NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database

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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

College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Freshwater
Ocean and coasts
Great Lakes ecoregion
Ocean pollution and marine debris

The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) Great Lakes Region spans eight states from Minnesota to New York, covers the north coast, and forms a water boundary between the United States and our Canadian friends to the North. With 10,200 miles of coastline (roughly half in the U.S. and half in Canada), the region has the second largest coastline in the United States, behind Alaska.

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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Ocean pollution and marine debris

NGSS DCI

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

During an expedition in the Gulf of Mexico, we set out to explore a side scan sonar target thought to represent an archaeological site and related debris; however, the target instead ended up being a 40-foot shipping container and its contents. While not the shipwreck we were expecting, the dive provided valuable information. Identification markings found on the container may help to track it, which could provide a maximum date as to when observed animals colonized these structures, allowing us to estimate growth rates of sessile organisms. The dive also served as a reminder that, even in the deep ocean, humans can have an impact.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Climate data monitoring
Weather observations

Search numerical and graphical weather data from regional climate centers. Data is available for each Weather Forecast Office (WFO); find your local WFO at https://www.nws.noaa.gov/organization.php.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis

Driven by severe weather, these waves exacerbate flooding, erosion and can cause injury.

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.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan

Topic

Marine life
Life in an estuary

NGSS DCI

LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Hands-on
Uses data

Zooplankton have evolved specific migration patterns that increase their chances of survival. These migrations patterns are behavioral adaptations and they are unique to each species of zooplankton. Students will determine how zooplankton from the St. Jones River migrate and how these adaptations increase their chances of survival. There are 3 lessons adapted for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms.