Explore the Earth System

What's a sunspot? How does air pollution form? Visit the Learning Zone to explore these questions and more.

Supercell storm over Vrana Lake.

Learning Zone

Visit this hub for short articles, interactives, classroom activities, images, and videos to help you learn how the Earth works.

Carbon Cycle Diagram

Image Gallery

View the photos, diagrams, and graphics used throughout the Learning Zone.

Videos

Videos

Watch a video in our expansive media library.

Games and Simulations

Games and Simulations

Expand your learning through virtual games and simulations.

Visit the Learning Zone

Do Science!

Learn how you can help make science happen.

Researchers with a weather balloon

Atmospheric Science Career Profiles

Read stories of what brought people to work here, descriptions of the work they do, and the projects they are most excited about.

Students are outside observing clouds and conditions in the sky. One student points upwards at something in the sky.

Job Shadow Guide

Use our job shadow guide to help you prepare for a career learning experience at a business or organization in your community.

SOARS protege and mentor

Become a NSF SOARS Protégé

Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) is designed to broaden participation in the atmospheric and related sciences.

More Information for Aspiring Scientists

Join Us for a Tour, Program, or Event

Visit the Mesa Lab in Boulder, CO, for exhibits, tours, field trip programs, hiking trails, and our annual science festival.

Tim explaining the climate exhibit

NSF NCAR Public Tours

Exploring the NSF NCAR's Mesa Lab Visitor Center is an enjoyable and educational way to spend some time in the Denver metro area.

School Field Trips

School Field Trips to NSF NCAR

A field trip to the NSF NCAR Visitor Center is a fun way for your class, camp, or club to learn about weather, the atmosphere, Sun and space weather, and more! 

Virtual Field Trip

Virtual Field Trips

Live, interactive K-12 education programs with our Education Specialists.

Visitor Center Self Guided Tour

Visitor Center Self-Guided Tour

Our free app provides the perfect opportunity to explore the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab Visitor Center at your own pace.

Visit NCAR

Discover K-12 Resources

Free resources for K-12 instruction, from short lessons to curriculum units.

teacher listening to the presenter at a GLOBE Weather workshop

Educators

Supporting weather and Earth system science learning, The UCAR Center for Science Education provides teaching resources for educators as well as virtual and in-person field trip programs for schools.

Teachers engaging in a professional development activity

Teacher Professional Development

We invite you to join our community of educators as we share best practices and resources for teaching about the Earth system with our free virtual or low-cost in-person teacher workshops.

A student working on an activity in the classroom

Classroom Activities

Peruse our collection of more than a hundred K-12 lessons about the science of our planet.

Explore More Teaching Resources