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 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds

"Sonobuoys" record ocean sounds and are deployed over the side of a ship to send back real-time recordings.

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Video
Webinar
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Marine mammals
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds

Learn more about the intelligent mammals that inhabit our ocean, the problems they face, and their importance in the marine ecosystem. Read to explore NOAA’s efforts to protect dolphin populations and how national marine sanctuaries benefit dolphins.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Images
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Sharks, rays, and skates

Learn about one of the ocean’s top predators — sharks — and their critical role in maintaining the marine ecosystem. This collection features NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries resources for everyone to explore NOAA’s efforts to research and conserve shark populations, how sharks support the sanctuary system, and more.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Images
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Sea turtles

Special categories

Virtual reality/VR

Sea turtles are a key part of marine ecosystems worldwide, but they face many threats today. Explore a collection of NOAA webinars, a virtual reality dive, lesson plans, videos, posters, web stories, and more to gain a deeper understanding of sea turtle species and NOAA's efforts within the sanctuary system to protect them and limit the threats they face.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Sea turtles

Special categories

Region
Alaska region

Most people associate sea turtles with warm, tropical destinations. You might be surprised to learn that some sea turtle species can also be found in the frigid ocean waters off Alaska. 

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals

In 2022, NOAA Fisheries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This landmark legislation protects all marine mammals in U.S. waters, including four Species in the Spotlight.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds

SanctSound, a four-year effort led by NOAA, the U.S. Navy, and over 20 partner organizations to better understand the underwater soundscape of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The SanctSound team has been able to gather a wealth of data on the sounds heard in seven national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Marine mammals

After nearly three years of asking, warning, and pleading with the public to let “Izzy” the dolphin be left alone in the wild, her story has a final chapter. Izzy, who was rescued by members of the marine mammal stranding network, will spend the remainder of her life at a permanent care facility in Florida.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals

A gray seal that showed up in a Beverly, Massachusetts pond quickly won over the town’s hearts during his week-long stay before officials relocated him.