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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Podcast
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean currents

In this episode we're focusing on something that you've likely at least heard a little bit about in the last few years — garbage patches. Before we dive in to that specific subject, let’s take a step back to discuss the areas of the ocean where trash seems to collect. We're talking about gyres.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Watch maps near real-time bottom dissolved oxygen data to monitor hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product

Topic

Marine life
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Fish
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Weather observations
Hurricanes
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean floor features
Sharks, rays, and skates

Explore data on physical, biotic, living marine resources, socioeconomic conditions, environmental quality, and jurisdictions in the Gulf of Mexico.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product
Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Information on restoration projects in the Gulf states.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Arts
Earth science
Humanities/liberal arts

Resource type

Multimedia
Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Region
Alaska region
Scientists in action

In this full-length web exclusive, National Geographic journeys along the remote Alaskan coast ... in search of garbage. A team of scientists and artists investigates the buildup of marine debris washing out of the great gyres, or currents, in the Pacific Ocean. Called the Gyre Expedition, their goal is to create art from the trash they find to raise awareness about its impact on the ocean and wildlife. Their artwork became part of a traveling exhibition in 2014.

Audience

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

Subject

Arts
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Invasive species
Great Lakes ecoregion
Weather systems and patterns
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

H.O.M.E.S. at Home webinars

Join Michigan Sea Grant for a series of fun-filled, family-friendly videos jam-packed full of Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior or “H.O.M.E.S.”) fun facts, activity suggestions for your family, and daily challenges. Each video provides a high-energy experience that engages people of all ages in learning about the Great Lakes and activities you can do right at home! Anyone who completes five challenges will be emailed a Great Lakes Jr. Scientist certificate to print and proudly display at home.

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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product
Collection

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Harmful algal blooms
Ocean pollution and marine debris

HABSOS contains harmful algal bloom (HAB) information in the Gulf of Mexico. It provides scientists and the public with a data-driven resource for HAB events. Cell counts and environmental information are distributed via data files and an interactive ArcGIS map. HABSOS strives to provide an accurate picture of harmful algal bloom location and quantity by using the latest sample data.