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 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Background information

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns

The term jet stream is used increasingly in both weather forecasts and news reports of extreme events, from cold spells and flooding to heatwaves and droughts. But what is the jet stream, and why do we care about it so much?

Audience

Grade 6-8
Grade 9-12
College+
Adults

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Climate
Changing seasons
Climate data monitoring
Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns

Even though he’s been forecasting since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil’s track record for the entire country isn’t perfect. To determine just how accurate he is, we’ve compared U.S. national temperatures with Phil’s forecasts. On average, Phil has gotten it right 40% of the time over the past 10 years.

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

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns
El Niño and La Niña

A NOAA-funded study shows that the 1918/1919 El Niño was one of the strongest of the 20th century, a finding counter to earlier analyses that viewed it as weak. This research could ultimately lead to a better understanding of how El Niño events impact weather in the United States and globally. It also suggests a possible link between El Niño and the 1918 flu pandemic. NOAA's Climate Program Office funded the study.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Marine life
Weather and atmosphere
Fisheries and seafood
Weather systems and patterns

Three NOAA employees were recognized at the annual 2020 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Global Competitiveness Conference. These awards recognize significant achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science
Physical science

Resource type

Career profile

Topic

Marine life
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Ocean exploration
Fisheries and seafood
Weather systems and patterns
Ocean currents

Six NOAA employees were recognized at the annual 2019 Women of Color in STEM conference. These awards recognize significant achievement in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Advanced data product
Data product
Background information
Collection

Topic

Weather and atmosphere
Weather systems and patterns

Access information, images, analyses, diagnostics of current conditions, forecasts, and projects related to atmospheric rivers.

Audience

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

Subject

Social studies
Earth science
Life science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Marine life
Ocean and coasts
Satellites
Ocean sounds
Plankton
Sharks, rays, and skates
Fish
Harmful algal blooms
Invertebrates
Sea turtles
Marine mammals
Fisheries and seafood
Coral reef ecosystems
Oil spills
Ocean pollution and marine debris

Special categories

Other languages
Spanish

Collection name

Bite-sized Science webinar series

These 30-minute webinars are presented by Florida Sea Grant extension agents and specialists. They focus on marine and coastal science topics, specifically related to Florida. Some webinars were presented in Spanish.

Audience

Adults
College+
Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Earth science

Resource type

Related story

Topic

Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Climate data monitoring
Weather systems and patterns
El Niño and La Niña

Volcanic eruptions have had HUGE impacts on the global climate by cooling Earth. It’s only natural to wonder, if the planet is affected by volcanic eruptions, can ENSO be?

Audience

Grade 9-12
Grade 6-8

Subject

Engineering and technology
Earth science

Resource type

Webinar
Collection
Multimedia

Topic

Technology and engineering
Climate
Weather and atmosphere
Ocean and coasts
Satellites
Drought
Cryosphere
Fires
Carbon cycle
Weather systems and patterns
Hurricanes

Collection name

CIRES/NOAA Science@Home webinar

The CIRES/NOAA Science-at-Home webinars connected middle and high school classrooms in the virtual/remote learning landscape with Earth scientists. Topics include sea ice, glaciers, hurricanes, wildfires, remote sensing, climate change, and more.