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 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Collection name

SciJinks

A video from SciJinks on how tornadoes form.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Background information
Collection

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring
Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides
Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
El Niño and La Niña
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Informal
Printable
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

JetStream: An online school for weather

This site is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather and weather safety. The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject; beginning with global and large-scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones and flooding. Interspersed in JetStream are "Learning Lessons" which can be used to enhance the educational experience.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
Drought
Fires
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

This glossary contains information on more than 2000 terms, phrases, and abbreviations used by the National Weather Service (NWS). Many of these terms and abbreviations are used by NWS forecasters to communicate between each other and have been in use for many years and before many NWS products were directly available to the public.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Data product
Easy-to-use data product
Intermediate data product

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons
Climate data monitoring
Space
Space weather
Weather and atmosphere
Drought
Fires
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service provides accurate forecasts for not only local and national weather conditions, but forecasts for marine, river, and lake conditions, fire weather, space weather, and much more. You can also find safety information and links to find past weather.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons
Climate data monitoring
Cryosphere
Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Space
Space weather
Technology and engineering
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Weather and atmosphere
Fires
Tornadoes
Weather systems and patterns

Collection name

NOAA Boulder scientists explain science

In NOAA Boulder's ask-a-scientist portal, scientists explain different weather and climate concepts, like weather in space all the way down to things we experience here on Earth.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Game/online activity
Video

Topic

Climate
Carbon cycle
Changing seasons
Climate change impacts
Climate data monitoring
Ocean and coasts
Harmful algal blooms
Tides
Space
Auroras
Eclipses
Space weather
Technology and engineering
Satellites
Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
Drought
El Niño and La Niña
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Printable
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

SciJinks

NOAA SciJinks inspires and engages students to learn about weather, satellite meteorology and Earth science. Their page includes background reading, videos, activities, crafts, and more!

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

ELA (English Language Arts)
Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Module/unit
Background information
Collection
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Special categories

Informal
Safety/preparedness
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Satellite meteorology learning modules

Meteorology is an excellent topic to introduce middle and high school students to geoscience, physics, chemistry and applied mathematics. Satellite Meteorology learning modules provide scientists and educators with exciting activities and hands-on tools for investigation, inquiry, analysis and stewardship.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information
Collection

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Collection name

Severe weather 101

What is a wall cloud? What's the difference between a watch and a warning? Is it ever “too cold to snow”? Learn all about thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, lightning, floods, damaging winds, and severe winter weather from the National Severe Storms Lab.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Frequently asked questions about tornadoes from the Storm Prediction Center.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

This website is designed to teach you how to stay safe when a tornado threatens. If you know what to do before, during and after a tornado, you will minimize your risk of injury and increase your chances of survival. You'll also find links to research, past events other topics of interest as well as downloadable safety handouts about thunderstorms, lightning, and tornadoes.