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

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Sea level rise
Endangered species

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

As Arctic ice continues to melt, it will cause ripple effects across the planet. Here are some of the impacts.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Hurricanes

The scale was created by wind engineer Herb Saffir and meteorologist Bob Simpson to help explain damage that buildings will sustain under different wind speeds. Importantly, the Saffir-Simpson scale does not include hazards from rain, flooding, or storm surge.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Background information
Multimedia
Infographic
Poster/brochure

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

This downloadable poster has information on how and why tsunamis form, how they are studied, and how to find data on them.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Space
Auroras
Space weather

Way back before we had the Internet and telephones and electrical wiring – more than 150 years ago – scientists learned how solar flares can play havoc with manmade technologies. They also connected solar flares to the fantastic displays of auroral light, usually seen only at far northern and southern latitudes. And this discovery was completely by accident.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Game/online activity
Story map
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Oil spills

Learn about the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which significantly improved measures to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills in U.S. waters.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Hurricanes

The National Hurricane Center has a long history of issuing tropical cyclone advisories, with the first known recorded forecast being in 1954, when 24-hour predictions of a storm’s track were made. Since then, forecasts have been expanded out in time and added predictions of intensity, size, and associated hazards, such as wind, storm surge, and rainfall.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Story map
Images
Video
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Cultural heritage

On March 25, 1921, USS Conestoga left Mare Island Naval Yard, California for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and was expected to arrive safely at port on April 5. The vessel vanished with 56 sailors on board, and was officially declared lost with all crew on June 30, 1921. In September 2014, during an expedition with NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, an unknown wreck was discovered, and in 2015 it was confirmed to be the final resting place of USS Conestoga. Considered an important relic representing America's past as a seafaring nation, the wreck is federally protected under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Sunken Military Craft Act.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Technology and engineering
Ocean exploration
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Marine explorer Dr. Robert Ballard first located the Titanic wreckage in 1985. Nearly 20 years later, he returned with a team of researchers to map the wreckage and conduct scientific analysis of its deterioration. Remotely operated vehicles were used to conduct a "look, don't touch" mission, which is extremely important in respecting and protecting this memorial.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Sea turtles
Invasive species

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Off Florida's coast, an invasive species threatened Loggerhead turtles. Fortunately, people took action to restore the ecosystem and help the turtles.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Marine mammals
Climate change impacts

Special categories

Region
Alaska region
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Researchers from NOAA's National Marine Mammal Lab track migrating northern fur seals to understand where they feed in winter months and what marine resources they depend on for survival.