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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Carbon cycle
Climate change

Read about the basics of the carbon cycle and greenhouse effect, including types of greenhouse gases and the role of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in carbon storage and exchange. The text is accompanied by informational graphics.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Oil spills

When asked what oil looks like, most people would probably describe it similar to molasses — black, and somewhat viscous in appearance. But did you know, crude oils can come in a range of colors? From black to red to yellow, oil can appear in a number of different colors and consistencies. This can make it especially hard to find and identify oil from the air.

Audience

College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information
Collection

Topic

Climate
Carbon cycle

Collection name

Carbon educational tools

A brief background about the carbon cycle and links to a few other resources, including the global carbon budget, more carbon cycle information and diagrams, carbon data, and more.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons

Understand the daylight, darkness and changing of the seasons at the North Pole.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Aquatic food webs
Ocean floor features

NGSS DCI

PS3: Energy
ESS2: Earth’s Systems
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

Chemosynthesis is the synthesis of organic compounds by bacteria or other living organisms using energy derived from reactions involving inorganic chemicals, typically in the absence of sunlight. Learn more about the fascinating communities that this unique form of primary productivity fuels in this fact sheet.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Easy-to-use data product
Data product
Background information
Collection

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle

Collection name

Climate.gov

NOAA Climate.gov is a source of timely and authoritative scientific data and information about climate. The main parts of Climate.gov are: News & Features, a popular-style magazine for the science-interested public covering topics in climate science, adaptation, and mitigation; Maps & Data, a gateway to reusable climate maps and datasets that document various climate conditions; and Teaching Climate, which offers learning activities and curriculum materials, multimedia resources, and professional development opportunities for formal and informal educators who want to incorporate climate science into their work.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Hurricanes
Tides

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

From Connecticut Sea Grant, this page explains coastal storm, hurricane, and storm surge risks and resources for coastal Connecticut.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Module/unit
Background information
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis

Special categories

Informal
Instructional strategies

These materials help those with a role in the public tsunami warning system better understand tsunami science and increase their communication skills.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile
Background information

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle

Regional and locally focused ​​​centers ​across the nation are available to help you build resilience to climate-related changes and impacts​ in your community​. Search for local contacts and reach out to them with your questions.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Intermediate data product
Images
Data product
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Hurricanes

Special categories

Citizen science

The Cyclone Center project was launched in September 2012 with the goal of studying global tropical cyclones in order to better understand and predict their behavior. The project ran for seven successful years on the Zooniverse platform, during which 18,000 users contributed 1 million image classifications. Explore the archives of this hurricane citizen science project.