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

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Game/online activity
Story map
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Oil spills

Learn about the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which significantly improved measures to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills in U.S. waters.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Story map
Images
Video
Background information
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Cultural heritage

On March 25, 1921, USS Conestoga left Mare Island Naval Yard, California for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and was expected to arrive safely at port on April 5. The vessel vanished with 56 sailors on board, and was officially declared lost with all crew on June 30, 1921. In September 2014, during an expedition with NOAA's Maritime Heritage Program in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, an unknown wreck was discovered, and in 2015 it was confirmed to be the final resting place of USS Conestoga. Considered an important relic representing America's past as a seafaring nation, the wreck is federally protected under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act and the Sunken Military Craft Act.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Technology and engineering
Ocean exploration
ROVs, AUVs, and drones

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Marine explorer Dr. Robert Ballard first located the Titanic wreckage in 1985. Nearly 20 years later, he returned with a team of researchers to map the wreckage and conduct scientific analysis of its deterioration. Remotely operated vehicles were used to conduct a "look, don't touch" mission, which is extremely important in respecting and protecting this memorial.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Sea turtles
Invasive species

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Off Florida's coast, an invasive species threatened Loggerhead turtles. Fortunately, people took action to restore the ecosystem and help the turtles.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Climate
Marine mammals
Climate change impacts

Special categories

Region
Alaska region
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Marine life

Researchers from NOAA's National Marine Mammal Lab track migrating northern fur seals to understand where they feed in winter months and what marine resources they depend on for survival.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Freshwater
Ocean and coasts
Weather and atmosphere

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about Earth's water cycle, how water continuously moves from the ground to the atmosphere and back again.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Career profile
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations
Tornadoes

B-roll from inside the Forecast Office in Norman, Oklahoma.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Simulation
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Tornadoes

Special categories

Education at home
Models
Instructional strategies

Adjust the tornado's diameter and core pressure difference in this simulation, then click the "go" button and observe the different types of wind damage tornadoes can produce.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Ocean and coasts
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle
Ocean acidification

Special categories

Scientists in action

How and why does NOAA measure carbon in the ocean? This video demonstrates how scientists at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory collect data on carbon and why those measurements are important. The video discusses links to climate change, ocean acidification, and their predicted effects.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Weather observations

A multi-agency project, Coastal and Inland Flood Observation and Warning Project (CI-FLOW), helps to improve the forecasts on total water level, which will tell communities how flooding will impact them. This video explains how these predictions are made and how communities can be prepared.