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
Grade 3-5

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Fish
Ecosystems
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Water cycle
Great Lakes ecoregion
Life in an estuary

The National Estuarine Research Reserve System is a network of 29 coastal sites designated to protect and study estuarine systems. Established through the Coastal Zone Management Act, the reserves represent a partnership program between NOAA and the coastal states. NOAA provides funding and national guidance, and each site is managed on a daily basis by a lead state agency or university with input from local partners.

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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

ELA (English Language Arts)
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Module/unit
Background information
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Technology and engineering
GPS and geodesy

Special categories

Models
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

National Geodetic Survey

The National Geodetic Survey, in partnership with The COMET Program, has developed a series of self-paced lessons on geodetic and remote sensing topics. Create a free user account to gain access to the courses below and many others that may be of interest. You will have the option of printing out a certificate upon successful completion of the quiz at the end of each lesson.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product
Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Hurricanes

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) portal includes forecasts of upcoming Atlantic and Pacific hurricanes, tropical storms, and other tropical weather, as well as satellite, aerial, and analysis data on past storms, archived reports, and outreach materials.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product

Topic

Freshwater
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Drought
Water cycle
Climate data monitoring
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations

View the U.S Drought Monitor's weekly interactive map and summary and the Climate Prediction Center's monthly drought outlook. Zoom in to see the regional, state, and county level and obtain historical comparisons. Explore numerical and graphical data.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Data product
Collection

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Ocean and coasts
Resiliency and mitigation
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Cryosphere
Sea level rise
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Plankton

Special categories

Region
Alaska region
Pacific Islands region

Collection name

National Marine Ecosystem Status

The National Marine Ecosystem Status website is a tool that provides easy access to NOAA’s wide range of important coastal and marine ecosystem data. The website pulls together the ecosystem work that NOAA conducts in the marine environment, and presents this information in a flexible user-friendly format. Visitors to the site can explore specific thematic areas at the national or regional level. Users can also access general information or take deeper dives, connecting to specific NOAA websites throughout the organization. The website provides a starting point for educators, outreach specialists, and the interested public to explore the status of seven major U.S. marine ecosystems and the nation.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Invasive marine species
Maritime archaeology and history
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Salmon
Sharks, rays, and skates
Seabirds
Fish
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ecosystems
Sea level rise
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean acidification

Special categories

Cultural heritage

The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series provides educators with educational and scientific expertise, resources and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. This series targets formal and informal educators that are engaging students (elementary through college) in formal classroom settings, as well as members of the community in informal educational venues (e.g., after school programs, science centers, aquariums, etc.).

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Poster/brochure

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Invertebrates
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals

Special categories

Printable
Cultural heritage

As a part of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 National Marine Sanctuary Act, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries released posters capturing the beauty and diversity of your National Marine Sanctuary System.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Job seeker resource

Topic

NOAA careers
Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts

Find full and part time jobs, internships, and requests for proposals from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

NOAA careers
Marine life
Ocean and coasts

Explore profiles of current and past National Ocean Service employees, showcasing a variety of specialties.