NOAA Education Strategic Plan 2009-2029

The NOAA Education Strategic Plan 2009-2029 is a national sectoral strategic plan of the United States of America. Its main objective is to provide high-level guidance for the implementation of the America COMPETES Act mandate toward the realization of NOAA ’s education vision.
More specifically, it contains the following goals and outcomes: Goal 1: environmental literacy - An environmentally literate public supported by a continuum of lifelong formal and informal education and outreach opportunities in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate sciences. Outcome 1.1 - NOAA education programs are developed and refined using the best available research on the effectiveness of environmental and science education. Outcome 1.2 - Educators understand and use environmental literacy principles. Outcome 1.3 - Educators, students, and/or the public collect and use ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate data in inquiry and evidence-based activities. Outcome 1.4 - Lifelong learners are provided with informal science education opportunities focused on ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate topics. Outcome 1.5 - NOAA works cooperatively to maximize the impact of federal investment in ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, weather, and climate education. Outcome 1.6 - NOAA’s Education Community functions in a unified manner and is coordinated with agency extension, training, outreach, and communications programs to fully engage NOAA audiences.
Goal 2: Workforce Development - A future workforce, reflecting the diversity of the Nation, skilled in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and other disciplines critical to NOAA’s mission. Outcome 2.1 - A diverse and qualified pool of applicants, particularly from underrepresented groups, pursues student and professional opportunities for career development in NOAA mission-critical disciplines. Outcome 2.2 - NOAA’s employees support programs and activities for students and teachers to learn about and explore NOAA science and stewardship. Outcome 2.3 - A diverse pool of students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and other fields critical to NOAA’s mission connect to career paths at NOAA and in related organizations.