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

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Entanglement
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: Archived webinars

Entanglement or by-catch is a global issue that affects many marine animals, including large whales. Trained responders under NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program can sometimes attempt the dangerous task of freeing whales from life-threatening entanglements, though the ultimate goal is to gain information to reduce the threat for both whales and humans. The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary working closely with its partners and the community, coordinates response efforts for Hawaii, an important breeding and calving ground for humpback whales. Learn more about whale entanglements and response efforts in this webinar.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: Archived webinars

California's nutrient-rich coastal waters are home to several species of large whales, including several endangered species. The state is also home to major shipping ports that bring thousands of large container and tanker ships through California national marine sanctuary waters. Ship and whale collisions have led to whale fatalities, and recent research suggests that many more of these ship strikes are going undetected each year. To address this global issue, national marine sanctuaries along the West Coast have been working with a number of partners to better understand the issue of ship strikes and slow vessels down to reduce harmful air emissions and protected endangered whales.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ecosystems
Marine mammals
Aquatic food webs
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Education at home
Instructional strategies

Collection name

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: Archived webinars

Long-term small-boat based studies in the main Hawaiian Islands have revealed amazing information on 11 resident species of whales and dolphins, as well as migratory and open-ocean species that visit the islands. Studies in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have been more limited due to logistics of vessel surveys. Comparisons of sightings and tagging data from the two areas suggest that there are resident populations of many species of dolphins and whales in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument that have yet to be recognized. Join research biologist Robin Baird of Cascadia Research Collective who will compare what is, and isn't, known about whales and dolphins throughout the Hawaiian archipelago.