June 2025 – Washington, D.C. — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today released its 2025–2045 Education Strategic Plan, marking a renewed commitment to cultivating a robust STEM workforce and fostering environmental stewardship nationwide. Anchored in NOAA’s congressional mandate, this strategic framework empowers educators and learners to engage deeply with Earth system science—from climate dynamics and coastal resilience to ocean ecosystems and space weather.
Its strategic priorities include:
- Teaching & Learning: Enhance educational content and delivery through national standards and real‑world scientific inquiry.
- Taking Action: Inspire learners and communities to translate environmental understanding into on‑the‑ground stewardship.
- Navigating Career Pathways: Strengthen pathways into STEM and NOAA‑related fields through mentorship, scholarships, and training.
- Building NOAA Education Foundations: Ensure long‑term effectiveness via data‑driven evaluation, common outcomes tracking, and strategic implementation across NOAA’s network.
“The updated NOAA Education Strategic Plan will further expand our capacity for future workforce training and development, as well as support American global competitiveness along with the NOAA mission enterprise,” said Sen Chiao, director of NCAS-M.
At the heart of the plan is a commitment to robustness, relevance, and collaboration. NOAA works with educators, students, and partners across the country, including academic institutions, nonprofits, and local organizations, to make sure its science reaches people where they are. The goal is to foster a well-prepared, scientifically informed public that can make smart decisions about our environment, economy, and health.
The strategic plan is updated every five years as part of NOAA’s mandate under the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act. This edition highlights how NOAA’s education community is working together to meet today’s challenges and invest in the future.
You can read the full plan here: https://www.noaa.gov/education/reports/2025-2045-noaa-education-strategic-plan
