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
Life science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Marine life
Fisheries and seafood
Invertebrates
Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification
Technology and engineering

For Bill Mook, coastal acidification is one thing his oyster hatchery cannot afford to ignore. Mook Sea Farm depends on seawater from the Gulf of Maine pumped into a Quonset hut-style building where tiny oysters are grown in tanks. Mook sells these tiny oysters to other oyster farmers or transfers them to his oyster farm on the Damariscotta River where they grow large enough to sell to restaurants and markets on the East Coast.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Invertebrates
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

In the deep ocean, there’s a species of crab that eats trees! Scientists have identified this crustacean as Munidopsis andamanica.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Marine mammals

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

In Shark Bay Australia, scientists have found Dolphins using tools to find food.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Fool's gold, or iron pyrite, acts as a fertilizer for life in the deep sea.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Invertebrates
Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Scientists have discovered that a jellyfish named Turritopsis nutricula is biologically immortal. But how is this possible?

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Climate
Ocean currents

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Did you know there’s massive southern ocean current almost two miles below the ocean’s surface? And it has a direct influence on temperatures around the world.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Invertebrates

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Scientists have recently discovered that the California Mantis shrimp can talk!

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring
Cryosphere

NOAA Corps Lieutenant (junior grade) Nick Morgan, who works for the NOAA Earth System Research Lab, spent a year in Antarctica collecting data to help scientists better understand global climate trends.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations

Special categories

Navajo/Diné
Cultural heritage
Other languages

Science isn't all about numbers. In 2017 the National Weather Service learned of the importance of the Navajo Tsiiyéeł and the relationship with weather. In this short, Navajo filmmaker Cherylee Francis and actors partner with the National Weather Service to explain this important connection. WINNER of First Place and Audience Choice at the 2019 Navajo Film Festival!

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Invertebrates
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Life in an estuary

Collection name

Ocean Today

Imagine eating your way to a healthier Bay! Nationwide shell recycling programs and oyster lovers are helping to restore wild oyster reefs.