News you can use from the National Ocean Service
June 12, 2026
 This June, join NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries for public events across the National Marine Sanctuary System. From community festivals and ocean education programs to public presentations and hands-on activities, these events invite people to explore, learn about, and connect with America’s ocean and Great Lakes places. Event details may change. Please check the event links or contact the host site for the most up-to-date information.
While visiting the Sanctuaries, try your hand at photography and submit your pictures to the Photo Contest.
Thursday, June 11, 2026 | 11 a.m. AKDT
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 2 p.m. ET
Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET
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Region: Nationwide
Required equipment: Nurdle Patrol Kit
A nurdle is a plastic pellet which serves as raw material in the manufacturing of plastic products. Nurdles are washing up on our beaches, riverbanks, and lake shorelines by the millions. Find and map the source by conducting your own nurdle survey. Complete the Educator Resource Kit form to get access to special resources.
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 See A Spout? Watch Out! is a program dedicated to preparing boaters, sailors, and paddlers to safely navigate waters shared with protected marine species, particularly large whales, for mutual safety.
You do not have to be operating a vessel within sanctuary waters to benefit from these free courses, as all boaters should be knowledgeable of safe boating practices around whales.
The NOAA Ocean Guardian School program supports PreK-12 public and private schools nationwide who wish to establish conservation projects on campus or in their community—protecting watersheds and special areas like national marine sanctuaries. As part of this national initiative, teachers serve as campus leaders in enacting year-long stewardship projects in one of the program’s five pathways: school gardens/habitats, marine debris, watershed restoration, energy and ocean health, and “the six Rs” (Rethink/Reduce/Refuse/Reuse/Recycle/Rot).
Apply to be a 2026 - 2027 NOAA Ocean Guardian School.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Participation without funding: Any school (PreK-12) in the United States may apply to participate without funding.
Participation with funding: Grant amounts range from $1,000 - $4,000 per school depending on the program region and funding year.
Any school (PreK-12) from the following locations may apply for an Ocean Guardian School grant.
- California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Madera, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Santa Barbara, and Ventura
- Washington counties: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, and Pacific
- Oregon counties: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, and Curry
- Hawaiʻi
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 The National Weather Service (NWS) recently teamed up with the popular Cumbre Kids podcast to produce two special episodes about hurricanes. They feature NOAA/NWS meteorologist, Steve LaVoie, who breaks down hurricanes into fun, accessible science for both elementary and middle schoolers. These episodes are especially important for kids living near coastal cities impacted by hurricanes.
Feel free to listen/view the episodes using the links below:
Kids episode on Orbit: Science for kids on the move!
Middle School episode
· YouTube: https://bit.ly/3SjK13
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