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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.”
- Climate (4)
- Freshwater (11)
- Marine life
(32)
- Aquatic food webs (6)
- Coral reef ecosystems (9)
- Conservation (2)
- Ecosystems (11)
- Fish (12)
- Fisheries and seafood (15)
- Invasive marine species (3)
- Invertebrates (11)
- Life in an estuary (2)
- Marine mammals (13)
- Plankton (2)
- Salmon (4)
- Sea turtles (9)
- Seabirds (5)
- Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants (4)
- Sharks, rays, and skates (7)
- Ocean and coasts
(36)
- Earth processes (2)
- Harmful algal blooms (3)
- Maritime archaeology and history (22)
- Ocean acidification (4)
- Ocean chemistry (1)
- Ocean currents (5)
- Ocean exploration (20)
- Ocean floor features (8)
- Ocean pollution and marine debris (7)
- Ocean sounds (2)
- Oil spills (5)
- Rip currents (1)
- Sea level rise (2)
- Tides (3)
- Tsunamis (3)
- Space (1)
- Technology and engineering (20)
- Weather and atmosphere (7)
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Photos, videos, and virtual dives from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
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Maritime archaeologist Jim Delgado explains the importance of marine sanctuaries and how they protect not only nature but history as well.
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A collection of lessons on Earth, life, and physical science designed to teach students how scientific principles explain phenomena, not to solely explain the single phenomena. Each activity begins with an investigation of a natural phenomena with the goal of uncovering the scientific concepts that explain that event. We invite you to explore or add your own phenomena that is meaningful to you and your students.
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Ocean Today host Symone Johnson introduces the Shipwrecked video collection, which explores various shipwrecks in our ocean.
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Aquaculture, the fastest growing form of agriculture in the world, has the potential to create jobs, support resilient working waterfronts and coastal communities, and sustainably produce healthy food.
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Hundreds of years ago, Pacific Islanders used voyaging canoes to travel. They developed navigation techniques to steer across the ocean without instruments or charts. Modern science is just now beginning to understand and appreciate the traditional Marshallese navigation techniques.
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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.
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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.
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The USS Monitor was a civil war ironclad warship that sank in 1862. As an important piece of US history, the Monitor’s protection and management were entrusted to NOAA, as it was designated the first national marine sanctuary in 1975.
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Despite surviving a firefight during the Civil War, the USS Monitor sunk on December 31, 1862. In 1973, remains of the USS Monitor were found on the seafloor 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Soon after, the wreck site was designated as the country’s first national marine sanctuary.