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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Climate
Climate change impacts
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Citizen science
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Research

By studying ships’ logs dating back to the 19th century, we can find all sorts of weather data that we can plug into computer models and improve our climate projections. Find out how you can help.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Citizen science

It’s been the stuff of science fiction for generations: a time machine that would allow researchers to reach back into yesteryear and ask new questions about long-ago events.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Water cycle
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

To help people prepare for and manage the effects of coastal flooding, NOAA has brought together data from its over 200 coastal water level stations into one easy-to-use web tool.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Marine life
Freshwater
Technology and engineering
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Go fish

Dams can provide clean electrical power, but they can also block passageways for migrating fish. NOAA has helped remove over 50 dams in 12 years, enabling migratory fish to finally reach their historic habitat.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Math
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

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

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Ocean and coasts
Ocean chemistry
Plankton
Invasive marine species
Climate change
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Salmon
Sharks, rays, and skates
Seabirds
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Marine mammals
Life in an estuary
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean acidification

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design
PS3: Energy
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Special categories

Scientists in action
Project-based
Uses data
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Oregon Marine Scientist and Educator Alliance (ORSEA)

Created by teams of educators and marine scientists, ORSEA lessons are centered around marine-focused anchoring phenomena. Each multi-day learning unit supports data science education and ocean literacy, while also exposing students to a variety of marine-related careers. This project is funded by Oregon Sea Grant and the National Science Foundation through OSU's Regional Class Research Vessel Project.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Multimedia
Video

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Ecosystems
Marine mammals

In 2002, an orphaned killer whale was discovered in Puget Sound. Follow Springer's amazing rescue in this film and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of her successful reunion and recovery.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8
Grade 3-5
Grade K-2

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Video
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Fisheries and seafood
Climate change impacts

Climate change will affect every aspect of NOAA Fisheries' mission — there is much at risk. Learn how we are working to understand the impacts and respond to these changes.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Join Bruckner Chase in the Ocean Today Wave Safe series as we travel the country’s coasts to teach you how to protect yourself and others.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Coloring/activity book

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Special categories

Printable

Downloadable and printable activity books for children on weather hazards like flooding, hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes featuring the National Weather Service's Owlie.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science

Resource type

Coloring/activity book

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather observations
Tornadoes
Hurricanes

Special categories

Printable
Safety/preparedness

This coloring book from the National Weather Service explores hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and winter storms.