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.”

 

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Arts
Earth science
Engineering and technology
Life science
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Module/unit
Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Images
Video

Topic

Marine life
Adaptations
Aquatic food webs
Coral reef ecosystems
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Ocean and coasts
Earth processes
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean chemistry
Ocean currents
Ocean exploration
Ocean floor features
Technology and engineering
Mapping and charting
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

NGSS DCI

ESS2: Earth’s Systems
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
ETS1: Engineering Design
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
PS1: Matter and Its Interactions
PS3: Energy
PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Informal

Collection name

Deep Ocean Education Project Website

The Deep Ocean Education Project is a collaboration among NOAA Ocean Exploration, Ocean Exploration Trust, and Schmidt Ocean Institute featuring high-quality ocean exploration and science education materials from the three organizations. The Deep Ocean Education Project website – launched in 2021 – is built around themes that are easily searchable, address key ocean-related phenomena, and encourage and support three-dimensional approaches to teaching and learning for K-12 education. The objective is to provide a one-stop resource hub for public, educators, and students looking for deep-sea educational materials. The website also includes information on how to connect with research vessels, including a list of upcoming events and opportunities, and live feeds of expeditions.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology
Physical science

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Climate
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis
Space
Space weather
Technology and engineering
Mapping and charting
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ships and planes
Weather and atmosphere
Drought
Fires
Weather systems and patterns

Collection name

Do you NOAA?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to take a trip on a science plane, or what an incident meteorologist does? Come take a trip through our science and see what you already do, and do not, NOAA!

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product
Background information
Collection

Topic

Technology and engineering
Satellites
Mapping and charting
Ships and planes

Collection name

Explore remote sensing

Learn more about remote sensing with this collection of resources from the National Ocean service. Remote sensing is the science of obtaining information about objects or areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or spacecraft. NOAA scientists collect and use remotely sensed data for a range of activities, from mapping coastlines, to supporting military and disaster response personnel, to monitoring hurricane activity.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ocean exploration
Ocean floor features

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design
PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer
ESS2: Earth’s Systems

Collection name

Ocean Exploration facts

Despite its importance, the majority of our ocean is largely unknown. However, through exploration, we're learning more about its biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological aspects. Exploration leads to discovery, but before we can truly explore, we must map. Learn more about how we explore the ocean and how we estimate what is left to explore!

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Satellites
GPS and geodesy
Mapping and charting
Ships and planes
Ocean exploration
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

Today’s technologies allow us to explore the ocean in increasingly systematic, scientific, and noninvasive ways. With continuing scientific and technological advances, our ability to observe the ocean environment and its resident creatures is beginning to catch up with our imaginations, expanding our understanding and appreciation of this still largely unexplored realm. This webpage highlights some of the technologies that make exploration possible today and the scientific achievements that result from this exploration.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
Mapping and charting
Ocean sounds
Ships and planes
Ocean exploration
Harmful algal blooms
Tides
Ocean floor features
Ocean currents

Collection name

Ocean facts

Read through dozens of answered questions about ocean technology.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
GPS and geodesy
Mapping and charting
Ocean floor features

Collection name

Ocean facts

Explore information on ocean geodesy and geology.

Audience

College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
GPS and geodesy
Mapping and charting

The tutorial explains an overview of the history, essential elements, and modern methods of geodesy.