The annual National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference: Sun, Surf, and Science was held in Los Angeles, California from March 30, 2017 – April 2, 2017. Teacher at Sea Alumni (TASA) came together to support NOAA’s Office of Education at the NOAA booth during the conference. TASA informed the science teachers and others about NOAA’s mission and service to the public, as well as, showed NOAA’s impact on science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.  

Special thanks to TASA Frank Hubacz, Deb Brice, June Teisan, Jackie Hams, DJ Kast, Tammy Orilio, Chris Faist, Anne Artz, Dana Tomlinson and Barney Peterson for volunteering your time at the booth!  

Jennifer Hammond (Director of the Teacher at Sea Program), and Emily Susko (TAS Program Specialist), presented at the National Middle Level Meet Me in the Middle Day Round Table Conversations for Middle Level Educators. They shared information about the NOAA Teacher at Sea Program and answered participants’ questions about applying, requirements, and expectations.  

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation sponsored a NOAA Teacher at Sea Alumni Meeting on April 1, 2017. TASA shared their at-sea experiences, program impacts, and activities. This was a valuable time for alumni to meet each other and build connections.