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 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña

A primer on El Niño, La Niña, and the El Niño /Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tsunamis

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

This primer on tsunamis includes information on generation, propagation, inundation, safety and preparedness, forecasting, and history.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Collection name

JetStream: An online school for weather

Upper air charts are maps with wavy lines and numbers on them. These charts may look confusing if you're not a meteorologist, but they are critical in forecasting weather! Learn more about our upper atmosphere, how these charts are created, and how meteorologists use them to forecast the weather.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns

Collection name

JetStream: An online school for weather

If you've ever been to the ocean, you might have noticed winds coming onshore from the sea. Learn more about this phenomenon and its counterpart, the land breeze.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Collection name

JetStream: An online school for weather

This introduction to synoptic meteorology will help readers to better understand weather maps, data, and forecasting.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Freshwater
Water cycle

The hydrologic cycle involves the continuous circulation of water in the Earth-Atmosphere system. At its core, the water cycle is the motion of the water from the ground to the atmosphere and back again.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tides

Learn more about tide basics.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Freshwater
Rivers
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

The duties of the River Forecast Centers are to 1) Provide river and flood forecasts and warnings for the protection of lives and property, and 2) Provide basic hydrologic forecast information for the nation's environmental and economic well-being. Learn more details about how River Forecast Centers make these predictions.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Job seeker resource

Topic

NOAA careers
Marine life
Fisheries and seafood

Learn about NOAA Fisheries on the West Coast and how to find federal and contract positions.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Job seeker resource

Topic

NOAA careers
Technology and engineering
Ships and planes

The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) is one of the nation’s seven uniformed services. Learn about eligibility requirements, pay and benefits, how to apply, pre-commissioning requirements, and information about basic NOAA Corps officer training.