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UCAR Center for Science Education

@ucarscied.bsky.social

1.8K followers 41 following 130 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 · 1d

Mission: Super Science Saturday 2025
Status: Complete ✅

What adventure will science take us on next year? Find out when Super Science Saturday returns, November 7th, 2026!
scied.ucar.edu/visit/ncar/s...

Super Science Saturday | Center for Science EducationSuper Science Saturday | Center for Science Education

Super Science Saturday is a public science celebration that draws thousands of excited and curious people of all ages to the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab to explore science!

scied.ucar.edu

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 1d

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. 💥

A scientist in a blue shirt doing a demonstration with a dropsonde outside in front of a large crowd

A person holding a plasma ball in a dark room with a large projection of the plasma ball on a screen behind them

Two scientists doing demonstration with a leaf blower and toilet paper

Looking down at a large crowd gathered around a science experiment outside

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 2d

Where to find us:
We will be presenting two conference sessions in the morning and hosting an exhibitor booth with free resources for educators. Stop by to connect, learn, and explore ways to bring science to life!

We hope to see you there!
www.coloradocast.org/CSC

CSC

www.coloradocast.org

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 2d

With over 60 sessions covering biology, chemistry, Earth and space science, and environmental science across all levels of education, there is something for everyone!

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 2d

This one-day event is for anyone passionate about science education—from K-12 teachers and college instructors to informal educators, administrators, pre-service teachers, and retired teachers.

UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 2d

Join us at CSU Spur in Denver this Friday November 7th for the Colorado Science Conference!

A group of six staff members smiling standing behind the UCAR Center for Science Education booth

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Reposted by UCAR Center for Science Education

NSF NCAR & UCAR @ncar-ucar.bsky.social · 3d

Undergraduate opportunity! 📣 The NSF SOARS program is open for applications! SOARS is an undergrad-grad bridge program focusing on promoting and supporting research, mentoring, and community.

Learn more about eligibility and the app process:
ucar.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UCAR_C...

2026 NSF SOARS® First-Year Protege

Job Description Summary: UCAR is excited to announce the application opening of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) program...

ucar.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com

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UCAR Center for Science Education @ucarscied.bsky.social · 6d

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 · 9d

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 · 9d

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 · 9d

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 · 14d

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 · 14d

- 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 · 14d

✨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 · 14d

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 · 17d

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 · 20d

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 · 20d

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 · 23d

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 · 23d

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 · 24d

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 · 29d

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 · 29d

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 · Oct 7

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 · Oct 7

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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