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

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Ecosystems
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries LIVE Interactions

​Live events, tailored for students and run through Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, will connect viewers with national marine sanctuary experts in research, education, and exploration in real time. Through the following programs, you will be able to learn about national marine sanctuaries and ask questions to leading experts in their field.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Images
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Fish
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries media gallery

Photos, videos, and virtual dives from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

Audience

Grade K-2
Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology
Life science
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan
Arts and crafts
Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Infographic
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Printable
Virtual reality/VR

Collection name

Sanctuaries resource collection: Coral reef ecosystems

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on our planet that protect and foster biodiversity. The diversity of locations and reef types makes this system unique and allows for valuable comparisons of reefs from differing biogeographic regions and of differing levels of use. Explore this collection of NOAA webinars, lesson plans, posters, videos, infographics, virtual reality, and more learn about coral reef ecosystems and NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ efforts within the sanctuary system to preserve them and limit the impacts they face.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Coloring/activity book
Module/unit
Webinar
Video
Background information
Poster/brochure
Collection
Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan

Topic

Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ocean floor features

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries staff study, interpret, and protect shipwrecks as places to explore, discover, and appreciate our country’s maritime legacy. Shipwrecks are a key aspect in understanding the maritime heritage of the United States and can help us learn more about our past. These shipwrecks not only help Americans learn more about our country’s past, but provide education, tourism, and recreational opportunities as well.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan
Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals

Special categories

Printable
Virtual reality/VR

Collection name

Sanctuaries resource collection: Whales

Whales are one of the oldest and largest animals on the planet. Various whale species can be found around the world from Alaska to Hawai`i to the Gulf of California. Explore a collection of NOAA videos, lesson plans, posters, webinars, web stories, virtual reality, and more to gain a deeper understanding of whale species and NOAA's efforts within the sanctuary system to protect them and limit the threats they face.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean exploration
Great Lakes ecoregion

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Maritime archaeologist Jim Delgado explains the importance of marine sanctuaries and how they protect not only nature but history as well.

Audience

Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Climate
Carbon cycle
Climate change
Climate data monitoring
Ocean and coasts

An interview with scientist Sarah Purkey about her deep ocean warming research.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

ELA (English Language Arts)
Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Module/unit
Background information
Collection
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Special categories

Informal
Safety/preparedness
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Satellite meteorology learning modules

Meteorology is an excellent topic to introduce middle and high school students to geoscience, physics, chemistry and applied mathematics. Satellite Meteorology learning modules provide scientists and educators with exciting activities and hands-on tools for investigation, inquiry, analysis and stewardship.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Simulation
Module/unit
Activities, lessons, and units
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
Satellites
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Informal
Models
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Satellite meteorology learning modules

The idea of using successive satellite observations of clouds to determine wind direction and speed was pioneered by Professor Suomi of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This module provides an explanation of how this is accomplished. In this module, you will learn how satellite images are used to track clouds and derive winds and some of the problems and challenges associated with tracking winds from satellites.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals
Ocean and coasts
Space
Space weather
Technology and engineering
Satellites
Weather and atmosphere
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

NOAA's environmental satellites provide data from space to monitor the earth to analyze coastal waters, relay life-saving emergency beacons, and predict and track tropical storms and hurricanes.