NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database

⚠️ This page recently underwent an update. If you had bookmarked direct links to search results from this page prior to March 18, 2024, those links may no longer work and you may need to make a new bookmark. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at education@noaa.gov.

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
Grade 3-5

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

This feature is part of a monthly series profiling scientists and technicians who provide exemplary contributions to the mission of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R). In this "Minds Behind OR&R," meet Carlie Herring, a research analyst for the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Space
Space weather
Technology and engineering
Satellites

A Q&A with Meghan Stockman, NOAA Space Weather Forecaster.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Weather and atmosphere
Satellites
Fisheries and seafood
Weather observations

Four NOAA employees were recognized at the annual Women of Color in STEM conference, which was held virtually October 8-10, 2020. These awards highlight significant achievements in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Harmful algal blooms
Fires
Weather systems and patterns
Weather observations

Learn from recipients of the Black Engineer of the Year awards about their paths to a career at NOAA and their advice for future STEM leaders.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons

Special categories

Printable

You may have noticed that meteorologists and climatologists define seasons differently from “regular” or astronomical spring, summer, fall, and winter. So, why do meteorological and astronomical seasons begin and end on different dates? In short, it’s because the astronomical seasons are based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun, whereas the meteorological seasons are based on the annual temperature cycle.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Podcast
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Weather and atmosphere
Tsunamis

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Meteotsunamis occur all over the world — including the Great Lakes — but scientists are just beginning to better detect and understand them. In this podcast, learn about new research that advances what we know about these little known, but surprisingly common, weather-driven events.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Microplastics are found throughout the ocean, from tropical waters, to polar ice, and even in fresh water and the air we breathe. Learn more about the different types of microplastics, where they come from, and what you can do to help!

Audience

Grade 3-5

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Marine mammals
Aquatic food webs

Collection name

Microworlds

Microworlds is an award-winning series of three educational videos from the Microworlds series produced for the 5th grade Microworlds Science Unit. This episode follows marine mammal biologist, Tony Orr, who investigates the food habits of seals.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Fish

A video on some issues impacting fish health.

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
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Learn about NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer ship and how the technology onboard helps shape the future of ocean exploration.