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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Advanced data product
Data product
Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Marine mammals and many fish rely on sound for navigating, socializing, establishing dominance, attracting mates, avoiding predators, and finding food. Human-caused ocean noise interferes with their ability to complete these tasks. Explore more information and data about ocean noise pollution.

Audience

Grade K-2

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Coloring/activity book
Podcast
Video
Background information
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates

Collection name

Octonauts Corner

NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Octonauts (http://www.theoctonauts.com/) have teamed up to bring you great deep-ocean information, to help you learn about and protect our ocean.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Story map
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Oil spills

NOAA's guidelines assessing exposure and impacts of oil spills on marine mammals

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story
Video
Background information
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña

Collection name

Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory El Niño theme page

News, research, background information, FAQs, videos, and more on El Niño from the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

One of the main types of marine debris that you hear about today is plastic marine debris. In many places, it is the main type of debris that you will see as you walk along a beach, though perhaps not underwater. As common as they are on our beaches and in our homes, how much do you really know about plastics?

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Drought
Climate change impacts

From the National Integrated Drought Information System, these quarterly two-page reports on U.S and Canada regional climate impacts show an overview of recent and forecast conditions.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are tethered to and operated from a ship, allowing humans to explore the ocean without actually being in the vehicle.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Related story
Video
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Oil spills

Learn more about NOAA's efforts to restore the Gulf ecosystem since the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

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.