NOAA Education social media archives: October-December 2021

You don't have to be on social media to be in the know! See what we've shared.

A graphic showing how winter precipitation forms. Snow forms when the temperature is below 32 degrees F from the cloud to the ground. Sleet forms if a layer of warm air causes snowflakes to turn to rain, but then another layer of below 32 degrees F causes droplets to freeze before reaching the ground. Freezing rain happens when a larger layer of warm air causes the snowflakes to melt, and they refreeze when hitting the ground. Rain never refreezes.
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
How winter precipitation forms
The Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation story is depicted in this mural by Kahi Ching and prominently displayed at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center.​ Sea stars, fish, and an octopus are seen in ocean waves and a sunset in the background.
Thursday, December 23, 2021
NOAA Live! 4 Kids Webinar: Born is the coral polyp, a creation story from Hawai'i
An illustrated holiday card featuring a hermit crab with a holiday decorated shell.There is a NOAA logo at the top right of the card, and writing on the card that reads, “Home for the holidays.” At the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Home for the holidays.
An illustrated holiday card featuring waves in the sea. Within the waves, the card reads, “We hope your holidays are swell.” A NOAA logo is on the top right, and at the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
We hope your holidays are swell.
An illustrated holiday card featuring a lopsided ocean buoy in rough seas. There is a NOAA logo on the buoy and writing on the card that reads “Oh buoy, what a year.” At the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Oh buoy, what a year!
An illustrated holiday card featuring an ocean ray. There is a NOAA logo at the bottom right of the card, and writing on the card that reads, “May your rays be merry and bright.” The card is framed with a string of holiday lights. At the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
May your rays be merry and bright this holiday season!
Learn about density by making a fancy layered hot cocoa or find out the "secc-tea" depth of your perfect up of tea with our oceanography in a mug activities. A mug with the NOAA logo on it and a miniature secchi disk is suspended above it. (The secchi disk is made of a white disk with black on opposite quarters. It is hanging from a string that has markings every centimeter.)
Monday, December 20, 2021
Oceanography in a mug
An illustrated holiday card featuring a mug full of hot chocolate and marshmallows. There is a NOAA logo on the mug and writing on the mug that reads, “Happy holidays.” The card reads, “When can your hot chocolate predict the weather? When it’s muggy out!” At the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Monday, December 20, 2021
When can your hot chocolate predict the weather?
California B-WET Funding Opportunity. Award information: Amount: up to $100,000 per year. Duration: 1 to 3 years. Types of projects: Systemic Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) implementation in school districts; teacher professional development for MWEEs; and MWEEs for students. Eligibility: K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, Institutions of higher education, Community-based and nonprofit organizations, State or local government agencies, Interstate agencies, Indian tr
Friday, December 17, 2021
The California B-WET funding opportunity is open!
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Friday, December 17, 2021
Apply for the NOAA B-WET program!
Pacific Northwest B-WET Competition. Award information: Amount: $65,000-$150,000 per year. Duration: up to 2 years. Eligibility: Serves Oregon and Washington, K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, Institutions of higher education, Community-based and nonprofit organizations, Regional, state, or local government agencies, Interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applications are due February 4, 2022. For more information, visit www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
The Pacific Northwest NOAA B-WET grant opportunity is open!
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Apply for the NOAA B-WET program!
California B-WET Funding Opportunity. Award information: Amount: up to $100,000 per year. Duration: 1 to 3 years. Types of projects: Systemic Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) implementation in school districts; teacher professional development for MWEEs; and MWEEs for students. Eligibility: K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, Institutions of higher education, Community-based and nonprofit organizations, State or local government agencies, Interstate agencies, Indian tr
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
The California B-WET funding opportunity is open!
Hawaii B-WET Funding Opportunity. Award information: Amount: $50,000 to $150,000. Duration: Up to 24 months. Types of projects: Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) for students; teacher professional development for MWEEs. Eligibility: Conducting projects in Hawaii, K-12 public and independent schools and school systems, Institutions of higher education, Commercial and nonprofit organizations, State or local government agencies, and Indian tribal governments. Applications are due February 25
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
The Hawaii B-WET funding opportunity is open!
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Apply for the NOAA B-WET program!
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Monday, December 13, 2021
Apply for the NOAA B-WET program!
Vincent Saba kneels on a boat alongside a large leatherback sea turtle with a tracking device attached to its carapace.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
NOAA Live! 4 Kids webinar on December 14!
An illustrated holiday card featuring a decorated kelp tree with a sea star at the top. There are presents in the sand under the kelp tree, a NOAA logo, and writing that reads “Happy holidays from the NOAA Office of Education.” At the bottom a link reads noaa.gov/education.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Happy Holidays from the NOAA Office of Education
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
NOAA B-WET Gulf of Mexico funding opportunity is now open!
Three glass eels. Text reads, "Episode 7: The Eel Ordeal," with logos for NOAA, Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers, and Octonauts.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Listen to episode 7 of the NOAA and the Octonauts Podcast: The Eel Ordeal
Droplets of water have formed on the clear lid of a container of leftovers. Larger droplets form the shape of the NOAA logo.
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Cooking up a storm: Atmospheric science in your kitchen
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
NOAA B-WET Hawaii funding opportunities are now OPEN!
A group of people hold a long net while standing in a semicircle in a small bay.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
National Native American Month
Droplets of water have formed on the clear lid of a container of leftovers. Larger droplets form the shape of the NOAA logo.
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Cooking up a storm: Atmospheric science in your kitchen
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
NOAA B-WET Chesapeake funding opportunities are now OPEN!
NOAA B-WET competitions are now open! The B-WET program is an environmental education grant program that promotes place-based experiential learning for K–12 students and related professional development for teachers. For open competitions and more information visit https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/bwet/apply.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
NOAA B-WET Pacific Northwest funding opportunity is now OPEN!
Headshot of Derrick
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
NOAA Scholar highlight: Derrick Seegars
Lake Oroville, the second-largest state reservoir in northern California, experienced low water levels during the recent exceptional California drought.
Monday, November 15, 2021
#NOAALive4Kids webinar: Drought in the West: It's a Very Dry Topic
A single sea urchin and crab on the sea floor with logos for NOAA, Coastal Ecosystems Learning Centers, and Octonauts.
Monday, November 1, 2021
Listen to episode 6 of the NOAA and the Octonauts Podcast: The Crab and the Urchin
Five pumpkins carved with different NOAA-themed templates including an anglerfish, a jellyfish, a tornado, a bony fish, and a ship and plane. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Wrap up #NOAASpookyScience
A map of Davidson Seamount with the area enclosed in a red square. Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is also enclosed in a red area to show location. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Saturday, October 30, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Davidson Seamount
Four pumpkins with black painted graphics on them of a rain cloud, a spiral, a lightning bolt, and a satellite. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Friday, October 29, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Paint your own SciJinks pumpkins!
A screenshot of a video with a still image of a whale carcass on the bottom of the ocean. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience, Deep Dive Greatest Hits.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Deep dive greatest hits
Spiky-looking papillae that cover the inside of leatherback sea turtle throats. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Leatherback sea turtle throat
Phil Moorhouse holds up a red Vermilion rockfish with bulging white eyes. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Look what the net dragged in
Two people stand along a stream. One is holding a data sheet and a tube of liquid held up next to the sheet to compare colors. The second person is filming the other with a tablet. Both wear protective masks and gloves.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
2021 B-WET awards
A giant squid emerges from the deep ocean and wraps its tentacles around the underwater camera. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Monday, October 25, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Rare footage of giant squid
Eni poses next to an academic poster, the title of which reads "2021 Hollings scholar report into shipping emissions and abatement technology"
Monday, October 25, 2021
2021 NOAA Scholar highlights: Eni Owoeye
Bristol Bay red king crab tagged with an acoustic tag.
Monday, October 25, 2021
#NOAALive4Kids webinar: The crab-tivating life of crustaceans: Where do they go? How do they grow? What do we know?
A satellite image of the moon. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Sunday, October 24, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: An ode to the Moon
See caption for graph description. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Saturday, October 23, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: What is a dead zone?
Three headshots: one of Harold Gamarro, Shanelle Haughton, and Nina Mauney
Friday, October 22, 2021
NOAA Office of Education announces inaugural class of EPP/MSI Graduate Fellowship Program
The watery remains of a once verdant woodland. Dead trees and broken limbs fill the beach. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Friday, October 22, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: What is a ghost forest?
Bathysaurus, a long eel-like fish sits on a sandy ocean bottom. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Thursday, October 21, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Things that go bump in the deep sea
A foggy area with the sun breaking through. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Obscuration types
A group of students walk through a wooded area. Students carry a clipboard and other scientific data collection tools.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Watch this video to learn more about Great Lakes B-WET!
The lines seen here show the paths taken by ships using sonar to map small sections of the ocean floor in greater detail. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Did I find the lost underwater civilization of Atlantis?
Satellite image of the tip of Antarctica. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Monday, October 18, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: What is the "Bloop?"
Stern section of City of Atlanta shipwreck. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Exploring shipwrecks
A poster showing a graphic of a fallen whale at the bottom of the ocean and organisms that feed on the whale. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Saturday, October 16, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Whale fall poster
A poster of different space weather phenomena. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience.
Friday, October 15, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Space weather phenomena
Tip 5. Keep your grades up and seek new opportunities. Your GPA must stay above the scholarship requirement throughout the scholarship. New experiences can help you choose an internship if you receive the award.
Friday, October 15, 2021
After preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #5: Keep your grades up and seek new opportunities.
Tip 4. Check in with your references. Most references are asked to write many letters of recommendation around the same time and appreciate a polite reminder now and then.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
After preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #4: Check in with your references.
A view out the window of an airplane that shows the eye of Hurricane Henri. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Hurricane hunter footage
An umbrella octopus swims through the deep ocean. The octopus is a cloudy pinkish-white color. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Deep-sea octopuses
Women of Color in STEM conference: A multicultural event
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
NOAA’s 2021 Women of Color in STEM awardees
Tip 3. Provide your references with context and prompts. Your references can better write a meaningful letter if you provide: information about the scholarship, your resume, why you are a good fit for the program.
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
After preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #3: Provide your references with context and prompts.
A graphic of a satellite in orbit with the moon in the background. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Zombie satellites
Tip 2. Choose your references thoughtfully. Choose someone who knows you well. Your references should be able to speak to your skills, interests, and drive in a genuine and specific way.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
After preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #2: Choose your references thoughtfully.
Tip 1. Proofread and use your institution’s resources. Misspellings and grammatical errors are common mistakes. Proofread your own application and use resources like your institution’s scholarship office or career center.
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
After preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #1: Proofread and use your institution’s resources.
A witch on a broomstick flies in front of the full moon. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Monday, October 11, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: America's spooktacular October climate
A net floating and tangled up in the ocean weighs close to 1.5 tons. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Sunday, October 10, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: The spooky truth about ghost fishing
A streamlined grey fish swims in the deep ocean. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Saturday, October 9, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Chimaera
A museum room with mummies displayed on tables. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Friday, October 8, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Climate and mummies
A person wearing a hardhat and safety vest kneels down to pack soil around a tall, green plant. Others in the background carry mulch from a wheelbarrow and large pile with shovels.
Friday, October 8, 2021
NOAA Live! 4 Kids webinar on October 19
Tip 5. Talk about why you are interested in a NOAA opportunity. When you are writing your essay, be sure to make a connection with NOAA. Explain why NOAA’s mission resonates with you.
Friday, October 8, 2021
While preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #5: Talk about why you are interested in a NOAA opportunity.
A sea spider, which has eight long legs. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Thursday, October 7, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Creatures of the Deep: Sea spider
Tip 4. Don’t repeat your resume in the essay. The essay is one of the best places to make your application stand out. You have the chance to put your experiences into context: Think, what can’t be learned just from reading my resume?
Thursday, October 7, 2021
While preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #4: Don’t repeat your resume in the essay.
Five pumpkins carved with different NOAA-themed templates including an anglerfish, a jellyfish, a tornado, a bony fish, and a ship and plane. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Halloween pumpkin carving templates
Tip 3. Find the value in your experiences. All experiences develop your skills, including: customer service, officer positions in high school or college clubs, management positions, high school thesis.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
While preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #3: Find the value in your experiences.
An illustration of different kinds of transient luminous events (TLEs). Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Severe weather 101, Lightning types
Tip 2. Promote yourself. Talking yourself up is an essential part of creating a strong application. If you are struggling, ask someone you trust why they think you are a good candidate for this program.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
While preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #2: Promote yourself.
Illustration of deep marine sea creatures. Text: We are the creatures of nightmares. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Monday, October 4, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Creatures of a whale fall
Tip 1. Start early. Starting your application as early as you can is important. You will need time to: gather information, secure your transcripts and references, write your essay, proofread your application
Monday, October 4, 2021
While preparing your application ... Scholarship application tip #1: Start early.
A payara, commonly referred to as a “vampire fish,” with large bottom fangs and sharp long teeth. Border of the photo is black with orange sea creature graphics of octopus tentacles and an anglerfish. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Sunday, October 3, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: What is a vampire squid and a vampire fish?
A photo of a bat hanging on a cave. Border of the photo is black with orange atmospheric graphics of a lightning bolt and a tornado. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Saturday, October 2, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Going batty for ancient climate data
Four photos of frightening looking fish on a framed template. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Friday, October 1, 2021
#NOAASpookyScience: Spooktacular Smartphone Wallpaper Gallery
Five pumpkins carved with different NOAA-themed templates including an anglerfish, a jellyfish, a tornado, a bony fish, and a ship and plane. Text: 31 days of #NOAASpookyScience with the NOAA logo.
Friday, October 1, 2021
31 days of #NOAASpookyScience
Melissa Poe holds an oyster shucking knife and cutting board, ready to harvest and shuck shellfish on a mudflat.
Friday, October 1, 2021
#AquacultureWeek: From sea to table, Melissa Poe
Sean Waugh stands in an open field holding a weather balloon. A weather instrument is in the foreground and NOAA trucks are in the background.
Friday, October 1, 2021
The NOAA Live! 4 Kids webinar series is back
Tip 5. Practice your elevator pitch. Getting your pitch down will help you identify what makes you unique and concisely describe your career goals.
Friday, October 1, 2021
Scholarship application tip #5: Practice your elevator pitch
A red giant squid is suspended from the ceiling and in the center of the photo to demonstrate scale of the organism.
Friday, October 1, 2021
Listen to Episode 5: Giant Squid