Resource Library

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students examine two maps that illustrate the tendency for people in the United States to settle near the coasts. They research environmental impacts on coastal ecosystems and conclude by writing reports on steps that are being taken to mitigate these impacts in specific parts of the country.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Response and Restoration provides scientific support for oil and chemical spill responses as well as damage assessments in coastal waters. In addition, NOAA is currently providing the latest news relating to the Gulf Oil Spill as well as fact sheets, publications and visuals.

In this lesson plan from National Geographic Xpeditions, students explore the weather phenomena El Niño and La Niña. They learn about when and where these weather changes occur and about the effects they have on everything in their wake. The lesson is appropriate for grades 6-8 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

The Ocean Project helps zoos, aquariums and museums educate their visitors and the public on the importance of ocean conservation by providing them with conservation communication, research, resources, tools and ocean information. The Ocean Project also coordinates World Oceans Day events worldwide annually in June.

In this lesson plan from Discovery Education, students learn about the migration patterns of whales and how scientists are tracking them in order to discover how whales are affected by changes in the environment. The lesson is appropriate for grades 6-8 and adheres to McREL standards in geography, technology, civics and life science.

NOAA's Ocean Explorer program fosters collaboration between ocean explorers and teachers to increase ocean literacy.

In this lesson from National Geographic Xpeditions, students learn about bioluminescent creatures and the underwater world in which they live. The activity is appropriate for grades 6-8 and adheres to National Geography Standards.

NASA provides educational resources on weather, climate and oceanic science for learners of all ages, including games, puzzles and facts for kids and resources, books, lesson plans and classroom activities for educators.

In this lesson plan from Discovery Education, students learn how blubber keeps marine mammals warm in cold water, by doing a simple experiment. They submerge their hands in cold water with and without a coating of vegetable shortening to discover how blubber acts as an insulator. The lesson is appropriate for grades K-5 and adheres to McREL standards in life science.

Earth Gauge provides environmental and climate knowledge to broadcast meteorologists in order to increase the public's knowledge to make environmentally informed decisions. The website provides facts and information relating climate to a number of topics, including oceans.