NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database

⚠️ This page recently underwent an update. If you had bookmarked direct links to search results from this page prior to March 18, 2024, those links may no longer work and you may need to make a new bookmark. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at education@noaa.gov.

Welcome to our searchable database of education resources created by NOAA and our partners. If you have issues or feedback, please let us know by filling out our feedback form offsite link or sending us an email at education@noaa.gov.

Tips for using the database

Searching for terms that contain more than one word.

Use quotation marks around multiple-word phrases you want to search. For example, searching “climate change” will return resources about “climate change.” If you don’t include quotation marks, it will return resources that include either the word “climate” or “change.” 

Opening resources in a new tab.

 Follow the instructions below for the device you are using.

  • PC: Hold down the control (ctrl) key while clicking the link. Or, right-click the link and select “open in new tab.”
  • Mac: Hold down the command key while clicking the link.
  • iPhone or iPad: Press and hold the link. Select “open in new tab” from the pop-up menu.
  • Android device: Press and hold the link. Select “open in new tab” from the pop-up menu

Expanding categories.

Each category has a plus sign (+) to expand the available filters within the category. Some categories have subcategories. Look for the plus sign (+) to see more filterable items.

Making the most of the filterable categories.

There are several categories you can use to filter through the resources. 

  • “Audience” filters by grade level, including postsecondary education, and also has a filter option for adult learners.
  • “Subject” filters by the general subject area, such as Arts, Earth science, Math, and more.
  • “Resource Type” filters allow you to look for resources ranging from activities, lessons, and units to videos or background information.
  • “Topic” filters are more specific than subject. They include filters such as climate, freshwater, and weather and atmosphere.
  • “NGSS DCI” filters by Next Generation Science Standards Disciplinary Core Ideas. Only activities, lessons, and units (and no other resource types) have NGSS DCI associated with them. Not all activities, lessons, and units have this alignment.
  • “Special categories” offers additional filters for specific types of resources and topics, such as printables, resources available in other languages, and safety/preparedness.

Exploring activities, lessons, and units.

Activities, lessons, and units are bundled together under resource type. You can expand to filter for only one type. Activity/demonstration refers to straightforward activities with little or no classroom strategy or pedagogy. Lesson refers to structured activities that are intended for a classroom audience. Module/unit refers to a collection of lessons that can build upon each other over multiple class periods or times of instruction; some people might call this a curriculum. 

Understanding instructional strategies.

Within special categories, there is an expandable filter called “instructional strategies.” This includes special filters that are applicable for some lessons, activities, and units, including things like “outdoor education” and “uses data.”

 

No results match your search.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Poster/brochure

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion

Indiana campaign focusing on the critical importance of protecting coastal resources has captivated thousands of state residents with vibrant, information-dense illustrations that are unveiled roughly every two years. The Indiana Lake Michigan Coastal Program helms the poster campaign, with funding assistance from NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management, and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency via the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. You can request free copies of these posters from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Collection
NOAA Education resource collection

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion

This resource collection from NOAA Education explores the Great Lakes system offsite link, which includes five large lakes, one small lake, four connecting channels, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. The large lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. They hold about 90% of the freshwater in the United States and approximately 20% of the world's freshwater supply. Forty million residents of the United States and Canada depend on this system for clean drinking water.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine life
Fish
Fisheries and seafood
Invertebrates
Marine mammals
Salmon
Sea turtles
Sharks, rays, and skates

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Region
Alaska region
Pacific Islands region

NOAA Fisheries video gallery has short videos organized by topic and region. Explore Fisheries videos from across the country!

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine mammals
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Cultural heritage

The sites of your National Marine Sanctuary System are hubs for science, exploration, and education. At any given time, researchers are in sanctuaries exploring the deep, monitoring kelp forests, tracking coral reef health, and more. Sanctuaries Live gives you a front row seat to sanctuary science. Watch expedition livestreams, chat with scientists, master educational resources, and more. As we learn more about the mysteries of the ocean, we can better protect our blue planet. Keep this page bookmarked and check back regularly for new opportunities.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Images
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Great Lakes ecoregion
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Scientists in action

Collection name

Great Lakes photo gallery

This expansive Great Lake photo collection includes a wide variety of photo galleries, including harmful algal blooms, fish, historical images, ice, environmental sampling, shipwrecks, restoration, and more. The collection is curated by the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Arts
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Invasive species
Great Lakes ecoregion
Weather systems and patterns
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

H.O.M.E.S. at Home webinars

Join Michigan Sea Grant for a series of fun-filled, family-friendly videos jam-packed full of Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior or “H.O.M.E.S.”) fun facts, activity suggestions for your family, and daily challenges. Each video provides a high-energy experience that engages people of all ages in learning about the Great Lakes and activities you can do right at home! Anyone who completes five challenges will be emailed a Great Lakes Jr. Scientist certificate to print and proudly display at home.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Poster/brochure

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Invertebrates
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals

Special categories

Printable
Cultural heritage

As a part of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 National Marine Sanctuary Act, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries released posters capturing the beauty and diversity of your National Marine Sanctuary System.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Arts
Humanities/liberal arts
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Collection
Multimedia
Simulation
Video

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine life
Aquatic food webs
Coral reef ecosystems
Ecosystems
Fish
Invertebrates
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Virtual reality/VR

Collection name

Sanctuaries 360 virtual dives

Dive in without getting wet! Your National Marine Sanctuary System protects a network of underwater parks encompassing more than 600,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters, and now you can visit these amazing places in the blink of an eye. From the thriving kelp forests of Channel Islands to the treasured coral reefs of the Florida Keys, few places on the planet can compete with the wonders of the National Marine Sanctuary System. Come along as we experience these underwater treasures through eight virtual reality videos. Check out the Next Generation Science Standard lesson plans that complement the VR videos to go deeper.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Ecosystems
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries LIVE Interactions

​Live events, tailored for students and run through Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, will connect viewers with national marine sanctuary experts in research, education, and exploration in real time. Through the following programs, you will be able to learn about national marine sanctuaries and ask questions to leading experts in their field.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Podcast
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Salmon
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Tides
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Sea Grant podcasts

Many Sea Grant programs host or support podcasts that highlight ocean, coastal and Great Lakes topics. Some of the podcasts offer a quick overview of relevant science and others feature conversations with coastal residents, researchers or other experts. Find the perfect podcast, whether for a lesson plan or entertainment on your morning commute!