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
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information
Collection

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Resiliency and mitigation
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Rip currents
Sharks, rays, and skates
Seabirds
Fish
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ecosystems
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Life in an estuary
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Hurricanes
El Niño and La Niña
Tsunamis
Tides
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean floor features
Ocean currents
Ocean acidification

Collection name

Ocean facts

Get answers to hundreds of questions about the ocean and coasts on topics like ocean life and ecosystems, maritime transportation, technology, ocean observations and much more.

Audience

Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Module/unit
Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean currents

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design
PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer
PS1: Matter and Its Interactions
ESS2: Earth’s Systems
ESS1: Earth’s Place in the Universe

Special categories

Models
Hands-on
Instructional strategies

This unit is designed for seventh grade, but can be adapted to other middle school grades. The unit is introduced with a true story of rubber bath toys that were lost overboard in the Pacific Ocean and found on beaches around the world. Students investigate physical patterns in the ocean as they progress through a series of investigations to learn about weather and ocean circulation patterns, waves and tides, temperature and salinity in relation to currents, and the effects of ocean floor topography on currents. They then choose a culminating activity to examine the effects of ocean movement in real-life or theoretical situations.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Advanced data product
Data product
Background information

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Marine mammals and many fish rely on sound for navigating, socializing, establishing dominance, attracting mates, avoiding predators, and finding food. Human-caused ocean noise interferes with their ability to complete these tasks. Explore more information and data about ocean noise pollution.

Audience

Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Collection
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Marine mammals
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Models
Hands-on
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Sanctuaries resource collection: Ocean sound and impact of noise

In these three hands-on lessons, students learn how whales communicate, about whale vocalizations, and how noise pollution can impact whales.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

The ocean surface is often calm and peaceful, but the waters below can be full of noise. It is NOT a quiet place.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Rip currents
Hazards and safety
Ecosystems
Marine mammals
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today

The NOAA Ocean Today: Deeper Dive is a monthly webinar airing on or around the full moon. The show is hosted by educator and marine biologist Symone Barkley and features other guests from NOAA and elsewhere. Each month features a different ocean topic, such as marine archaeology, beach safety, and hurricanes. During the live webinar, viewers are engaged with videos from the Ocean Today collection, interactive polls, hands-on activities, and a chance to ask questions of our experts.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Ocean Today

Algae play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. They provide food for all sorts of species. But in rare instances, they can also do harm.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Freshwater
Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Satellites
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Harmful algal blooms
Cryosphere
Sea level rise
Water cycle
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle
El Niño and La Niña
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean floor features
Ocean acidification

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Questions and answers about how we study the ocean and what we've learned. Topics include harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico, climate recaps, climate change, ocean exploration, Arctic sea ice, and more

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Multimedia
Video

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Life in an estuary
Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Fix the ocean

With fishermen, seabirds, and marshland, Lavaca Bay looks like any other peaceful coastal area… but things weren't always this serene. This site was home to the largest cleanup of hazardous waste in Texas history. 64 square miles of marine habitat and fishing waters had been contaminated.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Sea turtles
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean currents

Special categories

Citizen science

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Trash talk

This Regional Emmy award-winning series helps students understand the impact of marine debris and what we can do about it! Series includes a Hands-on Activity Demo and Special Feature.