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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Commonly defined as tornadoes over water, waterspouts can be both beautiful and dangerous.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Game/online activity
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Satellites
Changing seasons
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Collection name

CIMSS weather and climate activities

This collection of interactive web apps includes activities on precipitation, storms, snow, hurricanes, climate, and more.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes

An overview on the SKYWARN Spotter program with information about spotting tornadoes, flash floods, wall and funnel clouds, lightning, winter weather, wind, hail, marine hazards, and more.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Special categories

Safety/preparedness
Education at home
Instructional strategies

What's a severe thunderstorm or tornado watch? How's it different from a warning? What actions should be taken when a watch is issued? Get the answers to these frequently asked questions here!

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Simulation
Module/unit
Background information
Activities, lessons, and units
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

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. In this module, you will learn about thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, and the key features for each type of wild weather using satellite images.