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

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ocean exploration
Ocean floor features

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design
PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer
ESS2: Earth’s Systems

Collection name

Ocean Exploration facts

Despite its importance, the majority of our ocean is largely unknown. However, through exploration, we're learning more about its biological, chemical, physical, geological, and archaeological aspects. Exploration leads to discovery, but before we can truly explore, we must map. Learn more about how we explore the ocean and how we estimate what is left to explore!

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Oil spills
Mapping and charting

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Fix the ocean

Learn what changes have been made in the decades since the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and what NOAA is doing to prepare for future disasters.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Harmful algal blooms
Fires
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations

Learn from recipients of the Black Engineer of the Year awards about their paths to a career at NOAA and their advice for future STEM leaders.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Mapping and charting

Collection name

National Geodetic Survey geodesy and mapping videos
National Geodetic Survey

The National Geodetic Survey, in partnership with The COMET Program, has developed short videos about topics related to geodesy, or the science of mapping and measuring the Earth's shape and location, and mapping.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Related story
Career profile

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ships and planes
Ocean exploration
Ecosystems
Fisheries and seafood
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sea Grant podcasts
Making Waves podcast

Short profiles on Maria Mitchell, Marie Tharp, Dr. Nancy Foster, Rear Admiral Evelyn J. Fields (ret.), and Pamela Chelgren-Koterba.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Satellites
GPS and geodesy
Mapping and charting
Ships and planes
Ocean exploration
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

Today’s technologies allow us to explore the ocean in increasingly systematic, scientific, and noninvasive ways. With continuing scientific and technological advances, our ability to observe the ocean environment and its resident creatures is beginning to catch up with our imaginations, expanding our understanding and appreciation of this still largely unexplored realm. This webpage highlights some of the technologies that make exploration possible today and the scientific achievements that result from this exploration.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
Mapping and charting
Ocean sounds
Ships and planes
Ocean exploration
Harmful algal blooms
Tides
Ocean floor features
Ocean currents

Collection name

Ocean facts

Read through dozens of answered questions about ocean technology.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
GPS and geodesy
Mapping and charting
Ocean floor features

Collection name

Ocean facts

Explore information on ocean geodesy and geology.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ecosystems
Ocean floor features

OceanReports is the most comprehensive web-based spatial assessment tool for the ocean in the U.S., designed to improve decision-making and increase transparency for ocean and coastal users, and resource managers. The tool contains approximately 100 distinct data layers capable of analyzing energy and minerals, natural resources (including species and habitats), transportation and infrastructure, oceanographic and biophysical conditions, and the local ocean economy for any area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Technology and engineering
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean floor features
Mapping and charting

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Fix the ocean

Over the past few decades the marine environment of Buck Island Reef has been significantly threatened by a warming ocean, along with disease, hurricanes, and overfishing, among other stressors. NOAA and the National Park Service are creating a geo-referenced coral reef base map to better understand coral reef dynamics and processes.