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 K-2
Grade 3-5

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Physical science
Social studies

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Background information
Collection
Multimedia
Game/online activity
Video

Topic

Climate
Climate change
Climate change impacts
Marine life
Coral reef ecosystems
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Seabirds
Seaweed, algae, and aquatic plants
Sharks, rays, and skates
Ocean and coasts
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean acidification
Ocean pollution and marine debris

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System, the best of the best educational materials for an elementary school audience have been compiled in collaboration with the National Park Trust. Discover Spectacular with these education and outreach digital materials focused on 10 exciting topics: climate change, ocean acidification, marine debris, kelp forest ecosystems, coral reef ecosystems, sea turtles, sharks, whales and ocean noise, seabirds, and shipwrecks.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Background information
Collection
Coloring/activity book
Multimedia
Images
Video
Webinar
Poster/brochure
Related story

Topic

Marine life
Sea turtles

Special categories

Virtual reality/VR

Sea turtles are a key part of marine ecosystems worldwide, but they face many threats today. Explore a collection of NOAA webinars, a virtual reality dive, lesson plans, videos, posters, web stories, and more to gain a deeper understanding of sea turtle species and NOAA's efforts within the sanctuary system to protect them and limit the threats they face.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Drought
Fish
Marine mammals
Weather systems and patterns
Hurricanes
El Niño and La Niña

Comprehensive list of recent and historical El Niño / La Niña impacts.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information
Related story

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña

Regularly updated blog posts from Climate.gov on the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The blog began in 2014.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Conservation
Entanglement
Fisheries and seafood
Sea turtles

Turtle excluder devices promote sea turtle conservation by allowing sea turtles to escape safely from fishing gear.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Background information
Collection

Topic

Marine life
Salmon
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood

Collection name

Fun facts about sea life

NOAA Fisheries answers thousands of questions every year about the ocean and the life that thrives within them. Learn fascinating information about fish and other marine animals, and dive deeper into more information on these species.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Engineering and technology

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Background information
Collection

Topic

Climate
Climate data monitoring
Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides
Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
Clouds
El Niño and La Niña
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Instructional strategies
Informal
Printable
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

JetStream: An online school for weather

This site is designed to help educators, emergency managers, or anyone interested in learning about weather and weather safety. The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject; beginning with global and large-scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones and flooding. Interspersed in JetStream are "Learning Lessons" which can be used to enhance the educational experience.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña

A primer on El Niño, La Niña, and the El Niño /Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

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

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Lesson plan
Module/unit
Background information

Topic

Freshwater
Watersheds, flooding, and pollution
Marine life
Aquatic food webs
Entanglement
Invasive marine species
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Seabirds
NOAA careers
Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Weather and atmosphere
Hazards and safety
Hurricanes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

NGSS DCI

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
ETS1: Engineering Design

Special categories

Citizen science
Instructional strategies
Education at home
Hands-on
Models
Outdoor education
Scientists in action

Collection name

NOAA Marine Debris Program

Marine debris is a pervasive, global problem and one that is felt locally in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Through a NOAA Marine Debris Program prevention grant, the University of the Virgin Islands(link is external) adapted and revised marine debris lessons for USVI, including Oregon Marine Debris STEAMSS, Turning the Tide on Trash, and Talking Trash and Taking Action. The curriculum was co-created with the input of educators from USVI who participated in workshops and provided input following in-class use. The curriculum also includes 15 spotlights, which highlight USVI-specific marine debris research, local researchers, community-led prevention efforts, and natural disaster impacts from marine debris.

Audience

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

Subject

Life science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Marine life
Sea turtles

Learn the basics of the six sea turtle species that are found in U.S. waters and what NOAA does to protect them.