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

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.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
ELA (English Language Arts)
Engineering and technology
Life science

Resource type

Collection
Lesson plan
Activities, lessons, and units

Topic

Marine life
Invertebrates
Fisheries and seafood

NGSS DCI

ETS1: Engineering Design
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Special categories

Inquiry
Education at home
Models
Hands-on
Instructional strategies

Collection name

Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay modules

The elementary portion of the Oysters on the Chesapeake Bay learning sequence consists of six lessons; one for each grade in Kindergarten through 5th. Each lesson targets an important area in the study of oysters: individually, as part of an ecosystem, and in oyster restoration. While not directly building on each other, the lessons incorporate age-appropriate skills used in previous lessons and build new skills. Kindergarteners begin by learning about pollution in water, and in subsequent years build knowledge about oyster shells, oyster reefs, and oyster internal anatomy. By fifth grade, students consolidate their learning, examine other perspectives, and demonstrate their mastery of ecological principles. They investigate and communicate conflicting interests in oyster harvest and restoration and learn how science can be helpful in navigating the complexity of biological and sociological interactions.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science
Physical science

Resource type

Advanced data product
Data product

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean acidification

The Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) Carbon Program data portal is an interactive map that has ocean chemistry data including pH, carbon dioxide, dissolved carbon, and alkalinity. Data is collected from moorings and ships.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story
Video
Background information
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña

Collection name

Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory El Niño theme page

News, research, background information, FAQs, videos, and more on El Niño from the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product
Video
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Tsunamis

Collection name

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center animations and short videos

This collection of videos and animations includes background information on tsunamis and earthquakes, as well as information about specific events.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Multimedia
Infographic

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Region
Pacific Islands region

A map of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and the different names that have been used for the islands.