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 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

Arts
Earth science
ELA (English Language Arts)
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Freshwater
Rivers
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Marine life
Ecosystems
Fish
Fisheries and seafood
Life in an estuary

Special categories

Grantee resource
Instructional strategies
Education at home
Hands-on
Informal
Models
Outdoor education
Uses data
Other languages
Spanish
Printable

Collection name

B-WET grantee
Salmon Heroes

On this page you will find information and links for everything you need for your Virtual Salmon Heroes Experience. The Virtual Salmon Heroes program is divided into three parts, which include 1) Introductory lesson videos, 2) field lesson videos, and 3) synthesis lesson videos. A Salmon Heroes Field Journal accompanies the videos.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Ecosystems

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Fix the ocean

Wetlands are among the richest and most diverse places on earth, home to thousands of fish, mammals, and birds. They also help protect people from floods and storms. In some areas, wetlands are disappearing, but scientists are finding that protection and restoration are making a difference.

Audience

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

Subject

Math
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Freshwater
Life in an estuary

Special categories

Printable
Education at home
Instructional strategies

Estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are bodies of water usually found where rivers meet the sea. Use this estuaries tutorial to learn more.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Multimedia
Webinar

Topic

Marine life
Aquatic food webs
Ecosystems
Fish
Marine mammals
Salmon

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Education at home

Collection name

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: Archived webinars

Over 18 months, the Seattle Times took a deep look at the southern resident orca extinction crisis to explore and expose the roots of why these animals, the top predator in our marine waters, are struggling to survive. Lynda Mapes, the lead journalist on the newspaper's award-winning series Hostile Waters will explain what the newspaper learned and solutions that will benefit people and orca alike. Lynda Mapes is the environment reporter at the Seattle Times. She has won numerous international and national awards for her work covering environmental topics, and is the author of five books, including Orca forthcoming from the Mountaineers Books in Spring, 2021.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean floor features
Ecosystems

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Celebrate World Ocean Day with some amazing facts about the ocean!

Audience

Grade 6-8

Subject

Arts
Earth science
ELA (English Language Arts)
Life science
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan

Topic

Marine life
Ecosystems

NGSS DCI

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

Collection name

Sanctuaries 360 virtual dives

This five-part mini research project introduces students to the National Marine Sanctuary System (NMSS). The activity begins with a teacher-led walkthrough of the digital resources of the NMSS so students can learn how national marine sanctuary sites are designated and why they are important to protect and preserve the ocean and Great Lakes. Students will then conduct independent or small group research on specific national marine sanctuaries using 360° videos, photos, and print resources. Students will use the information they collected to compare and contrast the four different sites and create a slideshow that will be presented to peers upon completion.