UCAR Center for Science Education
@ucarscied.bsky.social
Connecting educators, students, and the public to Earth science research conducted at NSF NCAR and UCAR.
#NSFfunded
scied.ucar.edu
#NSFfunded
scied.ucar.edu
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Hi we are UCAR SciEd!👋 We serve the geoscience community by amplifying and complementing the work of @ncar-ucar.bsky.social and member universities by reaching K-12 educators, university faculty, students, and the public through excellent educational programs & experiences. #NewHere #FirstPost (1/4)
For International Day of Education, we're highlighting our free programs and resources that support PreK-12 education and provide supplemental opportunities to spark curiosity about science.
January 24, 2026 at 8:50 PM
For International Day of Education, we're highlighting our free programs and resources that support PreK-12 education and provide supplemental opportunities to spark curiosity about science.
Calling front range homeschool families, co-ops, and small groups! You are invited to our Homeschool Day: Windy Weather Wonders, a day of free activities, hands-on learning, and fun at the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab! 🌬️
🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 2026
📍 NSF NCAR Mesa Lab
🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 2026
📍 NSF NCAR Mesa Lab
January 22, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Calling front range homeschool families, co-ops, and small groups! You are invited to our Homeschool Day: Windy Weather Wonders, a day of free activities, hands-on learning, and fun at the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab! 🌬️
🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 2026
📍 NSF NCAR Mesa Lab
🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 2026
📍 NSF NCAR Mesa Lab
Today is #MuseumSelfieDay and we want to see the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab through your eyes!
January 21, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Today is #MuseumSelfieDay and we want to see the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab through your eyes!
Looking for ways to connect science with real-world problem solving in the classroom? Join us for a free, virtual professional development session, hosted by NSTA, exploring technology and innovations in road weather science.
📆Feb. 19, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:00 pm MST
💻 Virtual
📆Feb. 19, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:00 pm MST
💻 Virtual
January 19, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Looking for ways to connect science with real-world problem solving in the classroom? Join us for a free, virtual professional development session, hosted by NSTA, exploring technology and innovations in road weather science.
📆Feb. 19, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:00 pm MST
💻 Virtual
📆Feb. 19, 2026
🕔 5:00–6:00 pm MST
💻 Virtual
For National Mentoring Month, we’re excited to highlight our NSF SOARS program!
January 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
For National Mentoring Month, we’re excited to highlight our NSF SOARS program!
The Sun is over 93 million miles away—far beyond the reach of human travel—so how do we study it?
January 13, 2026 at 10:32 PM
The Sun is over 93 million miles away—far beyond the reach of human travel—so how do we study it?
Models of the atmosphere use previous observations and data to build a view of what might happen in the future. Researchers use advanced atmospheric models to simulate precipitation, wind, severe storm potential, and other weather conditions, improving forecasts and enhancing public safety.
January 12, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Models of the atmosphere use previous observations and data to build a view of what might happen in the future. Researchers use advanced atmospheric models to simulate precipitation, wind, severe storm potential, and other weather conditions, improving forecasts and enhancing public safety.
Looking for some family science fun over winter break? Try out one of our STEM at Home activities and discover how experiments using everyday materials can help us understand the world around us! ⚡
December 31, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Looking for some family science fun over winter break? Try out one of our STEM at Home activities and discover how experiments using everyday materials can help us understand the world around us! ⚡
Wildfire risk and fire behavior depend on many connected factors including weather conditions, vegetation, and terrain. Scientists use computer models to help predict and understand how wildfires behave.
December 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Wildfire risk and fire behavior depend on many connected factors including weather conditions, vegetation, and terrain. Scientists use computer models to help predict and understand how wildfires behave.
When the forecast calls for precipitation, how do they know if it's going to rain or snow? Predicting what form precipitation will take is actually pretty tricky, a lot can change as it falls thousands of feet to the ground.
December 24, 2025 at 8:09 PM
When the forecast calls for precipitation, how do they know if it's going to rain or snow? Predicting what form precipitation will take is actually pretty tricky, a lot can change as it falls thousands of feet to the ground.
Ice balloons are a great way to explore the magic of science, using basic items found around the home! 🔮 🎈
Follow the experiment with the materials suggested in our STEM at Home activity or pose your own hypothesis and test the ice balloon with items of your choosing.
Follow the experiment with the materials suggested in our STEM at Home activity or pose your own hypothesis and test the ice balloon with items of your choosing.
December 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Ice balloons are a great way to explore the magic of science, using basic items found around the home! 🔮 🎈
Follow the experiment with the materials suggested in our STEM at Home activity or pose your own hypothesis and test the ice balloon with items of your choosing.
Follow the experiment with the materials suggested in our STEM at Home activity or pose your own hypothesis and test the ice balloon with items of your choosing.
Come join one of our free public tours of the @ncar-mmm.bsky.social Mesa Lab! Explore interactive exhibits, learn about atmospheric science, and discover how our work has benefitted the community over the last 65 years.
December 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Come join one of our free public tours of the @ncar-mmm.bsky.social Mesa Lab! Explore interactive exhibits, learn about atmospheric science, and discover how our work has benefitted the community over the last 65 years.
Reposted by UCAR Center for Science Education
#Boulder friends: Our Mesa Lab will be closed to the public tomorrow, Dec. 17, in advance of an expected power shutoff related to extreme wind and high fire danger. For updates, visit www.ucar.edu/alerts. Stay safe out there neighbors!
December 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
#Boulder friends: Our Mesa Lab will be closed to the public tomorrow, Dec. 17, in advance of an expected power shutoff related to extreme wind and high fire danger. For updates, visit www.ucar.edu/alerts. Stay safe out there neighbors!
Calling early elementary teachers!📚
Get ready to bring the science of winter into your classroom next semester with the Winter Weather Teaching Box!
Get ready to bring the science of winter into your classroom next semester with the Winter Weather Teaching Box!
December 16, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Calling early elementary teachers!📚
Get ready to bring the science of winter into your classroom next semester with the Winter Weather Teaching Box!
Get ready to bring the science of winter into your classroom next semester with the Winter Weather Teaching Box!
Want a fun, hands-on way to explore how clouds form? Try this Cloud in a Jar activity and make your own clouds at home or in the classroom. Using everyday materials, you can model how water vapor, particles, and changes in pressure work together to create clouds, just like in the sky! ☁️
Cloud In a Jar | Center for Science EducationCloud In a Jar | Center for Science Education
Clouds are made of water. Use common items from around the house to make a simple model of a cloud in jar.
scied.ucar.edu
December 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Want a fun, hands-on way to explore how clouds form? Try this Cloud in a Jar activity and make your own clouds at home or in the classroom. Using everyday materials, you can model how water vapor, particles, and changes in pressure work together to create clouds, just like in the sky! ☁️
The wind blows because of pressure. Though it might not seem like it, observing the pressure and flow of water can help us understand how air moves in the atmosphere. This is because both water and air "flow." Try out this simulation below and use water tanks to explain why the wind blows:
Pressure and Flow: Using Water Tanks to Explain Why the Wind Blows | Center for Science EducationPressure and Flow: Using Water Tanks to Explain Why the Wind Blows | Center for Science Education
Explore relationships between pressure and fluid flow in this virtual lab.
scied.ucar.edu
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The wind blows because of pressure. Though it might not seem like it, observing the pressure and flow of water can help us understand how air moves in the atmosphere. This is because both water and air "flow." Try out this simulation below and use water tanks to explain why the wind blows:
🌱 Happy World Soil Day!
Healthy soil supports our food, our communities, and our future. Around the world, farmers are utilizing sustainable planting practices to restore nutrient-rich soils.
Healthy soil supports our food, our communities, and our future. Around the world, farmers are utilizing sustainable planting practices to restore nutrient-rich soils.
December 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
🌱 Happy World Soil Day!
Healthy soil supports our food, our communities, and our future. Around the world, farmers are utilizing sustainable planting practices to restore nutrient-rich soils.
Healthy soil supports our food, our communities, and our future. Around the world, farmers are utilizing sustainable planting practices to restore nutrient-rich soils.
Last call!📣
Don't miss our teacher professional development session next Thursday: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively. Join us to explore free, NGSS-aligned classroom materials and strategies to bring Earth and weather science to life!
Don't miss our teacher professional development session next Thursday: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively. Join us to explore free, NGSS-aligned classroom materials and strategies to bring Earth and weather science to life!
December 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Last call!📣
Don't miss our teacher professional development session next Thursday: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively. Join us to explore free, NGSS-aligned classroom materials and strategies to bring Earth and weather science to life!
Don't miss our teacher professional development session next Thursday: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively. Join us to explore free, NGSS-aligned classroom materials and strategies to bring Earth and weather science to life!
How do scientists study what's happening inside a hurricane?
One way is by using dropsondes—small tubes filled with instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed!
One way is by using dropsondes—small tubes filled with instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed!
December 2, 2025 at 7:51 PM
How do scientists study what's happening inside a hurricane?
One way is by using dropsondes—small tubes filled with instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed!
One way is by using dropsondes—small tubes filled with instruments that measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed!
Why do cars slide on ice?
Check out this simple hands-on activity that explores (safely!) why cars lose control on icy roads! Using a frozen “road” and toy cars, kids can experiment with winter driving conditions and what makes surfaces slippery. Try it at home and spark curiosity!
Check out this simple hands-on activity that explores (safely!) why cars lose control on icy roads! Using a frozen “road” and toy cars, kids can experiment with winter driving conditions and what makes surfaces slippery. Try it at home and spark curiosity!
November 26, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Why do cars slide on ice?
Check out this simple hands-on activity that explores (safely!) why cars lose control on icy roads! Using a frozen “road” and toy cars, kids can experiment with winter driving conditions and what makes surfaces slippery. Try it at home and spark curiosity!
Check out this simple hands-on activity that explores (safely!) why cars lose control on icy roads! Using a frozen “road” and toy cars, kids can experiment with winter driving conditions and what makes surfaces slippery. Try it at home and spark curiosity!
Family coming into town next week and looking for something to do? Come visit the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab and join one of our free public noon tours on Monday and Wednesday from 12pm-1pm!
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Family coming into town next week and looking for something to do? Come visit the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab and join one of our free public noon tours on Monday and Wednesday from 12pm-1pm!
Discover the power of virtual field trips!
Our free, interactive programs offer K-12 students the opportunity to explore Earth system science anywhere. All you need to participate is a computer, webcam, and internet access.
Our free, interactive programs offer K-12 students the opportunity to explore Earth system science anywhere. All you need to participate is a computer, webcam, and internet access.
November 19, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Discover the power of virtual field trips!
Our free, interactive programs offer K-12 students the opportunity to explore Earth system science anywhere. All you need to participate is a computer, webcam, and internet access.
Our free, interactive programs offer K-12 students the opportunity to explore Earth system science anywhere. All you need to participate is a computer, webcam, and internet access.
📣 New classroom activity alert!
We're excited to introduce "Share or Snooze?", a dynamic lesson that helps middle and high school students become savvy, critical consumers of online content while building media literacy around weather and Earth system science. 🌍
We're excited to introduce "Share or Snooze?", a dynamic lesson that helps middle and high school students become savvy, critical consumers of online content while building media literacy around weather and Earth system science. 🌍
November 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
📣 New classroom activity alert!
We're excited to introduce "Share or Snooze?", a dynamic lesson that helps middle and high school students become savvy, critical consumers of online content while building media literacy around weather and Earth system science. 🌍
We're excited to introduce "Share or Snooze?", a dynamic lesson that helps middle and high school students become savvy, critical consumers of online content while building media literacy around weather and Earth system science. 🌍
Our next Teacher Professional Development workshop is just one month away! Join us December 11, 2025, from 4:00-5:00 MT for "Unlocking the Treasure Chest: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively." scied.ucar.edu/educators/te...
Teacher Professional Development | Center for Science EducationTeacher Professional Development | Center for Science Education
scied.ucar.edu
November 11, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Our next Teacher Professional Development workshop is just one month away! Join us December 11, 2025, from 4:00-5:00 MT for "Unlocking the Treasure Chest: Pro Tips for Using SciEd Resources More Effectively." scied.ucar.edu/educators/te...
This weekend heroes assembled at the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab for an action-packed day of science and fun! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Super Science Saturday—we had incredible weather and a super turnout from our community. 💥
November 5, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This weekend heroes assembled at the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab for an action-packed day of science and fun! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Super Science Saturday—we had incredible weather and a super turnout from our community. 💥