NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database

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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
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Collection
Multimedia
Video
Webinar
Related story

Topic

Climate
Climate change
Climate change impacts
Climate data monitoring
Marine life
Adaptations
Coral reef ecosystems
Conservation
Ecosystems
Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification

A rapidly changing climate brings challenges to our underwater parks in ways we have never seen before. Climate-related impacts, like changing weather patterns and storm events, warming seas, ocean acidification, and sea level rise, are becoming more prevalent around the globe. Changes in climate will affect national marine sanctuaries and the overall health of the ocean, which is vital to our quality of life and, ultimately, our survival.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Technology and engineering
Cryosphere
Satellites
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Marine mammals
Seabirds
Fish
Invertebrates

Collection name

Ocean Today

Ocean Today host Symone Johnson introduces the Animals of the Ice video collection, which explores animals like polar bears and penguins and how climate change impacts them.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Cryosphere
Marine mammals
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts

This video gives an overview of the Arctic Report Card 2020, with information about climate change and warming, fires, and bowhead whales. Read the full report card at: https://www.arctic.noaa.gov/Report-Card.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Climate data monitoring
Weather observations

Chief Meteorologist Jim Gandy, at WLTX in Columbia, South Carolina, earned his reputation as a leading TV meteorologist by giving his viewers what they want: sound science and interesting visuals in a delivery style that's crisp and easy to understand. Gandy expanded his reports to include locally focused climate science information on topics that directly touch viewers' lives.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring

The extent to which our home planet changes in response to increases in man-made heat-trapping gases is one of the foremost questions for the scientific community, policy makers, and the general public alike. To help answer this question, NOAA’s Global Monitoring Division produces the Annual Greenhouse Gas Index—a yearly report on the combined influence of long-lived greenhouse gases on Earth’s surface temperature.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Career profile
Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Climate
Climate change impacts
Climate data monitoring
Marine life
Fisheries and seafood
NOAA careers
Ocean and coasts
Ocean chemistry
Ocean sounds
Space
Space weather
Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations

Collection name

NOAA Boulder Labs: Meet our team

Learn about the different types of career paths that are available at the NOAA Boulder campus. Many NOAA employees are scientists, but there are also administrative staff, tech workers, science communicators, and more!

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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about "black carbon," which is a fancy name for soot, and its role in climate change. Black carbon comes from sources like burning fossil fuels, forest fires, and cookstoves. The video transcript is available in English and Spanish.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Harmful algal blooms
Cryosphere
Sea level rise
Water cycle
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle
El Niño and La Niña
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean floor features
Ocean acidification

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Questions and answers about how we study the ocean and what we've learned. Topics include harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico, climate recaps, climate change, ocean exploration, Arctic sea ice, and more