NOAA at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) conference

Modeling the Deep: Engaging Students in Ocean Exploration Through Hands-On NOAA Science Demos

Thursday, April 16, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle
Suraida Nanez-James (NOAA Ocean Exploration)

This session will demonstrate how middle and high school students can use science models and interactive activities from NOAA Ocean Exploration lessons to visualize and explain complex ocean processes such as hydrothermal vent formation, deep-sea food webs, and seafloor mapping techniques. Participants will engage with modeling strategies that align with NGSS practices, helping students develop scientific reasoning by predicting, testing, and revising hypotheses. By modeling real-world ocean phenomena, students strengthen their understanding of systems thinking, scale, and cause-and-effect relationships—mirroring the work of professional ocean scientists. Attendees will leave with ready-to-implement activities that deepen student curiosity about Earth’s least explored environments.

🖼️ Poster session

Dive into Deep-Sea Habitats with Real-World Science

Thursday, April 16, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle
Sasha Francis (NOAA Gulf Restoration Program/National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)

For formal or informal educators working with all ages and audiences! Get FREE access to ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned activities to build meaningful connections to ocean ecosystems through real-world science. Species ID video games, mock coral collections with remotely-operated vehicles, deep-sea mission board games, scavenger hunts, coloring pages, animated shorts, live connections with scientists at sea, and engaging videos. Learn about colorful corals, fascinating creatures, human impacts, seafloor mapping, underwater robots, and more through work happening right now to restore deep-sea coral communities injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These resources serve diverse audiences including classroom teachers, informal educators, families, communities, and adults looking for careers in marine science. See demonstrations of interactive educational materials and highlights from livestream broadcasts to easily implement these free activities and resources for all ages.

🖼️ Poster session

Constructing the Tree of Life + More!

Thursday, April 16, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle
Rick Reynolds

Explore the evolution of life on Earth by constructing a "tree of life" -- metaphorical art that arranges groups of organisms by characteristics and when scientists think they first evolved. Build from life's beginnings in the ocean to beloved animals living today using cut out puzzle pieces and/or an interactive online puzzle. The first 30 participants can even receive beautiful "Tree of Life" posters by award-winning artist Ray Troll, complements of Shape of Life [shapeoflife.org]! Learn about other free lessons created by Engaging Every Student with Shape of Life and other partners, including one with an interactive animation about the tree of life and cartoon-creator activity, and the "Exploring Ocean Mysteries" curriculum created in partnership with NOAA and National Geographic Society.

🤝 Partner session 🖼️ Poster session

NOAA Ocean Exploration: Hands-on demonstrations that model deep-sea phenomena

Thursday, April 16, 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - 304 D
Suraida Nanez-James (NOAA Ocean Exploration)

This session will demonstrate how middle and high school students can use science models and interactive activities from NOAA Ocean Exploration lessons to visualize and explain complex ocean processes such as hydrothermal vent formation, deep-sea food webs, and seafloor mapping techniques. Participants will engage with modeling strategies that align with NGSS practices, helping students develop scientific reasoning by predicting, testing, and revising hypotheses. By modeling real-world ocean phenomena, students strengthen their understanding of systems thinking, scale, and cause-and-effect relationships—mirroring the work of professional ocean scientists. Attendees will leave with ready-to-implement activities that deepen student curiosity about Earth’s least explored environments.

💡 Exhibitor workshop

Dive into Deep-Sea Habitats with Real-World Science

Thursday, April 16, 3:40 PM - 4:40 PM, Anaheim Marriott - Platinum Ballroom 1
Sasha Francis (NOAA Gulf Restoration Program/National Marine Sanctuary Foundation)

Build meaningful connections to hard-to-reach ocean ecosystems through real-world science! Learn about colorful corals, fascinating creatures, human impacts, seafloor mapping, underwater robots, and more through work happening right now to restore deep-sea coral communities injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned activities include mock coral collections with remotely-operated vehicles, species ID video games, deep-sea mission board games, scavenger hunts, coloring pages, animated shorts, live connections with scientists at sea, and engaging videos. These resources serve diverse audiences including classroom teachers, informal educators, families, communities, and adults looking for careers in marine science. After hands-on demonstrations of interactive educational materials and a viewing of highlights from livestream broadcasts, participants will leave the session with a full understanding of how to use these free activities and resources for all ages.

🍎 Educator session

NOAA National Ocean Service: Hands-on Demos for Elementary Students

Friday, April 17, 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM, Anaheim Convention Center - 304 D
Symone Barkley (NOAA National Ocean Service)

NOAA’s Ocean Service has a number of activities and lesson plans focused on ocean and climate literacy. We also know the value of using multimedia in the learning settings to teach not only complex topics, but to also reach visual learners. A new component of our education materials will include hands-on demonstrations to accompany the lesson plans and activities that so many educators already use. This session will provide a sneak peek into the brand new videos and gauge interest on which topics should be prioritized for additional content.

💡 Exhibitor workshop

Use Games & Role Playing to help Students Understand how Communities can respond to Sea Level Rise

Friday, April 17, 1:20 PM - 2:20 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - 264 B, North Building
Margaret Holzer (NESTA), Peggy Steffen (NESTA)

Over the long history of our planet sea levels have always been changing. After the last ice age, sea level rose about 120 meters or about 4 feet per century. We have real time data records about sea level rising the past 150 years ago and the impacts of sea level rise are being felt along the coastlines of the United States and its territories. Attendees will learn about where to find information about the causes of sea level rise and local information about the amount of rise for a coastal locality. Attendees will then experience a role-playing simulation from NOAA, Beat the Uncertainty, that asks students to choose strategies that can help coastal communities to be more resilient with one of the most dangerous climate impacts of our time, sea level rise. The simulation is appropriate for upper elementary through adult ages. The results of the simulation provide opportunities for discussion on how coastal communities can be prepared in the face of sea level rise and severe weather.

🤝 Partner session 🍎 Educator session

STEAM Powered Careers: Free Storybooks and Ready-to-Use Lessons for Informal STEM Programs and Elementary Classrooms

Friday, April 17,  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - Exhibit Hall, Poster Session Aisle
Dr. Dieuwertje Kast 

This informal share-thon highlights the STEAM Powered Careers collection, a series of ten children’s books created with scientists and educators to introduce first–third graders to a wide range of STEAM careers and role models that reflect their communities. Participants will explore free, ready-to-use lesson plans that accompany each title, see examples of how the books have been used in out-of-school-time and afterschool settings, and receive links to download all ten books and lessons at no cost. The first attendees to visit the table (or contribute during the share-out, depending on the format) will also receive physical copies of select books to bring back to their programs.

🤝 Partner session 🖼️ Poster session

Two-Eyed Seeing in Action: Enriching Science Education with Indigenous and Western Perspectives

Friday, April 17, 2:40 PM - 3:40 PM, Anaheim Convention Center - 252 C, North Building
Amy Green, Angela Stoltz

Participants will take part in a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience co-created by university educators, Piscataway citizens, classroom teachers, informal educators, and NOAA. This collaborative curriculum weaves Indigenous knowledge systems with Western science, modeling inclusive, place-based approaches to K–12 science education. Guided by the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing (Marshall, 2004), viewing the strengths of Indigenous knowledge and Western science, the framework highlights the importance of representation and local environmental phenomena in learning. Through hands-on activities, participants will examine how ecocentric relationships with the natural world can foster conservation, sustainability, and stewardship. Centered on keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay, and especially the diamondback terrapin, the unit invites learners to connect ecology, culture, and care for future generations while advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

🤝 Partner session 🍎 Educator session

NOAA Data Lens Mini-Lessons: Practicing Durable Skills in Observation and Critical Thinking with Visual Thinking Strategies

Saturday, April 18, 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM, Anaheim Convention Center - 259 A, North Building

Hilary Peddicord (NOAA Science On a Sphere/CIRES)

Modern innovations in data visualization and infrastructure have made large datasets accessible to the public. Students must learn how to interpret these visualizations to excel in standardized testing and make informed decisions in today's data-driven world. NOAA Science On a Sphere's "Data Lens: Exploring Earth's Visual Stories" equips teachers with tools to help their students engage with and understand complex scientific data by using Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). Learn how VTS, an observation technique that was created in art museums decades ago, can help science teachers slow down the pace in the classroom and focus, openly on art and data visualizations in order to gain critical, critial thinking skills.

🍎 Educator session

Traveling Science Teacher: Come Learn about Opportunities at Your Fingertips

Saturday, April 18, 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM, Anaheim Marriott - Platinum Ballroom 9
Victoria Obenchain

Nothing invigorates sciences teachers more than nerding out with other scientists. As a science teacher I can say that!! But what if you could do it all over the US and the world? Come learn how. Not only will you hear about some of my experiences: such as my NOAA Teacher at Sea experience and my Fulbright TGC Senegal teaching experience, but you will learn about professional development opportunities with domestic and international travel opportunities for all you amazing science teachers. Come learn about opportunities, application dates, application tips and what all you might get a chance to take part in. From scientific cruises, geological digs, arctic research, restoration work, space camps, leading professional development to other teachers internationally and of course teaching in other countries. These experiences can invigorate your teaching, help you build fun and relevant curriculum and allow you to connect with a network of travel loving science teachers!

🤝 Partner session 🍎 Educator session