NOAA Education 2021-2040 Strategic Plan - Advancing NOAA’s mission through education

Oct 15, 2026

2021–2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan advances NOAA’s education mission by strengthening science literacy and workforce development over the next five years. The plan responds to COVID-19-driven shifts toward virtual learning, remote access, and the need for safety and preparedness. It builds on prior 2015 improvements and clarifies how programs support learners from K through college and beyond. It also emphasizes evaluation and communication and deepens partnerships to create a true learning community.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

Letter from the Director

NOAA Education Council

Member organizations and education programs

Strategic plan contributors

NOAA Education 2 02 1 Strategic Plan 2040 Advancing NOAA’s mission through education On the cover: Teachers train to use the outdoors as a learning laboratory during a Virginia Commonwealth University professional development program. This work was supported by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.(Virginia Commonwealth University) Letter from the Director Dear NOAA Educators, Partners, and Friends, I’m pleased to introduce the 2021–2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan. In drafting this document, we’ve taken a look back at the significant progress we’ve made toward achieving our goals and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. We have also taken a fresh look at our programs and priorities to better reflect the scope of NOAA’s education portfolio. This plan represents the shared work of so many dedicated educators and experts across the country. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together. The dramatic changes imposed by COVID-19 have made virtual learning and remote access to education a hard requirement. With this changing landscape we worked to support our audiences through a record number of hurricanes and devastating wildfires and other environmental and program changes. We’ve seen the adaptability and resilience of NOAA Education and people across the country. NOAA also celebrated its 50th anniversary, providing us with an opportunity to look back and celebrate our longstanding programs. The 2021 plan will guide the NOAA Education community for the next five years and help us advance our role in science literacy and workforce development. It extends the important improvements captured in the 2015 plan including the focus on safety, preparedness, conservation, and stewardship. It builds on this work and the foundation established in previous plans. It reflects our broadening focus on safety and preparedness to ensure that education is a key tool for building resilient communities. With our deeper understanding of what it takes to build a future workforce, we have better captured how we support students as they progress from grade school to college and beyond. We have also strengthened the ways we evaluate and communicate our work. Perhaps most importantly, the new plan highlights the deepening relationships we have built with each other and our partners to become a true learning community. None of this work would have been possible without our partners. The innovative organizations, talented students, passionate educators, and many others, allow us to accomplish so much in support of NOAA’s mission. We thank you and look forward to many years of future collaborations. Warm regards, Louisa Koch Director, NOAA Education NOAA Education 2021–2040 Strategic Plan 3 NOAA Education Council The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Education Council members represent education programs across the agency. Each member commits to supporting the goals and objectives of this Strategic Plan. • National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service » National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service Education • National Marine Fisheries Service » National Marine Fisheries Service Education » Teacher at Sea Program • National Ocean Service » National Ocean Service Education » Office for Coastal Management & National Estuarine Research Reserve System » Office of National Marine Sanctuaries » Marine Debris Program • National Weather Service » National Weather Service Education » Warning Coordination Meteorologists • Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research » Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Education » Climate Program Office, Communication, Education, & Engagement » National Sea Grant College Program » Office of Ocean Exploration and Research • Office of Education » K through 12 and Informal Education » Higher Education and Hollings Scholarship Program » Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

FAQs

What is the purpose of the 2021–2040 NOAA Education Strategic Plan?

The plan guides the NOAA Education community, advances science literacy and workforce development, and updates programs and priorities to reflect the scope of the education portfolio.

How does the plan address changes brought by COVID-19?

It recognizes virtual learning and remote access as requirements and describes efforts to support audiences amid hurricanes, wildfires, and other environmental and program changes.

Who contributes to and supports the development of the strategic plan?

Office of Education staff, NOAA Education Council members, support groups and writers rooms, and named individuals provide leadership, guidance, writing, editing, and planning input.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair