Friends of the National Center

10/08/2026

Today is !

A gift from your Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to Friends of the National Center fuels the future of scientific discovery. Your support directly powers hands-on STEM education, creates vital opportunities for early-career researchers, and drives high-impact innovation and collaboration in Earth system science.

Connect with us today to learn how to give via your DAF:

“The atmosphere is a finite and perishable resource that encloses our planet in a sometimes benevolent, sometimes despotic embrace. The challenge is to understand, to predict, and to conserve this precious resource. More than ever, we are in a position to meet these challenges, and we are eager to...

09/29/2026

The latest edition of our newsletter is officially out! Take a look back at our recent milestones, key updates, and community impact over the past summer season, featuring a special Education in Action section with updates from education programs across UCAR and NSF NCAR. Thank you to everyone in our community for making this season so impactful!

Our cover photo features Esther Oyedele, a 2023 UCAR Next Generation Fellow, serving as a panelist after receiving support from the Kasahara Pathways in Science Fund to attend COP30. Be sure to check out the newsletter to read the full story on her journey and learn more about the Kasahara Pathways in Science Fund!

Read the full newsletter here: https://friendsofthenationalcenter.org/newsletters/summer-2026-recap/

09/23/2026

It was wonderful seeing so many familiar faces at the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab for our recent Coffee Chat!

We were honored to host alumni and retirees from across NSF NCAR, UCAR, and UCP for an open roundtable with Interim UCAR President Eric Barron. From great questions to lively conversation, it was a fantastic morning of connection.

Thank you to all who attended!

Want to join us next time?
📅 Upcoming Events: friendsofthenationalcenter.org/events
✉️ Subscribe: friendsofthenationalcenter.org/join-our-mailing-list

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09/11/2026

This summer, the UCAR Center for Science Education hosted its second annual workshop for the National Ozone Garden Network. This event brought educators and scientists from across the country together to learn about air quality and ground-level ozone.

We are proud to collect donations to support the UCAR Center for Science Education and help make workshops, outreach, and hands-on learning like this possible.

If you think this kind of science education is as cool as we do, please consider donating today!

Donate here: https://friendsofthenationalcenter.org/support-us/

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08/24/2026

Supporting STEM education is at the heart of our mission, and we are so proud to partner with the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) to help fuel the next generation of scientists!

Ever wonder where your support goes? Check out the stories of the 2026 National Ocean Scholars: five incredible students heading to college to pursue degrees in ocean and environmental science.

By accepting donations on behalf of the NOSB, we help make scholarships and opportunities like this possible. If you’d like to invest in the future of our oceans and support these bright young, minds, you can donate here: https://nosb.org/donate/

07/21/2026

Ready to tackle a Spartan or Tough Mudder?

We are giving away FREE race entries to participants who commit to fundraising for us!

How to claim your spot:
1. Complete our quick online registration form
2. Raise $350+ through peer-to-peer fundraising
3. Get your coupon code for a free race entry!

Entries are first-come, first-served, so don't wait to lock in your spot.

👉 Register here today:

07/13/2026

What an incredible night! We had a blast celebrating the 30th anniversary of the National Science Foundation's Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science program (NSF SOARS).

Our Executive Director, Sarah Swanson, was excited to be a part of the celebration and loved having the chance to speak to everyone. It’s truly amazing to see the impact this program has had on the Earth System Science community over the last three decades.

If the NSF SOARS program has touched your life, inspired you, or if you believe in supporting the next generation of scientists, please consider giving back.

👇 You can make a donation today through our website:
https://friendsofthenationalcenter.org/donate-nsf-soars/

06/30/2026

Today is the last day to donate to the UCAR Center for Science Education (SciEd) through the Give Outdoor Learning Campaign‼️

This campaign only runs through June, so if you'd like to support SciEd, please consider making a donation today: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/UCARSciEd.

Your donation will support outdoor learning and science education programs for learners of all ages.

06/23/2026

What "sparks" a lifelong passion for science? ⚡️ In the latest edition of the Spark newsletter, we are highlighting early career researcher Ren Smith!

Discover what inspired Ren's journey into science and see how funding from our generous donors is helping support the next generation of researchers.

Read Ren’s story: https://mailchi.mp/ucar/spark-ren-smith

06/15/2026

Outdoor learning sparks curiosity, builds connections to nature, and helps bring science to life!

This June, we're proud to support the NSF NCAR & UCAR Science Education (SciEd) through the Give Outdoor Learning Campaign. Through hands-on programs and educational resources, SciEd helps learners of all ages better understand Earth’s interconnected systems and the science that shapes our planet.

If you'd like to support outdoor learning and science education, please consider making a donation: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/UCARSciEd

Thank you for supporting the UCAR Center for Science Education!