Start the new school year by keeping students excited about science! We've compiled a list of ten October science observance days and free teaching resources to help you plan engaging activities to keep your students curious and thinking.

Use these free science resources to create fun, thought-provoking activities that help students appreciate the science in their everyday lives! 

• Energy Efficiency Day (Oct. 2): Created to promote energy efficiency with participation from local companies, governments, universities, and utilities. [details] [free resources]
• Manufacturing Day (Oct. 4): Celebrated every year, MD joins thousands of manufacturers across North America to showcase what modern manufacturing looks like and inspire the next generation. [details] [free resources]

• World Space Week (Oct. 4-10): Created by The UN General Assembly in 1999 to celebrate science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. [details] [free resources]

• National Metric Week (Oct. 6-12): Created by The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) May 1976, the year after the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 was enacted, to promote the metric system. Be a part of the event by solving problems using the metric system! [details] [free resources]

• Ada Lovelace Day (Oct. 4): Ada Lovelace Day, the first computer programmer, is celebrated on this day. It celebrates women's accomplishments in STEM and encourages girls and women to seek careers in these fields. [details] [free resources]

• Earth Science Week (Oct. 13-19): Founded in 1998 by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) to encourage better public understanding of and appreciation for the Earth Sciences and Earth stewardship. [details] [free resources]

• Imagine a Day Without Water (Oct. 17): Everyone has a stake in the future of our nation’s water! IDWW unites individuals, communities, and policymakers to advance greater and more equitable investment in water. The theme for this milestone year is: what’s your drop in the bucket? [details] [free resources]

• National Chemistry Week (Oct. 20-26): Created by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to unite student communities, businesses, schools, and individuals in communicating the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. The mission is to reach the public, particularly elementary and secondary school children, with positive messages about chemistry [details] [free resources]
• Nuclear Science Week (Oct. 21-25): An international event that promotes the importance of nuclear science offering activities that highlight past achievements in nuclear science and future opportunities. [details] [free resources]

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