Why does NOAA invest in education? Why did Congress include a broad education mandate for NOAA in the America COMPETES Act passed in August 2007? NOAA is the national leader for oceanic and atmospheric science, major components of Earth system science. Earth system science is a core science topic in all the state education standards in the nation. Direct involvement by NOAA in supporting Earth system science education is the most efficient and effective way to ensure that the most relevant and up to date information about the oceans and atmosphere is provided. NOAA also has a responsibility to support the development of a highly qualified future workforce with the best and brightest students earning degrees in meteorology, oceanography, marine biology and other NOAA related sciences. Explore these and other related issues in this presentation.