[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33632-33633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11776]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RTID 0648-XV182


Availability of Draft NOAA Education Strategic Plan

AGENCY: Education Council, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
publishes this notice to solicit comments on the draft 2020-2040 NOAA 
Education Strategic Plan (Plan). NOAA received broad legislative 
authority from Congress through the America COMPETES Act (2007, 2010) 
and the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (2017) to conduct, 
develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal education 
activities at all levels to enhance public awareness and understanding 
of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship 
by the general public and other coastal stakeholders, including 
underrepresented groups in ocean and atmospheric science and policy 
careers. The legislative authority requires NOAA to develop a 20 year 
plan that is updated every 5 years. This Plan updates the goals for 
NOAA Education established in the 2015-2035 Education Strategic Plan. 
NOAA is seeking broad public review of the Plan and encourages all 
stakeholders and users to review the Plan and provide comments. All 
comments received will be reviewed and considered in the final drafting 
of the Plan.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 2, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The draft Plan will be available on the following website: 
https://www.noaa.gov/office-education/noaa-education-council/strategic-planning-evaluation.
    You may submit comments on this document by the following method:
    Electronic Submission: Submit comments via email to 
[email protected]. Please include the identifier, ``Education 
Plan Public Comment'' in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Sassard, Education Specialist, 
NOAA Office of Education, (202) 482-2947, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA's Education Council is soliciting 
general comments on the NOAA Education Strategic Plan, which describes 
NOAA's education goals and strategies. The Plan focuses on conducting, 
developing, supporting, promoting, and coordinating education 
activities to enhance awareness and understanding of mission-related 
sciences.
    Since its creation, an important role for NOAA has been imparting 
scientific knowledge of the Earth's natural systems to benefit society 
and support the agency's mission. During this time, education was 
guided by the vision of leadership, the findings of researchers, the 
mandates of legislation for programs within NOAA, and to respond to the 
needs of society.
    In 2007, Congress officially recognized the role of education in 
NOAA with the passage of the America COMPETES Act (Pub. L. 110-69). 
This legislation states: ``The Administrator, appropriate National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration programs, ocean atmospheric 
science and education experts, and interested members of the public 
shall develop a science education plan setting forth education goals 
and strategies for the

[[Page 33633]]

Administration, as well as programmatic actions to carry out such goals 
and priorities over the next 20 years, and evaluate and update such 
plan every 5 years.''
    NOAA is revising its Education Strategic Plan as specified in the 
America COMPETES Act and subsequent legislation. Based on NOAA's 
mission, strengths, and the future needs of our society, the draft plan 
includes five education goals:
    Goal 1--Science-Informed Society: An informed society has access 
to, interest in, and understanding of NOAA-related sciences and their 
implications for current and future events.
    Goal 2--Conservation & Stewardship: Individuals and communities are 
actively involved in stewardship behaviors and decisions that conserve, 
restore, and protect natural and cultural resources related to NOAA's 
mission.
    Goal 3--Ready, Responsive, Resilient: Individuals and communities 
are ready, responsive, and resilient to the increasing challenges and 
impacts of hazardous weather, changes in climate, and other 
environmental threats monitored by NOAA.
    Goal 4--Future Workforce: A diverse and highly skilled future 
workforce pursues careers in disciplines that support NOAA's mission.
    Goal 5--Organizational Excellence: NOAA functions in a unified 
manner to support, plan, and deliver effective educational programs and 
partnerships that advance NOAA's mission.
    NOAA welcomes comments on all aspects of the draft Plan, including 
any inconsistencies perceived within the Plan and any omissions of 
important topics or issues. This draft Plan is being issued for comment 
only and is not intended for interim use. For any shortcomings noted 
within the draft Plan, please propose specific remedies. Suggested 
changes will be incorporated where appropriate, and a final Plan will 
be posted on the NOAA Education Council website.
    Please follow this format guidance for preparing and submitting 
comments. Using the format guidance will facilitate the processing of 
comments and assure that all comments are appropriately considered. 
Overview comments should be provided first and should be numbered. 
Comments that are specific to particular pages, paragraphs, or lines of 
the section should identify the page and line numbers to which they 
apply. Please number each page of your comments.

    Dated: May 27, 2020.
Louisa Koch,
Director of Education, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-11776 Filed 6-1-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P