NOAA Sea to Sky: Education resource database

⚠️ This page recently underwent an update. If you had bookmarked direct links to search results from this page prior to March 18, 2024, those links may no longer work and you may need to make a new bookmark. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at education@noaa.gov.

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
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Collection
Multimedia
Video

Topic

Climate
Climate change
Climate change impacts
Cryosphere
Resiliency and mitigation
Marine life
Aquatic food webs
Coral reef ecosystems
Ecosystems
Fish
Fisheries and seafood
Invertebrates
Marine mammals
Sea turtles
Seabirds
Sharks, rays, and skates
Ocean and coasts
Harmful algal blooms
Maritime archaeology and history
Ocean acidification
Ocean currents
Ocean exploration
Ocean floor features
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Oil spills
Rip currents
Sea level rise
Tsunamis
Technology and engineering
Weather and atmosphere
El Niño and La Niña
Hazards and safety
Hurricanes
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Cultural heritage
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today

Watch. Explore. Discover. View the beauty and mystery of the ocean realm captured on video around the globe. Videos are organized into collections to help educators.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Rip currents

Collection name

Ocean Today

The best way to survive a rip current is to relax and float - don't try to swim against the current. Watch this video to learn more about what to do if you're caught in a rip current.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science
Life science
Social studies

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons
Climate data monitoring
Marine life
Marine mammals
Plankton
Ocean and coasts
Earth processes
Ocean chemistry
Rip currents
Weather and atmosphere
Hazards and safety
Weather observations
Weather systems and patterns

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Celebrate the season of spring with NOAA! From new graphics to educational resources, spring into science with us and check out our content.

Audience

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

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Rip currents

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish
Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

Rip currents account for 80% of beach rescues. Know what to do BEFORE you head to the beach to keep yourself and others safe.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Rip currents

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today

Research shows that teens are more likely to take risks than other age groups, which could make them more vulnerable to getting caught in a rip current. Share this video with the teens you know so they'll know what to do if they're caught in one - it could save their life.

Audience

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

Resource type

Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides
Rip currents

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today
Ocean Today: Danger zone

In the Ocean Today Wave Safe series, we have visited the country’s favorite shores to teach you about the unique waves and weather at each location.

Audience

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

Resource type

Career profile
Video

Topic

Ocean and coasts
Ocean currents
Tides
Rip currents

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today

Learn about how Bruckner Chase, Ocean and Coastal Safety Expert, replaced fear of the water with fascination, and learn how to stay safe in the water.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Background information
Collection

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Resiliency and mitigation
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Rip currents
Sharks, rays, and skates
Seabirds
Fish
ROVs, AUVs, and drones
Ecosystems
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Life in an estuary
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Aquatic food webs
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Hurricanes
El Niño and La Niña
Tsunamis
Tides
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris
Ocean floor features
Ocean currents
Ocean acidification

Collection name

Ocean facts

Get answers to hundreds of questions about the ocean and coasts on topics like ocean life and ecosystems, maritime transportation, technology, ocean observations and much more.

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Marine life
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Maritime archaeology and history
Rip currents
Hazards and safety
Ecosystems
Marine mammals
Climate data monitoring
Climate change impacts
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

Collection name

Ocean Today

The NOAA Ocean Today: Deeper Dive is a monthly webinar airing on or around the full moon. The show is hosted by educator and marine biologist Symone Barkley and features other guests from NOAA and elsewhere. Each month features a different ocean topic, such as marine archaeology, beach safety, and hurricanes. During the live webinar, viewers are engaged with videos from the Ocean Today collection, interactive polls, hands-on activities, and a chance to ask questions of our experts.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Easy-to-use data product
Data product

Topic

Freshwater
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Great Lakes ecoregion
Weather observations
Hazards and safety
Rip currents

Special categories

Safety/preparedness

View coastal and Great Lakes rip current forecasts using the National Weather Service's surf zone forecasts. You can access the data using a map or list of locations. This website also has links to rip current safety resources. The forecasts provided are simple, categorical data: [BULLET THIS TEXT] Low Risk: The risk for rip currents is low, however, life threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. Moderate Risk: Life threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone. High Risk: Life threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.