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

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Freshwater
Technology and engineering
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Go fish

Dams can provide clean electrical power, but they can also block passageways for migrating fish. NOAA has helped remove over 50 dams in 12 years, enabling migratory fish to finally reach their historic habitat.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Multimedia
Video

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Ecosystems
Marine mammals

In 2002, an orphaned killer whale was discovered in Puget Sound. Follow Springer's amazing rescue in this film and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of her successful reunion and recovery.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Fisheries and seafood
Climate change impacts

Climate change will affect every aspect of NOAA Fisheries' mission — there is much at risk. Learn how we are working to understand the impacts and respond to these changes.

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

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+

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product
Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis

Collection name

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center animations and short videos

This collection of videos and animations includes background information on tsunamis and earthquakes, as well as information about specific events.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Multimedia
Infographic

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Region
Pacific Islands region

A map of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the different names that have been used for the islands.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story
Images
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

The tornado outbreaks of 2011 were unprecedented. Destruction to life and property occurred in more than a dozen states from the Central Plains and Missouri, throughout the Southeast and as far north as Massachusetts. In total, 1,691 tornadoes claimed 553 lives, making it the deadliest tornado year since 1936.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Aquatic food webs
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Seabirds

Although plastics are vital in a slew of consumer applications, plastic pollution in the ocean has turned out to be a not-so-fantastic outcome of modern day plastic dependence. This presentation provides an overview of the ocean plastic pollution problem, explaining the difference between marine debris and microplastics. It also will outline the current state of knowledge about microplastic impacts in the ocean and marine food webs, and provide insight into an ongoing research project using seabirds as indicators of plastic pollution in the Northwest Atlantic.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Harmful algal blooms
Satellites
Buoys

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Algae are important in the marine ecosystem, but sometimes than can cause harm. Learn how NOAA predicts harmful algal blooms (HABs).