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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Math
Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Sea level rise
Tsunamis
Tides
Ocean currents

A resource to find tide and current data from NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services website.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product

Topic

Climate
Ocean and coasts
Sea level rise
Climate data monitoring

Explore sea level changes across the globe on this interactive map with annual data from at least 30 years. Arrows indicate whether and to what extent the sea level is rising or falling. You can also view global and regional trends and anomalies. This website includes numerical data, graphs and figures, and modeled data.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Climate
Technology and engineering
Sea level rise
Climate change impacts
GPS and geodesy
Satellites
Buoys

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Scientists use high-tech instruments to determine how much sea levels are changing, both locally and globally.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Marine life
Conservation
Fisheries and seafood
Marine mammals
Ocean and coasts
Earth processes
Ocean acidification
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Oil spills
Sea level rise

The ocean is in trouble, but you can help save it! Every day the news is filled with stories about issues affecting our ocean, such as marine debris, ocean acidification, and sea level rise. But most stories will not explain how individuals can help. The Sea Stewards Handbook is here to teach you what you need to know to help save the world, or at least the 70% of it that is covered in saltwater.

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
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Sea level rise
Endangered species
Marine mammals

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today

As Arctic ice continues to melt, it will cause ripple effects across the planet for both animals and people. Here are some of the impacts.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Sea level rise
Endangered species

Collection name

Ocean Today

How does melting sea ice impact animals, their habitats, and sea level rise?

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Climate
Technology and engineering
Cryosphere
Satellites
Ships and planes
Climate change impacts
Sea level rise

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

There are three main ways that scientists measure Arctic ice: satellites, aircraft, and on-site, or “in situ” measuring. It is these multiple observations that provide a more complete picture and story of the ice.

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
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Sea level rise
Endangered species

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

As Arctic ice continues to melt, it will cause ripple effects across the planet. Here are some of the impacts.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product

Topic

Climate
Ocean and coasts
Sea level rise
Climate change impacts

Explore real-time tide, weather, and current observations from an interactive station map. Find high and low tide values, graphs of measurements over time, and modeled predictions by clicking on a station.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Sea level rise
Climate change impacts
Hurricanes

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

From Delaware Sea Grant, this website explains storm flooding, sea level rise, and hurricane storm surge risks with specific local examples.