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 6-8

Subject

Arts
ELA (English Language Arts)
Math
Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

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

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

NGSS DCI

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Special categories

Informal
Outdoor education
Hands-on
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Marine Debris STEAMSS

The collected teacher-tested resources enable educators to create in-depth, project based learning (PBL) units, work with teaching partners across disciplines, and find classroom and field experiences that will help students explore the issue and impacts of marine debris and engage in stewardship actions. Explore the four categories (Composition and Abundance, Sources and Transport, Impacts and Solutions) that follow a scaffolded understanding of marine debris.

Audience

Grade 9-12

Subject

Arts
ELA (English Language Arts)
Math
Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

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

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

NGSS DCI

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Special categories

Informal
Outdoor education
Hands-on
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Marine Debris STEAMSS

The collected teacher-tested resources enable educators to create in-depth, project based learning (PBL) units, work with teaching partners across disciplines, and find classroom and field experiences that will help students explore the issue and impacts of marine debris and engage in stewardship actions. Explore the four categories (Composition and Abundance, Sources and Transport, Impacts and Solutions) that follow a scaffolded understanding of marine debris.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology

Resource type

Citizen science project
Multimedia
Mobile app

Topic

Freshwater
Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Citizen science
Instructional strategies
Education at home
Outdoor education

The Marine Debris Tracker mobile app allows you to help make a difference by checking in when you find trash along our coastlines and waterways. This tool is a great way to get involved in local and global data collection. This app pairs well with the Marine Debris Monitoring Toolkit for Educators. https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/curricula/marine-debris-monitoring-toolkit-educators

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Arts
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

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

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Informal
Printable
Citizen science
Outdoor education
Education at home
Hands-on
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Marine Debris at-home collection

Check out these activities, lessons, and resources that use curiosity and inquiry to answer your questions about marine debris.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Arts
Life science

Resource type

Contest

Topic

Marine life
Ecosystems
Fisheries and seafood

NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region encourages K-12 artists to celebrate marine endangered species. Electronic submissions are due on in the spring. Check the website for exact dates.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Sea turtles

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

The U.S. Government has charged NOAA with enforcing the laws and treaties related to the conservation and protection of marine resources. See how marine criminals have been brought to justice.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Life science
Math
Social studies

Resource type

Data product
Advanced data product

Topic

Marine life
Aquatic food webs
Conservation
Ecosystems
Fisheries and seafood
Marine mammals

Assessing marine mammal stocks gives us valuable information on population trends, productivity rates, estimates of human-caused mortality and other sources of serious injury, and more. These assessments allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and recovery measures, and to adjust management approaches as needed.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Life science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals

Field guides and background information on cetaceans, pinnipeds, and fissipeds.

Audience

Grade 3-5
Grade 6-8

Subject

Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification

NGSS DCI

PS1: Matter and Its Interactions

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Hands-on

In this lesson students will explore the effects of acidic ocean waters on certain marine organisms, in the ocean food web, and to humans. Students will conduct a science experiment using the scientific method to see the effects of increased acidity on certain species. They will also investigate the causes for increased ocean acidity and discuss ways to minimize the impact as an individual and as a society.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Ecosystems

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Fix the ocean

What exactly are Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, and why are they important?