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
Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Mapping and charting
Ecosystems
Ocean floor features

OceanReports is the most comprehensive web-based spatial assessment tool for the ocean in the U.S., designed to improve decision-making and increase transparency for ocean and coastal users, and resource managers. The tool contains approximately 100 distinct data layers capable of analyzing energy and minerals, natural resources (including species and habitats), transportation and infrastructure, oceanographic and biophysical conditions, and the local ocean economy for any area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Career profile
Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Learn from ocean safety expert Bruckner Chase on how to stay safe in the water.

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

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean exploration

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Hear from maritime archaeologist Jim Delgado on what we can learn from shipwrecks.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Webinar

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Technology and engineering
Coral reef ecosystems
Climate change impacts

Collection name

Ocean Today

Take a 30 minute tour of the free videos and resources available from NOAA’s Ocean Today program, focusing on the Coral Comeback collection.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Ocean and coasts
Buoys
Ocean currents

Collection name

Ocean Today

Through the NOAA Adopt a Drifter Program, kids are learning about ocean currents in real time, as scientists collect and analyze ocean data.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Carbon cycle

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

Learn about "black carbon," which is a fancy name for soot, and its role in climate change. Black carbon comes from sources like burning fossil fuels, forest fires, and cookstoves. The video transcript is available in English and Spanish.

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

College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean floor features

Collection name

Ocean Today

Scientists believe that 80 percent of the volcanic eruptions on Earth take place in the ocean. Most of these volcanoes are thousands of feet deep, and difficult to find. But in May of 2009, scientists captured the deepest ocean eruption ever found.

Audience

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

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

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

Collection name

Ocean Today: Exploration
Ocean Today

In the United States, NOAA is the only federal agency with an ocean exploration program. We go into these areas that nobody has ever been before to try to find out what is there. Follow along!