Flocking To: Chiang Rai, a haven for Thailand’s artists

Four insiders on where to sleep, shop for handicrafts and find the best 'micro-seasonal' dishes.

View in browser|nytimes.com September 27, 2024 T's monthly travel series, Flocking To, highlights places you might already have on your wish list, sharing tips from frequent visitors and locals alike. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, along with our weekly roundup of cultural recommendations, monthly beauty guides and the latest stories from our print issues. Have a question? You can always reach us at tmagazine@nytimes.com. By Eric Wilson Travelers to the northern provinces of Thailand have long been drawn by two things — elephant camps and campy temples. The most famous examples of each are within or near the 13th-century city of Chiang Rai, where the Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple, stands as an artist's parable of the world's ills, as depicted in the form of pop culture villains and other icons of kitsch. (If crossing a sea of grasping arms at the entrance doesn't terrify you, beware the Freddy Krueger-themed hanging planters.) Chiang Rai is also where the Emerald Buddha, a national treasure now housed in Bangkok's Grand Palace, was reportedly discovered in 1434. According to legend, a bolt of lightning cracked the stupa in which it had been hidden years prior. Chiang Rai — the city shares its name with the surrounding province — has gained a reputation as something of a tourist trap, thanks to the tour buses that ferry visitors from the White Temple to the equally gaudy Blue Temple and then to the very bleak Black House (which the artist Thawan Duchanee, who died in 2014, decorated with elephant skulls and antlers and a table runner made of snakeskin). But the city, having played second fiddle to the luxe-boho paradise of Chiang Mai ever since King Mang Rai moved the capital of the Lanna Kingdom — which ruled over most of what is now northern Thailand — to the "new city" in 1296, has more recently emerged as an unhurried haven for serious artists and other creative professionals seeking to escape the heat and sprawl of Bangkok. The Athita hotel sits just outside the ruins of a 700-year-old temple. Pietro Lo Casto The third edition of Thailand's roaming Biennale, which brought dozens of international and Thai artists to Chiang Rai this past winter and spring, shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of the city — its long history as a cultural crossroads. Owing both to its proximity to Laos and Myanmar and, to some degree, the Golden Triangle's uncomfortable past as a center of the global drug trade, Chiang Rai has been the site of intermingling cultures for centuries. "The constant migration of people of different races and religions make this an interesting place both geographically and culturally," says the Chiang Rai-born artist and gallerist Angkrit Ajchariyasophon. In 2023, Chiang Rai was also recognized by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network for its sustainable architecture design and landscapes. "My house is near the city's oldest Christian church, close to an Islamic mosque and a Buddhist temple off the same road," says Ajchariyasophon. "This is where I grew up and learned about cultural diversity, which I find wonderful." Today, multigenerational family-run restaurants featuring traditional Thai, Chinese and Myanmarese specialties likewise share a slow-movement sensibility with hipster cafes that serve coffee from beans grown on local farms, and stylish home stays that incorporate teak wood scavenged from nearby forests. Here, Ajchariyasophon and other Chiang Rai enthusiasts offer their recommendations on where to stay, eat, shop and sightsee in and around the city. Click here for a map of the locations mentioned below. The Insiders From left: Angkrit Ajchariyasophon, Gridthiya Gaweewong, Rose Chalalai Singh and Chomwan Weeraworawit. Illustrations by Richard Pedaline The artist Angkrit Ajchariyasophon has organized shows for the Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre and the Singapore Biennale and runs an artists' studio in Suphanburi. Born in Chiang Rai, the curator Gridthiya Gaweewong is the founder of the arts organization Project 304 and the artistic director of the Jim Thompson Art Center in Bangkok. She served as one of the artistic directors of the 2023 Thailand Biennale. The Bangkok-born chef Rose Chalalai Singh, who visits Chiang Rai annually, has lived for 15 years in Paris, where she runs a private dining space, Rose Kitchen. Originally from Bangkok, Chomwan Weeraworawit founded the creative consultancy Mysterious Ordinary, based in the city, in 2010, and served as a co-curator of the 2022 Bangkok Art Biennale. With her husband, the designer Philip Huang, she co-founded the fashion label bearing his name, which collaborates with textile artisans in northeast Thailand. Stay Pa Sak Tong, a private estate with two villas, was built by an art collector. Pietro Lo Casto "The Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort & Spa features balconies with views of the Kok River, which brighten up during the rainy season. The sight of the orange river sediment moving through the deep blue edges and fluffy white clouds creates a truly peaceful atmosphere." (From about $150 a night) — Angkrit Ajchariyasophon "The Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle looks like Hemingway and Indiana Jones met in the wrong place. The decoration is impossible, and it's bloody expensive. But the food is great and the location is the most beautiful in all of Chiang Rai. They have the river, the elephant camp — it's great." (From about $2,530 a night) — Rose Chalalai Singh "The Sooknirund is in the middle of town and very charming. A lot of my artist friends stay there because they can walk to Xibiao, the best breakfast restaurant in the province. They make their own yogurt and bake an amazing milk bun filled with cinnamon, and they have a really good masala chai. I also stay at Le Méridien when I'm doing production. It's on the Kok River, about a 10-minute drive from the city, so you can't really walk anywhere. But the view is stunning and there's a cluster of restaurants nearby. Pa Sak Tong, whose name means 'golden teak forest,' is a private estate built by an art collector who rents it out to one party at a time. It feels like you're walking into a lush, timeless home, with art throughout the property. There are two villas on the property; one sleeps 12, the other sleeps 18." (The Sooknirund Hotel, from about $90 a night; Le Méridien, rates from about $130 a night; Pa Sak Tong, from about $1,870 a night) — Chomwan Weeraworawit Eat and Drink La phat thoke, or Myanmar tea leaf salad, at Sangkaew tea.food local culture restaurant. Pietro Lo Casto "A few months ago, I drove out of town at sunset to Khun Korn Waterfall and stopped at a restaurant called Sangkaew tea.food local culture. It consists of two small wooden houses with views of rice fields and a stream flowing from the waterfall. The restaurant, run by the Shan ethnic community from Myanmar, serves a menu that should not be missed. The main dishes, side dishes and desserts are served as a set, concluding with hot herbal tea. This meal made for an unforgettable day." — A.A. "Nua Wuo Ros Yiam [on the other side of the street from the Sooknirund hotel] has the best beef noodles. Khao Tom Mee Na, where the signature dish is fried wood-ear mushrooms with egg, serves one of the best street-food dinners. Yod Aroy [about a half mile south on the main road from Chiang Rai Bus Terminal 1] is also a very good local place for dinner. Order the beef with oyster sauce, and seafood. "Ba(r)nana is a small cocktail bar in Chiang Saen, about an hour's drive from Chiang Rai, run by a funky cocktail master who moved back home after living in Bangkok. He uses local ingredients to make special drinks. Try his signature elixir, a variation on a Bloody Mary using the same chiles as in larb, or whatever he's serving that day." — Gridthiya Gaweewong "Chiang Rai food involves lots of aromatics, things like pork sausage made with lemongrass, cumin and herbs, and rice noodles with spicy curry. There are a lot of wild jungle mushrooms, vegetables and other things that you don't find in the south. [Chiang Rai] is close to China, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar, so you'll find they have a lot of influence from those areas. There's a late-night place called Khao Tom Bua that has amazing food by a lady named Bua. I had pork belly that was wok sautéed, fried vegetables, a rice soup that's something like congee and then fried fish and the fermented fish salad, which is really good. "There's also a new generation doing a lot of interesting things. I really like Vinyl & Wine for natural wines and jazz, soul, and funk music, and Le Petit Café for wine and live jazz." — R.C.S. "Larb Sanam Keela and Lab Pa Lai are not to be missed for northern dishes. 'Larb' is the English spelling for a typical ground-meat dish, but we don't spell it with an 'r.' No one can agree what to call it on Google. I also love Saharodh for traditional pork-blood soup if one does not have two hours to spend at Xibiao. Locus Native Food Lab at Pa Sak Tong is a long experience, like three hours, but the chef's approach is very interesting. He deconstructs and dives into the history of northern Thai food and its micro-seasonality." — C.W. Shop Left: Sawanbondin Tea House & Experience serves artisanal teas, pastries and homemade ice cream. Right: The gift shop at the Athita hotel stocks textiles, embroidery, pottery and other crafts made by local artisans. Pietro Lo Casto "Chiang Saen is the ancient center of Chiang Rai province, where you're inside these historical ruins and archaeological sites with evidence of civilizations that go back to the start of the Iron Age. The Athita hotel is a precious place that was built next to the ruin of a stupa and reimagined as a hidden court made of teak wood. The rooms are very minimal, and it has a wonderful gift shop created by one of the co-founders. Local designers collaborate on the selection of textiles from remote hillside tribes. The textiles of the area are often embroidered and typically feature motifs of things seen in real life — buffalo and pastoral scenes. "Sawanbondin Tea House & Experience also has the most spectacular range of artisanal teas, organic rice, coffee and a rotating selection of paintings by local artists. It's on a beautiful plot of land with an outdoor kiln. If you don't have much time, they'll give you a takeaway container to store your tea bag in, because they believe each one should be used at least three times. They also have homemade ice cream. I like butterfly pea macadamia nut — it's blue, and so pretty." — C.W. Take Home Doy Din Dang Pottery, founded by Somluk Pantiboon, one of the country's most renowned ceramists. Pietro Lo Casto "When in Chiang Rai, you must visit Doy Din Dang Pottery. (The name is spelled Ban Doi Din Daeng, meaning red clay hills.) The handmade ceramics, created by the great artist Somluk Pantiboon, are glazed with natural colors and can't be found elsewhere in Thailand. A must-buy souvenir is a teacup made from Chiang Rai clay, glazed with rice straw ashes, to be used with Oolong tea leaves from Doi Mae Salong, a picturesque village near the border of Myanmar." — A.A. "It's incredible how many coffee shops there are now since the city has become bigger. I really like Akha Hill, which uses local beans, as they grow a lot of tea and coffee in that area. They roast them right there." — R.C.S. Explore Left: The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park contains both ancient artifacts and architecture from the Lanna kingdom, which ruled northern Thailand from the 13th to the 18th century, as well as contemporary pieces by young artists. Right: Chiang Saen National Museum houses archaeological finds from throughout the region including artifacts from the ancient Kingdom of Lanna that date back to the 13th century. Pietro Lo Casto "Chiang Rai has a community of over 300 artists organized under the Chiang Rai Artists Association, also known as Art Bridge Chiang Rai, which was established 10 years ago and today operates from the Chiang Rai Contemporary Art Museum. Most artists work in modern art, neo-traditional Thai art and crafts such as wood carving and bamboo weaving. After the Biennale, we initiated a project to build a creative design center and a Small and Medium Art Spaces workshop at the museum. "I also like the small museum inside Wat Phra Kaew called the Hongluang Saengkaew Museum. You can see a collection of small, intricately arranged items that tell amazing stories. Most of the objects displayed were donated by people from Chiang Rai Province, highlighting the faith and beliefs of ordinary people. These include dozens of small wooden Buddhas, given by couples who want to have children. This is a common tradition in Northern Thailand." — A.A. "The Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park has one of the best collections of flora and Lanna architecture and artifacts in the north of Thailand. You can find both old and new art and crafts here. A younger generation of artists are more experimental, critical and aware of the historical, sociopolitical context of Chiang Rai in relationship with the state and beyond. "The Chiang Saen National Museum is a small museum on the Thailand-Laos border near the Mekong River. It houses the most significant art objects and artifacts from the ancient Kingdom of Lanna since the 13th century. Wat Pa Sak is one of the most important temples in Chiang Rai. It features several images of the Buddha. The main one [standing on a lotus flower with his arms at his sides] is particularly striking." — G.G. "The White Temple is funny to see, but my preference is for the House of Opium museum. It explains the history of Chiang Rai through its geography and how its location relates to wars between the tribes, the government and the drug trade." — R.C.S. Practical Matters "Every year, Chiang Rai faces forest fires during March and April, leading to severe air pollution. I'm currently working on 'Art on Fire,' a project that involves fund-raising to support a volunteer forest fire agency. It will exhibit at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center in March 2025." — A.A. "All the temples are best to see first thing in the morning, before it's scorching hot. From 11 a.m. onward, there are hordes of tourists, even at the meditation center. But it's so peaceful in the morning. If you're planning to see everything, book a driver for the full day." — C.W. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. 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The Watch. News You Can Use From NOAA Planet Stewards - 21 May 2024

Planet News You Can Use!

News you can use from NOAA Planet Stewards  May 21, 2024   Keep Up with NOAA Planet Stewards: NOAA Planet Stewards Website NOAA Planet Stewards Upcoming Events NOAA Planet Stewards Educational Resources Sign up to receive NOAA Planet Stewards The Watch e-newsletter Access our archive collections: past webinars, book club selections, and the newsletter! Did a colleague or friend share this copy of The Watch with you?  Thank them, then sign up to receive it.  See the sign-up link above! Join our May Book Club event! Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | 8 p.m. ET At our final Planet Stewards Book Club of the 2023-2024 academic year we'll discuss Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism  We live in a world of stuff. We dispose of most of it in as little as six months after we receive it. The byproducts of our quest to consume are creating an environmental crisis. Aja Barber wants to change this--and you can, too. In Consumed, Barber calls for change within an industry that regularly overreaches with abandon, creating real imbalances in the environment and the lives of those who do the work—often in unsafe conditions for very low pay—and the billionaires who receive the most profit. A story told in two parts, Barber exposes the endemic injustices in our consumer industries and the uncomfortable history of the textile industry, one which brokered slavery, racism, and today's wealth inequality. Once the layers are peeled back, Barber invites you to participate in unlearning, to understand the truth behind why we consume in the way that we do, to confront the uncomfortable feeling that we are never quite enough and why we fill that void with consumption rather than compassion. Barber challenges us to challenge the system and our role in it. The less you buy into the consumer culture, the more power you have. Consumed will teach you how to be a citizen and not a consumer. Read a summary of the book Consumed for more details. More information: All meeting dates, times, selections, and how to log in, are on our Upcoming Events Page. Make sure you receive reminder announcements! Sign up to our mailing list. See previously selected books and discussion questions in our Book Club Archive. NOAA Planet Stewards is Now Accepting Proposals for 2024/2025 Project Funding! Deadline: June 2, 2024 NOAA Planet Stewards is now accepting proposals of up to $5000 from formal and informal educators to carry out hands-on stewardship projects with elementary through college age students, as well as the general public. Projects must make a substantive, and quantitatively measurable impact on an environmental issue related to the educator's community. Projects should focus on the conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources in the following environmental areas: mitigation or removal of marine debris; habitat conservation and restoration; carbon footprint reduction; or carbon sequestration. Full details are on our website.   Do you have an item you'd like to share in future issues of The Watch? Complete this form to recommend your submission.   Explore Planet Earth with Teek and Tom in NOAA's First Ever Animated Series Join the intrepid student explorer Teek from planet Queloz and NOAA climate scientist Tom Di Liberto as they explore planet Earth. This fun, science-driven, five-part series is designed for students in the fourth through sixth grades. The series guides students on how the ocean influences Earth's weather and climate; weather extremes; the technologies scientists use to gather weather data; and what this information tells us about our changing planet. Please note that these episodes are a work in progress, and may be subject to small changes over the coming months. NOAA Science Seminar Series - Something for Everyone! NOAA Science Seminar Series   May 22, 2024 | 3-4 p.m. ET Enhancing Credibility in Your Community Science Project Register for to join the webinar. ________________________________ May 30, 2024 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET Ocean Microplastic Pollution Register for the webinar.   Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Environmental Learning Center June Events Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center 300 Tower Rd. Naples, FL 34113 Visit RookeryBay.org to more details and to register for the following events.  The attraction at 300 Tower Road in Naples features aquariums, touch tanks with marine critters, natural history, environmental and wildlife exhibits, an art gallery, picnic area, guided walking trails, butterfly garden and a scenic overlook bridge. Special events and activities for all ages are held year-round including watercolor and photography classes, gallery nights, presentations about wildlife and conservation, birding field trips, marine science camps and more! The hours are 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-12 and 3 and under are free. Rookery Bay Research Reserve also offers guided boat tours or kayak adventures into the tranquil waters of Rookery Bay Reserve. Guests can choose from a variety of tours including shelling trips to deserted white sand islands, sunset tours or bird rookery excursions. Call 239-530-5972 for more information.   Rookery Bay Research Reserve Marine Science Camp Registration is still OPEN. A perfect camp for middle or high school students who love coastal waters, marine wildlife and want to experience hands-on marine science with biologists. Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve's flexible and fun marine science camp in June. Select 1, 2 or 3 days of camp and choose from a variety of themes like kayaking through mangroves tunnels, searching for coastal critters in the bays and beaches or get hands-on in the labs with microscopes and a real squid dissection. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity - that also happens to look great on a college application! Camp Dates: Choose just 1 day, 2 days or an entire session week. June 4, 5 and 6 June 11, 12 and 13 June 18, 19 and 20 June 25, 26 and 27 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $75 per day (camp scholarships are available) Registration is required!   Watercolors & Wildlife: Painting with Jan at Rookery Bay June 20 – Reflections on Water $85, (includes all materials) Registration is required! Paint the beauty of coastal Naples and the wildlife of estuary waters in this watercolor painting class. Local artist Jan Deswik offers step-by-step simple instructions and creative support perfect for beginners or anyone inspired by the coastal environment and wants to bring it to life in a one-of a-kind painting. Each class spotlights a natural theme from shells to birdlife to local waterways. Held in classrooms at the Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, all materials are included. Participants will complete a painted piece with matte at each session. Essentials of Digital Photography Workshop June 22 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $55 Registration is required! If you want to get the best pictures possible and a true understanding of your camera's features, this camera workshop is for you. The class covers the essentials of your digital camera. You will learn how to use your camera's shutter, aperture, ISO control and the drive modes to create images with impact and creativity. Sonny Saunders has over 35 years of experience in photography and instruction and is renowned for his ability to communicate to a wide variety of students. No previous camera or photography experience is necessary, just a desire to learn.   Rookery Bay Eco Kayak & Boat Tours – Get out on the water with us! Join Rookery Bay Research Reserve for a guided boat tour or kayak adventure into the beautiful waters of Rookery Bay Research Reserve. With our kayak tours, guests paddle through beautiful mangrove tunnels, teeming mudflats and intricate oyster reefs while searching for amazing wildlife like sea stars, large snails, birds, dolphins and manatees! Our boat tours are small 6-passenger boats and offer a comfortable and informative ride. Guests can choose from different tours including a shelling trip to a deserted barrier island or a sunset tour. Call 239-530-5972 to find out more. Program Pilot: Addressing Climate Emotions in Schools Application deadline: May 31, 2024       |     Audience: Middle school teachers The Climate Mental Health Network and the National Environmental Education Foundation are seeking participants to pilot a new set of resources to address climate emotions in schools. These resources aim to prepare teachers to teach about climate change in developmentally appropriate ways and effectively respond to students' emotional reactions to this issue. Those selected to participate in the pilot will be paid $500 upon completion of the program. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Find out if you are eligible for participation in the program pilot and apply today. 2024 North Carolina Teachers On The Estuary  June 14-17, 2024 Participating in this Teachers on the Estuary workshop (TOTE) will provide educators the opportunity to: experience research & field-based teacher training, enhance understanding of estuary environments using local examples, incorporate  of estuary & watershed topics into classroom teaching, promote student stewardship of estuaries & watersheds, receive content aligned with national education standards and/or North Carolina Essential Standards. This opportunity is for Carteret County K-12 Teachers. To register, contact Lori Davis (lori.c.davis@ncdenr.gov) Chesapeake Bay NERR Virginia TOTE June 18, 2024 The topic for this Teachers on the Estuary workshop is TBD. Please check the Upcoming TOTE Workshops Webpage for additional details as they become available. Educators are encouraged to email Sarah Nuss (mcguire@vims.edu) to register. Erie County TOTE - Old Woman Creek NERR June 25-27, 2024     |     Audience: Middle and High School                                                  teachers, informal educators Connecting our agricultural county to our Great Lakes! Learn how our community's activities on the land impacts Lake Erie. K-12 teachers are invited to learn conservation strategies for agricultural land, your own backyard, and the lake shore; wade in to study the wetland ecology, water quality, and natural resource management survey techniques; and receive education materials targeted for your students. To register and obtain more information: contact Jennifer Bucheit (jennifer.bucheit@dnr.state.oh.us) Exploring the ACE Basin 2024 TOTE June 26-27, 2024 This workshop will explore the three rivers that give the ACE Basin its name: the Ashepoo, the Combahee and the Edisto. Part of the day will be spent in the marsh or on a boat with biologists and science educators learning how to monitor the estuary and analyze the data. The rest of the day will be spent planning how to translate that research to your students through lesson plans and educational resources. This workshop will be focused on investigating coastal environmental issues and ways to promote solutions in your classroom and school. Register for the ACE Basin NERR workshop                                   [Photo credit: Erica Connery, ACE Basin NERR]   Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Virtual Conference June 25-27, 2024 Join formal and non-informal educators from across the Mid-Atlantic to share ideas, resources, and inspiration for advancing education for climate action.  The $20 registration fee supports speaker fees, virtual platforms, and scholarships. Full scholarships are available for Mid-Atlantic educators. Register to attend the Mid-Atlantic Climate Change Education Conference. If needed, please apply for a scholarship available to Mid-Atlantic educators and students. Secondary earth and environmental science, civics, and social studies teachers are invited to learn a new place-based, NGSS-aligned science curriculum on natural hazards. The curricular unit includes a lesson on natural hazards (wildfire, flood, or drought) that uses current Colorado case studies and local datasets, a scenario-based role-play game, and a project-based learning unit for students to take action to make their community more resilient. Instructional strategies include community-engaged learning, gamification, and design thinking. Coursework will be available to complete at your own pace over 3 weeks (June 10-28), with three virtual class meetings scheduled based on participants' availability, and recorded for those who cannot make it.  Upon completion, attendees will receive 2 continuing education credits through the University of Colorado Boulder. Registration costs are free for Colorado educators. Sign up today! Summer Institute for Climate Change Education w/ Climate Generation July 15-19, 2024 Are you looking for a professional learning experience to rejuvenate you? The Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) will be co-leading the Summer Institute for Climate Change Education with Climate Generation. Join them for a virtual conference full of powerful and engaging keynote speakers, meaningful discussion about the intersection of social justice and climate change, and collaborative conversations between a national network of climate change education leaders. $250 Registration. Scholarships are available. Using Data Puzzles to Explore Ecological Tipping Points Wednesday, July 17-Thursday, July 18 from 11 am -3 pm ET each day. Audience: Middle and High School Science Teachers In this free virtual teacher workshop, you'll hear from curriculum developer Jon Griffith and featured CIRES Scientists as they walk you through the Data Puzzles instructional framework in the context of new and exciting phenomena. Participants will engage with Data Puzzle lesson tasks from both the teacher and student perspective and leave the workshop prepared to facilitate Data Puzzle lessons in their classrooms! We'll also be joined by our good friend, Kristin Hunter-Thomson from Dataspire, who will describe different ways we can help students "muck about" with data to get comfortable with and better understand it. NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship: Applications now open! Audience: Students in grades 9-12 | Application Deadline: June 10, 2024 NOAA has opened of the NOAA Young Changemakers Fellowship application for the 2024-2025 school year. This program is designed for high school students who are passionate about the environment, climate, ocean, Great Lakes, and/or coasts. Participants receive mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and financial resources to design and lead an action project in their community. They also learn about and share their perspectives on NOAA priorities, helping to inform the decisions that NOAA leaders make. Full participation comes with an $800 stipend and paid travel to Washington, D.C., for a kick-off summit in July 2024. Questions? Contact: young.changemakers@noaa.gov. [The Young Changemakers Fellowship class of 2023-2024. Photo Credit: NOAA] NASA Spotlite Design Challenge Audience: Students in grades 6-12 NASA Spotlites are short (90 to 120 second) student-produced videos where learners actively confront and disprove science misconceptions. Student teams choose a topic area for their video (e.g., Solar Eclipses, Clouds, Land Covering, Mars, Moon, and Plant Movement); select a misconception within the topic area to debunk; and identify criteria, brainstorm ideas, select a design (e.g., experiments, animation, demonstration) to capture questions and findings, and create the video. Finally, students refine their design and share the videos on the NASA eClips website.  Accept the Spotlite Design Challenge! (Note: Teachers MUST register student teams on the Spotlite website to participate in the challenge and create and share videos.) 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge Submission deadline: June 12, 2024 The Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP) is excited to announce its 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge (YIC): Advancing Marine Conservation! This year's challenge provides an opportunity for young people ages 15–30 around the world to share their innovative solutions to protect marine resources. The challenge explores how we can address marine issues, including loss of biodiversity, marine debris, lack of awareness, and other related issues, and support people of all ages to be engaged stewards to support marine environments. The YIC seeks solutions that are innovative, feasible, and informed by research. Winning solutions will receive global recognition and a $1,000 USD prize and be invited to attend the YIC award ceremony at the Taiwan OCA's marine debris conference in Taiwan in September 2024 (all travel expenses covered)!  Find out more about the Challenge and register to participate today! BIMS Bites Kids-Guardians of the Chesapeake Bay: Exploring the Eastern Oyster Embark on an exciting journey into the world of oysters, providing viewers with a comprehensive introduction. This episode will delve into the basics of oysters, offering insights into their health, biology, and ecology. By exploring these fundamental aspects, we aim to lay a strong foundation for understanding and appreciating the importance of oysters in our marine ecosystems. Graphic Novel Series – Astrobiology: The Story of Our Search for Life in the Universe Are you curious about the origin of life on Earth and the potential for life beyond our planet? Explore the story of life in the Universe – or at least the story as we know it so far – with this series of graphic novels about the history of astrobiology.   In the latest issue, find out what it takes to become an astrobiologist. Turn the pages to learn everything from what to study in school to opportunities for starting a career as a scientist. Energy Card Game Designed for grades 3-8, with this engaging card game students learn about the Sun as the ultimate source of energy for most processes and living things on Earth. While playing the game, students create connections that show energy converting from one form to another so they can better comprehend the connections between fuel sources. Make complex energy concepts accessible and fun with this printable card game. Climate Change Explained In this SubjectToClimate course, teachers will learn about climate change basics. The course consists of five modules, including the history of climate science, climate science basics, and climate solutions. Recycle or Not Game Use this sorting game to test recycling knowledge in an engaging way. Toshiba America Foundation Grants Application Deadline: June 1, 2024 Teachers of grades 6–12 can apply online for a Toshiba America Foundation grant of less than $5,000 to help bring an innovative project into their own classroom. If you have a unique idea for improving STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning in your classroom, and if your idea involves project-based learning with measurable outcomes. Grant decisions will be made by July 15. NSHSS Conference Grants Application deadline: August 15, 2024 The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is providing five $500 grants for NSHSS Educators to help defray the costs of educational conference registration, travel, and accommodations. Registration as an NSHSS Educator is free on the website. Join the American Climate Corps! The American Climate Corps is officially opening its doors and accepting applications! More than 2,000 positions are available across 36 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico for those ready to fight climate change. This is a historic step towards a more sustainable and resilient future that everyone can join. NESTA Seeking Executive Director The National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) is seeking an Executive Director (ED) to lead its vibrant community of Earth and space science educators into the future. The organization is for K-12 educators and is led by K-12 educators. The ideal candidate has a passion for Earth science education and has connections to support our mission "Champion excellence in Earth and Space Science for all in a community of support." Visit the webpage to learn more about NESTA, and for details about the position, reach out to Belinda Jacobs at bjrockgirl11@gmail.com or Missy Holzer, PhD at missy.holzer@gmail.com. Education/Equity Bytes Children's Books that Celebrate Women in Science Climate La Niña Could Bring Record-Breaking Heat To The U.S. This Summer—What To Know Climate scientists account for urban heat island effects, corroborate data | Fact check Ocean, Coastal Weather, Sea Ice, Ocean Life, Water FIU Researchers Use this Unexpected Tool to Clean Dirty Canals in South Florida Reaching a Major Oyster Restoration Milestone in Virginia's York River North Atlantic right whales are in trouble. Is technology ready to save them? New Animal Discovered 3,000 Feet Below Ocean Surface Sea turtle returning home after successful rehabilitation in Florida Weather Extremes and Other Science News of Note How do you forecast a solar storm? Space weather experts explain NOAA Planet Stewards Education Program Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Stay Connected with NOAA's National Ocean Service Manage Subscriptions   This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: NOAA's National Ocean Service · SSMC4, Room 9601 · 1305 East-West Hwy · Silver Spring, MD 20910