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.”

 

NGSS DCI
No results match your search.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science
Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion
Technology and engineering
Ships and planes

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Ever since Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 2000 as the first national marine sanctuary in the Great Lakes, staff and partners have undertaken several expeditions to search for shipwrecks, and have even discovered some that were lost for decades. Probably one of the most notable discoveries within the sanctuary since designation is that of the steamer Choctaw (1892-1915) and wooden bulk freighter Ohio (1873-1894) in historic shipping lanes off Presque Isle, Michigan in Lake Huron.

Audience

Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Social studies

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion
Ocean and coasts
Maritime archaeology and history
Technology and engineering
Ships and planes

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Did you know that there are about 120 World War II era aircraft lying at the bottom of Lake Michigan?

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine life
Fish
Fisheries and seafood
Invertebrates
Marine mammals
Salmon
Sea turtles
Sharks, rays, and skates

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Region
Alaska region
Pacific Islands region

NOAA Fisheries video gallery has short videos organized by topic and region. Explore Fisheries videos from across the country!

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Engineering and technology
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Ecosystems
Invertebrates
Great Lakes ecoregion
Marine mammals
Ocean floor features

Special categories

Cultural heritage

The sites of your National Marine Sanctuary System are hubs for science, exploration, and education. At any given time, researchers are in sanctuaries exploring the deep, monitoring kelp forests, tracking coral reef health, and more. Sanctuaries Live gives you a front row seat to sanctuary science. Watch expedition livestreams, chat with scientists, master educational resources, and more. As we learn more about the mysteries of the ocean, we can better protect our blue planet. Keep this page bookmarked and check back regularly for new opportunities.

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12

Subject

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

Resource type

Activities, lessons, and units
Activity/demonstration
Lesson plan
Module/unit

Topic

Freshwater
Great Lakes ecoregion

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Instructional strategies
Informal

These lessons acknowledge the enslaved Africans who were seeking freedom. This project is a part of a larger professional development effort to train educators to increase their knowledge of the Great Lakes and environmental issues while incorporating Environmental Justice Education (EJE) approaches to K-12 teaching. These lessons introduce an innovative way students can engage in place-based learning, by developing their understanding of their local history with the Underground Railroad and the connection to the Great Lakes.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Poster/brochure

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Invertebrates
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals

Special categories

Printable
Cultural heritage

As a part of the 50th anniversary of the 1972 National Marine Sanctuary Act, the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries released posters capturing the beauty and diversity of your National Marine Sanctuary System.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Freshwater
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Ocean sounds
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Ecosystems
Great Lakes ecoregion
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Coral reef ecosystems

Special categories

Cultural heritage

Collection name

Sanctuaries LIVE Interactions

​Live events, tailored for students and run through Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants, will connect viewers with national marine sanctuary experts in research, education, and exploration in real time. Through the following programs, you will be able to learn about national marine sanctuaries and ask questions to leading experts in their field.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Marine life
Freshwater
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean exploration
Great Lakes ecoregion

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Exploration

Maritime archaeologist Jim Delgado explains the importance of marine sanctuaries and how they protect not only nature but history as well.