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

Grade 6-8

Subject

Arts
Earth science
ELA (English Language Arts)
Engineering and technology
Life science
Math
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan
Module/unit
Collection

Topic

Marine life
Coral reef ecosystems
Ecosystems
Marine mammals

NGSS DCI

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
PS3: Energy

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Education at home
Hands-on
Informal
Models
Project-based
Virtual reality/VR

Collection name

Sanctuaries 360 virtual dives

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has launched Sanctuaries 360°—a collection of immersive underwater experiences to bring these exceptional underwater treasures to viewers all over the world. These underwater parks are destinations for many who want to visit the ocean and experience immense beauty, biodiversity and have the chance to encounter marine life. For many, reaching and experiencing these special ocean areas—like a diver—can be a challenge. This collection includes seven lessons and accompanying 360° videos which can be implemented in classrooms.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Ecosystems
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries LIVE Interactions

​Live events, tailored for students and run through Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, will connect viewers with national marine sanctuary experts in research, education, and exploration in real time. Through the following programs, you will be able to learn about national marine sanctuaries and ask questions to leading experts in their field.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Images
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Fish
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries media gallery

Photos, videos, and virtual dives from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology
Life science
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan
Arts and crafts
Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Infographic
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Printable
Virtual reality/VR

Collection name

Sanctuaries resource collection: Coral reef ecosystems

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on our planet that protect and foster biodiversity. The diversity of locations and reef types makes this system unique and allows for valuable comparisons of reefs from differing biogeographic regions and of differing levels of use. Explore this collection of NOAA webinars, lesson plans, posters, videos, infographics, virtual reality, and more learn about coral reef ecosystems and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ efforts within the sanctuary system to preserve them and limit the impacts they face.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean acidification
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Climate change impacts
Endangered species
Adaptations

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today

Corals have been devastated by the past few years of intense ocean heat, but coral scientists are getting closer to understanding what makes a coral “super" - able to withstand high temperatures - and it may have to do with what’s inside a coral’s cells.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Podcast
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Salmon
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Tides
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Sea Grant podcasts

Many Sea Grant programs host or support podcasts that highlight ocean, coastal and Great Lakes topics. Some of the podcasts offer a quick overview of relevant science and others feature conversations with coastal residents, researchers or other experts. Find the perfect podcast, whether for a lesson plan or entertainment on your morning commute!

Audience

Grade 3-5

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Module/unit
Collection
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Marine life
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds
Fish
Ecosystems
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Weather systems and patterns
Ocean currents

Special categories

Region
Pacific Islands region
Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sea-Earth-Atmosphere (SEA) resources

A collection of lessons on Earth, life, and physical science designed to teach students how scientific principles explain phenomena, not to solely explain the single phenomena. Each activity begins with an investigation of a natural phenomena with the goal of uncovering the scientific concepts that explain that event. We invite you to explore or add your own phenomena that is meaningful to you and your students.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Podcast
Video
Collection
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Entanglement
Fish
Ecosystems
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Ocean currents

Collection name

ELP grantee
Signals of Spring ACES (Animals in Curriculum-based Ecosystem Studies)

A collection of lessons, videos, podcasts, and audio clips on sustainability, seafood, sea turtles, marine mammals, ecosystems and more, which use NOAA remote sensing data. Students use Earth imagery to explain the movement of animals that are tracked by satellite with NOAA's ARGOS monitoring system.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Coral reef ecosystems
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Plankton
Invertebrates
Climate change impacts
Endangered species

Collection name

Ocean Today

In one way of thinking, corals are part animal, vegetable, and mineral. How is that possible?

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Ocean exploration
Fish
Ecosystems
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

95% of the ocean remains unexplored, most of which is considered the deep ocean. But what exactly is the deep ocean?