Events & conferences

The 2022 GOES Virtual Science Fair (VSF) will be accepting projects from October 2021 to May 2022. 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

NOAA offers a "Taking the Pulse of the Planet" award at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and at the local and regional U.S. science fairs that feed into ISEF. The award recognizes outstanding student projects in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences.

NOAA employees and grantees offer a variety of workshops, presentations, exhibition hall booths, resources, and giveaways at the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA). NMEA brings together educators of both fresh and salt water in regional chapters and at an annual national conference. NMEA also publishes a quarterly magazine titled Current: The Journal of Marine Education.

The National Ocean Sciences Bowl, managed by The Consortium for Ocean Leadership, is a nationally recognized and highly acclaimed high school academic competition that provides a forum for talented students to test their knowledge of the marine sciences including biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. Teams consist of a coach and 4–5 students in grades 9–12.

NOAA employees and grantees offer a variety of workshops, presentations, exhibition hall booths, resources, and giveaways at the regional and national conferences.

NOAA employees and grantees offer a variety of workshops, presentations, exhibition hall booths, resources, and giveaways at the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) conference. NAAEE is a leader in promoting excellence in environmental education. Their activities include an annual conference, publications on effective practices, professional development and networking services, and advocating for environmental education.

Science Olympiad is an academic competition for students in grades K-12. NOAA has teamed up with Science Olympiad to provide in-depth and up-to-date resources for several events. NOAA employees also assist in supervising events at competitions and offering workshops for coaches.

The USA Science and Engineering Festival consists of one large event in Washington, D.C., and several smaller events throughout the country. NOAA has a booth at the main festival, which is held every two years in the spring. The festival hosts hundreds of exhibitors, hands-on activities, performers, and speakers to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.