or the MDP Monthly Newsletter to get the latest updates!
Best for: Anyone
Applicable Region(s): Anywhere
 Download the 2024 Marine Debris Calendar from our website now! (Cover art by Magdalene F., Grade 8, Florida).
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2024 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from 13 students in kindergarten through eighth grade from 10 states, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.
Download the calendar now!
Best for: Anyone
Applicable Region(s): Anywhere
 Artwork by Jaemyn L. (Grade 6, Pennsylvania), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Annual Art Contest: The NOAA Marine Debris Program holds an annual art contest to reach K-8 students and help raise awareness about marine debris. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade from the United States and U.S. territories can submit artwork that answers the questions:
- How does marine debris impact the ocean and Great Lakes?
- What are you doing to help prevent marine debris?
For contest and submission guidelines, please visit our website and download the entry form. Enter today and you could see your artwork featured in our 2025 Marine Debris Calendar! So get crafty, get creative, and help us raise awareness about marine debris.
Highly Migratory Species Art Contest: NOAA Fisheries holds an annual art contest open to students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Through art, we hope to raise awareness about Atlantic highly migratory species (sharks, tunas, billfish, and swordfish) or “HMS.” Winning artwork is included in a calendar highlighting the importance of these species to healthy ecosystems and NOAA Fisheries’ successes in conservation through sustainable fisheries management. The 2024 HMS art contest will highlight Atlantic tunas. Details on entry requirements, submissions, winning artwork, and more can be found on the HMS Art Contest website.
Both contests close December 15, 2023.
Best for: Elementary School, Middle School, Non-formal Audiences
Applicable Region(s): All U.S. States and Territories
 Preventing marine debris by properly disposing of your waste is a great way to advocate for our ocean (Credit: J. Anitok).
Are you a youth passionate about the ocean and the natural environment? Are you looking for a way to develop the skills you need to engage in conservation and stewardship opportunities? Do you want to connect with like-minded youth and become an environmental leader at your school or in your community? Apply to the new NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program!
The NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador program provides a new level of engagement for youth aged 13-18 committed to ocean conservation and stewardship of our blue planet. We are looking for enthusiastic youth with new ideas and a unique perspective to learn more about America’s underwater treasures and to share their passion with others. Together we can make a difference in the conservation and stewardship of the ocean through marine protected areas, and enhanced ocean and climate literacy.
Applications due January 5, 2024.
Best for: Middle School, High School and Older, Non-formal Audiences
Applicable Region(s): All U.S. States and Territories
 Addressing marine debris is just one of many directions you can take in your graduate studies (Credit: George Mason University).
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program: The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries is seeking applications for the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program from individuals, particularly women and minorities, who due to financial constraints, may not otherwise be able to pursue an advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include, but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines. Applications are due December 20, 2023.
John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program: The Knauss Fellowship provides a unique educational experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The one-year paid program, which is sponsored by NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program, matches highly qualified graduate students with hosts in legislative and executive offices in the Washington, D.C., area. Applications for the 2025 fellowship year are due to your state's Sea Grant program February 15, 2024.
Best for: Graduate Students
Applicable Regions: All U.S. States and Territories
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan recently announced that EPA’s Office of Environmental Education is requesting applications for the 2024 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) and Presidential Innovation Awards for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). PEYA recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects from students in Grades K–12 that promote environmental awareness and encourage community involvement, and PIAEE recognizes outstanding Grade K–12 educators who integrate environmental education and place-based learning into school curricula and school facility management across the country.
Applications for both awards are due January 15, 2024.
Best for: Elementary School, Middle School, High School and Older, Educators
Applicable Regions: All U.S. States and Territories
 Preventing marine debris at school is one of many projects you can pursue with Bay Watershed Education and Training funding (Credit: One Cool Earth).
Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) funding is provided through competitive grants that promote Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). The B-WET program offers regional funding opportunities through local NOAA host offices. B-WET currently serves seven regions in the country. This regional approach allows B-WET to provide tailored grantee support and capacity building, as well as include place-based STEM resources and expertise and respond to local education and environmental priorities. Opportunities in several B-WET regions are now available!
Best for: Educators, Non-formal Audiences
Applicable Region(s): Hawai'i, Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico, Chesapeake Bay, New England, Great Lakes
Check out marine debris projects around the country at the "In Your Region" page.
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 Happy Holidays from NOAA! These snow-folks were made with upcycled egg cartons (Credit: NOAA).
Crafty cards are a great way to have students share holiday cheer with their family and community. And using upcycled materials can also turn those cards into an opportunity to share awareness about marine debris! Check out this project for how to use egg cartons to make creative and fun holiday cards.
Directions:
Supplies Needed:
- Egg cartons
- Construction paper
- Plain paper or cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue (hot glue or white craft glue)
- Paints and paint brushes
- Googly eyes, pom poms, or other craft decorations (optional)
 Get your supplies together! To save time, you can cut out your construction paper and egg carton pieces beforehand (Credit: NOAA).
Steps:
- Cut out your egg cartons into a variety of shapes. I used the egg cups for round pieces and the pyramids in between for tree shapes.
- Paint your pieces!
- Use construction paper to create backgrounds for your cards. You can also cut these out beforehand to save time.
- Once they are dry, glue your painted pieces onto your cards. I used hot glue to save time, but white glue will also work.
- Add any additional decorations, like googly eyes, antlers, or even mini-snowflakes.
- Write and send your seasonal messages!
 No need to put all your egg cartons in one basket - the possibilities for your holiday cards are endless! (Credit: NOAA).
Take it to the Next Level:
Challenge students to research facts about marine debris using the NOAA Marine Debris Program's Discover Marine Debris Page, and then include that fact in their holiday greetings!
 The best way to spread holiday cheer is to inspire your community with information and action to prevent marine debris (Credit: NOAA).
Looking for a craft from a previous newsletter? Check out our NOAA Marine Debris Program Newsletter Archive page to revisit all of our past activities.
Interested in more ways to help prevent marine debris at home, at school, or at the store? Dive into all kinds of ideas on our How to Help page.
Have any feedback on our content?
Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov if you have any questions, ideas, or hopes for our marine debris materials.
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