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
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Located in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Aquarius Reef Base supports one of the longest running and detailed coral reef monitoring programs in the world.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Invertebrates
Fisheries and seafood
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

The chemicals we use to prevent fires can end up in our ocean. Mussels and oysters are filter feeders can help us monitor the level of contamination.

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
Climate
Coral reef ecosystems
Climate change impacts
Fires

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

NOAA climatologist Tom Di Liberto recaps the record-hot weather of 2019.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Marine mammals

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

When marine scientists come across a group of sick or dead dolphins, they need to find out why, so they can better protect them. But giving a dolphin a checkup in the wild isn't easy. It requires a large team of trained vets and scientists. They use specially designed nets and equipment in order to safely capture and gently restrain these large animals. And believe it or not, their checkups are a lot like ours.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Ocean chemistry

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, where oxygen in the water is so low it can no longer sustain marine life in bottom or near bottom waters – literally a dead zone. This video reports on the size of the Gulf hypoxic zone in 2014.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Ocean chemistry

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, where oxygen in the water is so low it can no longer sustain marine life in bottom or near bottom waters – literally a dead zone. This video reports on the size of the Gulf hypoxic zone in 2015.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, where oxygen in the water is so low it can no longer sustain marine life in bottom or near bottom waters – literally a dead zone. This video reports on the size of the Gulf hypoxic zone in 2020.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, where oxygen in the water is so low it can no longer sustain marine life in bottom or near bottom waters – literally a dead zone. This video reports on the size of the Gulf hypoxic zone in 2021.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, where oxygen in the water is so low it can no longer sustain marine life in bottom or near bottom waters – literally a dead zone. This video reports on the size of the Gulf hypoxic zone in 2011.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Sea turtles

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

The U.S. Government has charged NOAA with enforcing the laws and treaties related to the conservation and protection of marine resources. See how marine criminals have been brought to justice.