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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Coral reef ecosystems
Ocean acidification
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Climate change impacts
Endangered species
Adaptations

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today

Corals have been devastated by the past few years of intense ocean heat, but coral scientists are getting closer to understanding what makes a coral “super" - able to withstand high temperatures - and it may have to do with what’s inside a coral’s cells.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Webinar
Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
Climate data monitoring
Changing seasons

Collection name

Science On a Sphere catalog

A pocket-sized version of NOAA’s Science On a Sphere®, the SOS Explorer™ (SOSx) mobile app animates the world right on your smartphone. The NOAA Global Systems Laboratory education team demonstrates how easy it is to use SOSx to do mini-lessons.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Game/online activity
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Collection name

SciJinks

This collection of weather games and online activities covers snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, precipitation, rainbows, lightning and more.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Podcast
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Salmon
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Tides
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Sea Grant podcasts

Many Sea Grant programs host or support podcasts that highlight ocean, coastal and Great Lakes topics. Some of the podcasts offer a quick overview of relevant science and others feature conversations with coastal residents, researchers or other experts. Find the perfect podcast, whether for a lesson plan or entertainment on your morning commute!

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Climate
Technology and engineering
Cryosphere
Climate change impacts
Satellites

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today

Arctic sea ice is melting at an alarming rate because ocean and air temperatures are getting warmer. Here’s how.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Climate
Technology and engineering
Sea level rise
Climate change impacts
GPS and geodesy
Satellites
Buoys

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Scientists use high-tech instruments to determine how much sea levels are changing, both locally and globally.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Fish
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Fisheries and seafood

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Sea lions have been getting sick - very sick. Each year, the number of sea lions that strand on California beaches has increased dramatically. The Marine Mammal Center rescues and rehabilitates sick sea lions and has traced one of the causes to harmful algal bloom-related illnesses. By studying sea lions, scientists can better understand how toxic algae may affect other mammals, including humans.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents

Collection name

Science On a Sphere catalog

This Science On a Sphere data visualization shows global ocean currents.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Fisheries and seafood
Fish
Invertebrates

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Go fish

U.S. commercial fishing generates billions of dollars and millions of jobs. While the U.S. is a world leader in sustainability, with NOAA Fisheries managing and improving fish habitats and stocks, our marine scientists are at the cutting edge of research that’s keeping our seafood supply safe.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Mobile app
Images
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Plankton
Invasive marine species
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Salmon
Sharks, rays, and skates
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals

Use this mobile app to explore hundreds of photos of California marine life, many with detailed ecological information.