UCAR Center for Science Education

Earlier this month, members of our team had the opportunity to present at a workshop hosted by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and The Climate Resiliency Center of the Piedmont Triad. This workshop focused on showcasing a variety of activities and resources in Earth System Science (ESS) for teachers, as well as encouraging students to pursue ESS careers and degrees through one of NCA&T's programs. Solomon Billign, NCA&T Professor of Physics and lead coordinator for the workshop, shared that many participating teachers were previously unaware of the university’s Atmospheric Sciences program and often directed students to programs in other states, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness of local ESS opportunities. Thank you to everyone who made this workshop possible; collaborations like these help strengthen connections between science, education, and community, while inspiring the next generation of Earth system scientists.

With the rainy weather this week in Boulder, we can’t help but enjoy the Mesa Lab in the fog! In fact, the Mesa Lab’s site was chosen due to its advantages for studying particular atmospheric phenomena like storms and mountain air currents– overall, it’s an excellent research environment! ⛈️ #MesaLabMonday Learn more about choosing the Mesa Lab’s location from the NSF NCAR Archives: https://lnkd.in/ezJr4hHK

At the intersection of creative inspiration and data collection with FLUXNET towers is fluxART. Join us for a special Explorer Series event discovering creative insights and sharing multimedia artwork with Faculty Fellow Maoya Bassiouni and artists Julia Oldham and Mallery Quetawki. 🗓️: Wednesday, May 27 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm MDT 📍: Mesa Lab and online webcast Register: https://lnkd.in/eqcyd3jM

Wildfires are commonly characterized by the total number of acres burned rather than the rate at which they spread. However, studying the speed of a fire adds another important dimension that can help scientists better understand, manage, and prevent fires in the future. 🔥 Some wildfires, known as “fast fires,” can spread rapidly across landscapes, creating dangerous conditions for both communities and emergency response personnel. Check out our new Learning Zone article, Fast Fires: A Compelling Way to Understand Wildfires, to explore the factors that influence how quickly a wildfire spreads and why fire speed matters: https://lnkd.in/gnPHb8Pk

Museums help connect us to the world around us—and at the NSF NCAR - The National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa Lab Visitor Center, discovery is happening every day! ✨ 🔬 From interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences to stunning views of the Flatirons, the Mesa Lab Visitor Center invites learners of all ages to explore Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and the research that helps us better understand our planet. Whether you’re curious about hurricanes, wildfires, the Sun and space weather, or the technology scientists use to study our changing world, there’s always something new to learn. Plan your visit and explore the science behind our powerful planet! 🌎 #InternationalMuseumDay https://lnkd.in/gdD8zhm3

Join us June 9-10, 2026, for From Fossils to Forecasts, a two-day professional development workshop designed for K-12 educators interested in exploring connections between Colorado's ancient past, present, and future. At the CU Museum of Natural History, you’ll go behind the scenes in the collections to investigate how fossils and environmental records help us understand how ecosystems change over time. Then, at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab, you’ll explore how scientists study Earth systems and dive into classroom-ready investigations that bring these concepts to life for your students. Whether you teach science or are looking for new interdisciplinary classroom ideas, this workshop offers engaging activities, scientific resources, and opportunities to connect with fellow educators. Leave inspired, informed, and equipped with practical strategies you can implement right away! Learn more or register for the workshop: https://lnkd.in/ghTCmK86

Last week, our team visited a new member of the National Ozone Garden Network: the Walter Anderson Museum of Art! 🌿🎨 During the visit, we met with the Director of Arts and Environmental Education to tour the museum and the new garden site, discuss growing ozone-sensitive plants, and help prepare for the growing season. Walter Anderson’s artwork was deeply inspired by the coastal ecosystems of Mississippi and his time spent exploring Horn Island. This new ozone garden continues that connection to the natural world by using plants to help us better understand our local environment and air quality. We’re excited to welcome the Walter Anderson Museum of Art to the National Ozone Garden Network alongside our collaborators at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian #AirQualityAwarenessWeek

Last chance to join us TODAY! Don’t miss our Rising Heat professional development workshop happening this afternoon—designed to help educators explore the science of extreme heat and how it impacts our communities. You’ll walk away with: ☀️ Classroom-ready resources 🌍 Real-world environmental connections 🧠 New ways to engage students on heat and resilience Sign up now! https://lnkd.in/gyZWA6Fe

What is a Moon Tree? 🌑 🌳 In 1971, NASA launched the Apollo 14 mission. Command Pilot Stuart Roosa chose to bring tree seeds to the moon and back in his personal preference kit. Once back on Earth, these seeds were planted across the United States, and they became known as Moon Trees! In celebration of #ArborDay 2024, The GLOBE Program planted an American Sycamore second-generation Moon Tree from the Moon Tree Foundation at the NSF NCAR - The National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa Lab. These trees are a living legacy of scientific achievement, and inspire us to reach beyond the stars—while remembering our roots here on Earth. 🌍