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UCAR Center for Science Education

@ucarscied.bsky.social

1.8K followers 41 following 120 posts

Connecting educators, students, and the public to Earth science research conducted at NSF NCAR and UCAR. #NSFfunded scied.ucar.edu

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Mar 10

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)

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 13h

Super Science Saturday is tomorrow from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab. scied.ucar.edu/visit/ncar/s...

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 11

HEROES ASSEMBLE! 🦸

Calling all nerds to attend this year's Super Science Saturday on Saturday, November 1st at the @ncar-ucar.bsky.social Mesa Lab. Become a hero for science and use your knowledge superpowers to explore our natural world at this year's event. No cape required and the event is free.

A digital graphic in a comic book style with the event information. The photo on the graphic shows a group of kids around a scientist who has just released a weather balloon with a radiosonde into the air.

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 3d

This activity is a fun and hands-on way to spark curiosity about weather and electricity. Try it now and bring a little zap to your next science lesson!

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 3d

In this four part activity, students can:
⚡Learn about lightning and the transfer of energy
⚡Create a model of lightning using static electricity
⚡Play a game to dispel common myths and learn about lightning safety!

A tinfoil pie plate with a wooden pencil standing on it's eraser in the middle

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 3d

Check out our new classroom activity "Shocking Lightning Science", designed for upper elementary and middle school!

Shocking Lightning Science | Center for Science EducationShocking Lightning Science | Center for Science Education

Students make observations about lightning from a slow motion video, create static electricity as a model of lightning, and play a game to learn about lightning safety.

scied.ucar.edu

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 8d

Visit our website to register for upcoming sessions and sign up to be notified as new workshops are added. We can't wait to share our toolbox for inspiring student investigation!
#TeacherPD #K12 #NGSS #ScienceEducation

Ten people standing in a circle talking and holding packets of paper on an overcast day. They are standing in a lush green field with tall pine trees in the distance and the Flatiron mountains in the background.

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 8d

- Explore our free, NGSS aligned resources, connect with other educators, and gain practical tools and strategies to bring Earth system science alive in the classroom

Ready to join?

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 8d

✨Highlights:
- In-person and virtual sessions, you can attend from the comfort of your own home or classroom!
- Free and low-fee options available: our workshop in collaboration with the NSTA — "Innovations in Road Weather Science" (Feb 19, 2026) — is virtual and free to join!

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 8d

Calling all K-12 educators!
We're excited to announce our new professional development opportunities for the 2025-2026 school year!

Teacher Professional Development | Center for Science EducationTeacher Professional Development | Center for Science Education

scied.ucar.edu

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Reposted by UCAR Center for Science Education

NSF NCAR & UCAR @ncar-ucar.bsky.social · 11d

Grab your capes, superheroes! 🦸‍♀️ Super Science Saturday is coming up in #BoulderCO, and it’s sure to be a day of science and fun for the whole family! Big thank you to @ucarscied.bsky.social for hosting this event!

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Reposted by UCAR Center for Science Education

NSF NCAR & UCAR @ncar-ucar.bsky.social · 14d

Our NCAR Mesa Lab in #Boulder is CLOSED to the public tomorrow and Sunday for building maintenance. However, our parking lot and trails are still open for visitors to enjoy. Our free exhibits + tours will reopen Monday.

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 14d

Ready for an adventure, perfect for classrooms or home learning? 🎲 In our Nitrogen Cycle Game, you will take on the role of nitrogen and explore how it moves through Earth's systems. Roll the dice to discover where your journey takes you!
scied.ucar.edu/interactive/...

A screenshot from the beginning of the game saying "station 1: live plants. You are currently solid nitrogen inside a living plant." with a white flower growing in the center of the screen

A screenshot from the end of the game showing a full passport of stamps collected from locations and stations throughout the game

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 17d

For a deeper look into The History of Discovering the Atmosphere

The History of Atmospheric Discovery | Center for Science EducationThe History of Atmospheric Discovery | Center for Science Education

This web series tells the story of the lengths people went to in order to explore the atmosphere and the technologies they used to get high in the sky and make measurements.

scied.ucar.edu

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 17d

For centuries people looked up and wondered what’s really above us. The discovery of the atmosphere wasn’t a single “eureka” moment—it was centuries of curiosity and courage, from mountain climbs to balloon flights that reached the edge of space. ☁️

A drawing of a 1700s hot air balloon with mountains in the background

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Reposted by UCAR Center for Science Education

NSF NCAR & UCAR @ncar-ucar.bsky.social · 18d

The NCAR Mesa Lab in #Boulder, including the Visitor Center and exhibits, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19, for scheduled building maintenance. The parking lot and trail access will remain open through the weekend. The building will reopen on Monday, Oct. 20.

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 23d

Want to know more about cloud formation and the other types of clouds that can form due to mountains? Visit our Learning Zone!

Clouds Form Due to Mountains | Center for Science EducationClouds Form Due to Mountains | Center for Science Education

When wind blows across a mountain range, air rises, then cools and clouds form.

scied.ucar.edu

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 23d

What causes clouds to form? In some cases, mountains are the answer!
When wind blows up over a mountain range, the air rises and cools, and eventually enough moisture will condense out of the air to form a cloud. This results in lenticular clouds (picture 1) and stratus clouds (picture 2)!

Stratus clouds hanging over a lake with trees partially obscured in the background

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 24d

With guided tours and hikes, a classroom design challenge, and self-guided activities for grade levels K-12, learners of all ages were able to understand and connect with the environment in new ways.
We're already planning next year's Homeschool Day, so mark your calendars for Feb 26, 2026!

Homeschool Day | Center for Science EducationHomeschool Day | Center for Science Education

Homeschool families, co-ops, and groups are invited to our first-of-its-kind event! Join us at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab for a day of activities and fun.

scied.ucar.edu

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 24d

What an incredible Homeschool Day!
Last week families visited the NCAR Mesa Lab for a day full of curiosity, creativity, and connection.

A woman in an orange shirt sitting behind a table smiling at an event with a group of students in the background

A teacher pointing at a poster board on a table with 7 children standing around listening

Thirteen people standing in front of a wall that says "watching the weather"

Ten people standing at various tables in a classroom working on a project

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 30

From making clouds in a jar to safely investigating how cars lose control on ice, these activities are designed to inspire curiosity, build problem-solving skills, and make learning exciting beyond the classroom. Check out our full collection and see what discoveries you can make today!

STEM at Home | Center for Science EducationSTEM at Home | Center for Science Education

Are you looking for fun, informal STEM activities that you can do at home with some simple materials? Explore our resources below to discover how to make an atmosphere lantern, how cars lose control o...

scied.ucar.edu

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 30

Looking for fun ways to spark discovery and learning at home? 🌟 Our STEM at Home page offers hands-on activities that use everyday items to explore the world around us!

A young girl holding up hand crafted glasses made of popsicle sticks and 3D movie glasses

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 23

Assemble your team of sidekicks and join the adventure. We are keeping our website up to date, so check it out for more details: scied.ucar.edu/visit/ncar/s...

A group of 4 kids and 3 adults standing at a table inside with a scientist running an activity.

A group of 3 kids and 2 adults standing at a table outside with a scientist showing them an animal pelt.

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 23

🎈 Observe real-time weather balloon data as our scientists launch two into the sky
🦋 Transform into your scientific alter ego with superhero face paint
🦸🏼 Visit an activity table of an NSF NCAR Lab or a UCAR Community Program
🥽 Watch extreme science demos hosted by our Wizards

A scientist and "NCAR Wizard" standing in front of an audience inside holding a rolled sheet of paper.

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 23

Suit up, scientists in training! 🥼 Super Science Saturday is just around the corner on November 1st from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab in Boulder, CO. Heroes unite to harness the superpowers of science!

A scientist holding a weather balloon outside that a group of kids are reaching out to touch.

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 16

So, when you see an ozone alert, it's about air quality conditions near the ground where we live and breathe, and not about the protective ozone layer high above us!

A green field overlooking the Flatirons in the background on a sunny day

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · Sep 16

Ground-level ozone is formed by the interaction of sunlight with emissions from cars, smokestacks, and other pollutant sources. This type of ozone can be harmful to humans, animals, plants, and even some materials like rubber, which is why alerts are issued when ozone pollution reaches high levels.