Find information about educational opportunities that are available throughout NOAA.
The 2022 GOES Virtual Science Fair (VSF) will accepts projects from October through April. Students can participate and submit individual projects from home or in small teams with classmates. The main requirement is using data from GOES-16 or GOES-17 to investigate weather and natural hazards. There will be three winning teams OR individuals: middle school, high school or grades 13/14 (community college or university).
Students from the winning teams will receive $25 gift cards.
Contact: Margaret Mooney, margaret.mooney@ssec.wisc.edu
The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) is hosting a week-long residential summer camp for high school students (since 1991!). Due to COVID-19 safety considerations, CIMSS is creating an online learning experience for summer 2021. For the week of June 21-24, 2021, CIMSS invites high school students to join them virtually to learn about basic meteorology, satellite remote sensing, severe weather, and climate change. Tune in to daily weather briefs to enter the Friday weather forecast contest.
Contact: Margaret Mooney, margaret.mooney@ssec.wisc.edu
NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) host an online weather camp for high school students each summer. Participation is limited to the first 50 high school students who apply. Camp dates and registration links are updated in February each year
Contact: Margaret Mooney, margaret.mooney@ssec.wisc.edu
Endangered Species Day (the third Friday in May) is an annual day of celebration for the public to learn about endangered and threatened species and what we can all do to help them. Every May-June, NOAA Fisheries participates in several Endangered Species Day events and also holds their own annual Marine Endangered Species Art Contest.
Important dates: Art contest entries are due in the spring of each year.
The Geosciences Bridge Program offers a 6- week paid internship for graduating high school students, particularly from underrepresented groups, planning to pursue careers in a field of geoscience. The interns:
- Reside in the UMES residence halls (housing and meals are provided), accompanied by trained resident assistants.
- Participate in lectures and field trips with hands-on activities in areas of geoscience such as atmospheric science, biogeochemistry, civil and environmental engineering, environmental science, marine biology, marine chemistry, marine geology, physical oceanography, remote sensing/GIS and related fields.
- Enroll in either College Algebra or Calculus I (dependent upon math placement test score) and Freshman Seminar course.
- Receive $500 per week, paid bi-weekly and reimbursement for travel to/from University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).
Eligibility: High school seniors who are entering their first year of an undergraduate degree program in the fall. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum 2.7 GPA.
Important dates: Applications due in the spring of every year.
The GLOBE International Virtual Science Symposium (IVSS) is a way for primary through undergraduate students from all GLOBE countries to showcase their research and hard work. With GLOBE, students learn the practices of science through hands-on investigations in their own communities, sparking their curiosity and interest in science. This often leads to inquiries that help solve real-world problems and further understanding of our global environment. It's time for your students to show the world what they've learned!
Projects are accepted January through March 10, 2023.
LiMPETS is a citizen science program that monitors the coastal ecosystems of California and helps youth develop a scientific understanding of the ocean. LiMPETS monitors the biology in rocky intertidal and sandy beach ecosystems and aims to provide publicly accessible, scientifically sound, long-term data to inform marine resource management and the scientific community.
Bring the excitement of deep sea exploration LIVE to your classroom, science center, or community events! Shipboard interaction capabilities aboard Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus enable students or the public to engage in a unique two-way, live Q&A dialogue with scientists, engineers, and educators of the Corps of Exploration. Live interactions are available free to any classroom or community audiences to introduce learners to the excitement of ocean exploration and increase access to career role models, thanks to the support of Ocean Exploration Trust's (OET) education partners.
Ship-to-Shore connections are available daily through December 19, 2023. Available across time zones worldwide, subject to ship schedule.
Contact Kelly Guarino, OET Education Program Coordinator, with questions: kelly@oet.org
The National Weather Service (NWS) National School Outreach team is ready to teach and answer your students' weather questions. Whether it is learning about weather basics, severe weather, the sun or space weather, or any other topic the teacher needs covered, the NWS, through Google Meet, Zoom, or Skype, jumps into the classroom to help teach these topics to elementary through high school students.
Contact: Sarah Atkins: sarah.atkins@noaa.gov and Robin Fox: robin.fox@noaa.gov
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 opportunities? Do you want to connect with like-minded youth and become an environmental leader in your community? Apply to the NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador Program!
Eligibility: Open to ages 12-18
Application deadline: January 6, 2023
Contact: sanctuary.education@noaa.gov
Explore the mysteries of our oceans and atmosphere! Held at NOAA’s Seattle Sand Point facility each July, NOAA Science Camp offers hands-on science-learning opportunities for middle and high school students.
Ocean Guardian Programs are designed to encourage children to explore their natural surroundings to form a sense of personal connection to the ocean and/or watersheds in which they live. Find out more about the activity book, kids club and more.
Contact: sanctuary.education@noaa.gov
Regeneron International Science and Engineering Festival (ISEF) occurs annually and is the largest international pre-college science competition. NOAA sponsors Regeneron ISEF as a Special Award Organization, offering cash awards and certificates signed by the NOAA Administrator for students demonstrating outstanding science projects, as well as additional awards for science communication, emerging scientists, self-starters, community engagement, or passion projects. NOAA also offers awards at the local and regional U.S. science fairs that feed into ISEF. Open to 9 – 12 grade students, must attend a school in the United States (including territories) to be eligible for the NOAA awards at the ISEF competition.
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship and mentoring program for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing the disciplines of fisheries science, marine biology, and STEM related fields, and is sponsored by the American Fisheries Society (AFS).
Our mission is to increase diversity within the fisheries professions. The principal goal of the Hutton Program is to stimulate interest in careers in fisheries science and management among groups underrepresented in the fisheries professions, including minorities and women. Selected students known as “Hutton Scholars,” are matched and mentored by a fisheries professional to enjoy an 8-week hands-on fisheries science summer experience in a marine and/or freshwater setting.
Geographic focus: Nationwide