Article Provided By ORTA Team 12/30/24
NOAA’s scientists presented a large number of papers and posters at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference \ in Washington, D.C. on December 9-13th. AGU’s annual meeting is the largest gathering of Earth and space scientists, bringing together over 25,000 attendees from more than 100 countries to share research and connect with friends and colleagues. In the Exhibit Hall, the NOAA booth had staff on hand to discuss NOAA’s engagement in science and technologies that range from the bottom of the ocean out into space.
Figures 1-2: Ember ready for duty prior to the Exhibit Hall opening sporting her stylish bandannas (Photo Credit: NOAA)
One very big draw at the booth was NOAA’s Canine Ambassador, Ember. Ember was a magnet at the NOAA booth for attendees, meeting over 3,000 participants and taking countless photos with them. Many thought Ember was a teddy bear and not real! Sweet Ember was a real treat for all who met her.
Ember is a K-9 Caring Angel Therapy Dog and is a key asset for the Office of Research, Transition and Application (ORTA) for outreach events.
Figures 3-4: Participants swarming Ember (NOAA’s Canine Ambassador) to meet her (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Many other exhibitors also came by the NOAA booth and suggested that NOAA gets the gold star for having Ember onsite to be the magnet.
Figures 5, 6, 7: NOAA Colleagues Steve Voltz (Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service), Michael Kruk (Deputy Director Transition Partnership Office), and LCDR Casey Marwine (NOAA CORP Office of Marine and Aviation Operations) are a few of the NOAA staff that met Ember (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor (Aruna Miller) stopped by the NOAA exhibit booth and met Ember. AGU participants included students and their parents from elementary, middle and high schools, all of whom enjoyed meeting Ember. Ember posed in front of the AGU Sign on the last day and the picture went viral with participants wanting to come meet her.
Figures: 8-9: Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor (Aruna Miller) and AGU guests meet and greet Ember (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Figure 10: Ember (NOAA’s Canine Ambassador) poses in front of AGU sign (Photo Credit: NOAA)
Ember was also interviewed by the AGU News staff, who conducted interviews with participants asking what they feel is next for science. Ember is featured in the news cast segment at 37:50.
In light of Ember’s work at AGU, NOAA created a postcard from the field.
Figure 11: Postcard from the field spreading “paw-sitivity” at AGU (Credit: NOAA)
Ember was so popular that AGU included her in their news releases every day! A salute goes out to Ember for her outstanding service as NOAA’s Canine Ambassador providing care and comfort to all who she meets.