Come to NOAA’s Open House and explore your world

Celebrating 50 years of science, service, and stewardship

UPDATED: September 25, 2020. Due to continued concerns with COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of our volunteers and visitors we have postponed the NOAA Open House for this year. Please watch for updates for next year’s event.
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Experience hurricane-force winds, launch a satellite, learn how clouds form, dive into an underwater park, build a boat, sniff out seafood quality, and more at the annual NOAA Open House. NOAA turns 50 this year, so come help us celebrate! 

 
2018 NOAA Open House - NOAA mascot Owlie Skywarn with Hurricane Hunter pilots and NOAA Corps officers

2018 NOAA Open House - NOAA mascot Owlie Skywarn with Hurricane Hunter pilots and NOAA Corps officers (Image credit: NOAA)

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Join us Saturday, March 14 at NOAA’s Silver Spring, Maryland campus for a series of hands-on, science-focused activities, including engaging guest presentations and interactive exhibits suitable for ages 5 and up. 

This free event is perfect for the whole family. (*Adults, please remember to bring your photo IDs to gain building access). 

WHAT:           NOAA Open House                      

WHEN:           Saturday, March 14; 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

WHERE:         1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland

                       A government-issued photo ID is required for adults.

PARKING:     There is free, plentiful public parking in a garage directly under the NOAA campus. We encourage using public transportation, but please note that Metro has scheduled track work on March 14 and is expected to close Silver Spring station. Visit https://www.wmata.com/ for details.

Activities

NOAA’s reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor. You can explore our world with hands-on activities and meet and talk with scientists, weather forecasters, hurricane hunter pilots, ocean explorers, and others who lead NOAA’s science, service, and stewardship mission. 

Speaker series

Speaker series are held in the NOAA Science Center auditorium.

Sanctuaries 360° - 11 a.m. - Explore national marine sanctuaries through virtual reality! From the thriving kelp forests of the Channel Islands in California to the emerald blue waters of Hawaii, few places on Earth can compete with the natural and cultural resources found within these underwater parks. Bring your cell phones to get into your sanctuary! 

Hurricane Hunter! - 1:30 p.m. - Learn from NOAA Hurricane Hunter pilot and NOAA Corps officer Lt. Cmdr. Robert Mitchell what it’s like to fly into the eye of a hurricane to gather data essential to storm forecasting and research! 

Special ticketed tours 

Ticketed tours are held throughout the day. Come early: these tickets are limited and available at the Information Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The Information Desk opens at 8:30 a.m.

National Weather Service Operations Center - Learn first-hand what NOAA’s National Weather Service does during high-impact events and what they are doing to build a Weather-Ready Nation. (Ages 7 and up. Photo ID required for adults. No bags, strollers, backpacks or ice chests allowed with the exception of small purses and tote bags. Personal belongings subject to inspection). 

Science on a Sphere® - See Earth in a way you have never seen before! Science On a Sphere® is a room-sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six-foot diameter sphere. Imagine a giant animated globe with a fascinating visual display of all types of data that help illustrate Earth science. (Ages 7 and up. Photo ID required for adults.  Personal belongings subject to inspection). 

Questions about the open house? Email GatewaytoNOAA@noaa.gov.