Applications Now Open!
The Earth to Sky Academy is a tuition-free course for interpreters, informal educators, and science communicators interested in creating and nurturing regional communities of practice focused on improving climate science communication.
- When: November 18–22, 2024
- Where: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD)
- Team Applications Due May 24, 2024 - See Instructions Below
The Earth to Sky Academy is intended for teams of experienced informal educators and climate communication leaders who have a strong commitment to furthering climate literacy within their respective regions.
The purpose of the Academy is to train Regional Leaders who will conduct regional Earth to Sky (ETS) courses and nurture their own Earth to Sky Regional Community of Practice. Academy content is based on over 20 years of experience and extensive evaluation of the ETS model. Participants will be supported every step of the way, before, during, and after the course.
For the first time, existing teams may re-apply to attend the Academy. This may be desirable if the team has significant turnover or new goals which could be catalyzed by returning to the Academy.
Academy Goals
Create a network of Earth to Sky Regional Leaders who will:
- Catalyze, nurture, and sustain a regional community of practice of climate science communicators.
- Develop and conduct effective ETS-style professional development events in their region.
- Participate in the ETS Regional Leaders Network to further the mission of ETS.
Participants at the 2019 Academy discuss with a NASA scientist after one of the sessions. 
Academy participants work with their team members at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. 
Participants become familiar with NASA educational tools, including GLOBE Observer.
Learn more
The updated informational webinar will be Wednesday, May 8, 4 - 5 pm ET / 1 - 2 pm PT. Register here
Register for Informational Webinar
Each applicant on a team must view our informational webinar, either live or recorded.
The recorded webinar shown here is from the previous Academy in 2022. The information here still generally applies, but it would be best to attend the new informational webinar if possible.
Read answers to questions addressed in this webinar and others:
Apply Now
Preference will be given to teams that include an alum of a previous ETS course or mini-course. Teams without an alum will have the opportunity to take an Earth to Sky virtual course over the summer of 2024. Applicants that provide thoughtful plans for serving place-based interpreters and place-based informal educators, Earth to Sky's core audience, will also receive selection preference.
To apply, by May 24, 2024, complete and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. a single document which includes your team's answers to discussion, and profiles of each individual applicant. You may complete the document in two ways: (a) download this Word document and fill it out, or (b) copy and fill out this Google Doc.
Get Updates
We will send out relevant news and reminders through the Academy Interest mailing list (separate from our main Earth to Sky mailing list). To join the list, send a blank message to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "join" in the subject line:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To gain full access to our extensive resources, the community directory, member map, and mailing list, join the Earth to Sky community! All are welcome to participate in monthly Earth to Sky events, including Climate Conversations and Climate in Your Pocket mini-webinars.
Reach Out!
Questions? Want to discuss your plans and get feedback? Need help connecting with potential teammates in your region? Email Geneviève de Messières: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.