Space science education and outreach at the national center for atmospheric research

The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado offers several space science related education and outreach programs reaching a wide range of audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. Through our exhibit program, we provide a museum-based opportunity to learn about space weather and the Sun's impact on Earth's climate in our new Climate Discovery exhibit. Through our professional development program, we provide middle and high school educators background information on the Sun and its role in the Earth climate system and space weather, as well as curriculum modules that assist them in addressing this topic effectively in the classroom. Through the Windows to the Universe website (http://www.windows.ucar.edu) we provide extensive, multi-level and multi-lingual content on space science research reaching over 500,000 users per month around the world. Modeling, the role models play in helping scientists understand space science research topics, and how models can be used in educational context are themes interwoven through our space science education and outreach programs. We are currently developing an expanded Space Weather section on the Windows to the Universe website (activity supported through the NSF-funded Boston University Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling) that includes a fourth, introductory undergraduate level of content.