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

College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Podcast
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification

Collection name

Sea Grant podcasts
Making Waves podcast

In this podcast, learn what ocean acidification is, how it's affecting marine life, and how NOAA tools are helping people monitor and adapt to changes in ocean chemistry.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Ocean and coasts
Invertebrates
Fisheries and seafood
Climate change impacts
Ocean acidification

The world's ocean is absorbing carbon dioxide at an unprecedented rate and the resulting acidification is transforming marine ecosystems. Learn how ocean acidification is already affecting oysters and other shellfish in the U.S.

Audience

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

Subject

ELA (English Language Arts)
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Webinar
Images
Infographic
Video
Background information
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification

Special categories

Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Ocean Acidification Communication Toolkit: Dungeness crab case study

Dungeness crab is a valuable species throughout the national marine sanctuaries of the West Coast from Washington state to throughout California. This communication toolkit is designed for educators and communicators to use to teach others about the impact of ocean acidification on Dungeness crab. The toolkit includes: fact sheet; infographic; PowerPoint slideshow with script; reference list; resource list; public domain video B-roll; and public domain images.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Join Bruckner Chase in the Ocean Today Wave Safe series as we travel the country’s coasts to teach you how to protect yourself and others.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Adaptations
Ocean exploration
Ships and planes
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ecosystems

Collection name

Ocean Today

Ocean Today host Symone Johnson introduces the Deep Ocean Exploration video collection, which covers mysterious ocean creatures and bioluminescence.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Career profile
Images
Video
Background information
Collection
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units
Multimedia

Topic

NOAA careers
Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Earth processes
Fish
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ecosystems
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Informal
Education at home
Models
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Ocean Exploration educational materials

These education theme pages are designed to provide the best of what the OceanExplorer.NOAA.gov website has to offer on a number of popular ocean science topics. Each theme page provides links to background information, lessons, multimedia interactive activities, career profiles, and information on associated past expeditions.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides

Collection name

Ocean Today

In this video, find out all about what causes ocean currents.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tides

Collection name

Ocean Today

Learn why the ocean has waves.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ecosystems
Ocean floor features

OceanReports is the most comprehensive web-based spatial assessment tool for the ocean in the U.S., designed to improve decision-making and increase transparency for ocean and coastal users, and resource managers. The tool contains approximately 100 distinct data layers capable of analyzing energy and minerals, natural resources (including species and habitats), transportation and infrastructure, oceanographic and biophysical conditions, and the local ocean economy for any area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile
Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Learn from ocean safety expert Bruckner Chase on how to stay safe in the water.