El Nino is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific with important climatic consequences around the globe. This NOAA theme page features links to widely distributed information. Includes data, graphics, forecasts, historical perspectives, and in-depth analysis. It is intended to be useful to scientists, administrators, students and the general public. Links include sites ... Full description.

The National Marine Sanctuary Program identifies, designates and manages areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic qualities. Access information and pictures of marine sanctuaries all over the U.S. and its territories. Discover ways to get involved with the sanctuary program, ... Full description.

These lesson plans in life sciences, physical science, chemistry and engineering link to projects of NOAA's Aquarius undersea research station. Topics include the: impacts of buoyancy, pressure and light on underwater research; effects of physical oceanography on coral reefs; effects of water temperature on the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis; engineering of AUVs; fish survey techniques; chemical ecology; ... Full description.

Marine video programs designed to enhance science education in middle schools. Broad range of ocean science topics, participating teachers can download teaching guides. Archived program packets are downloadable as pdf files. Fees apply for purchase of videos. Full description.

Classroom activities based on how scientists study active volcanoes on the deep ocean floor. Activities include: locating an earthquake epicenter, recording geological and biological information during an ocean floor traverse, creating cross-section profiles of the ocean floor, and graphing seafloor data. Resources include videos and teacher guides. Full description.

Set of six interdisciplinary lesson plans from the Smithsonian, complementing their online "Ocean Planet" exhibit. Topics include: ocean bottom features and seafloor mapping; marine habitats and biodiversity; consumer goods from the ocean; oil spills impacts and solutions; causes of marine strandings; ocean-inspired vocabulary. Units contain: background; instructions for the teacher; maps, data and ... Full description.

Developed and maintained by the Jason Education Project at the Texas A&M University, this comprehensive site has educational information and activities on weather, foraminifera, coral reefs, satellites, El Nino, ice ages, fisheries, waves, icebergs and currents. A wealth of student and educator resources is available. Teacher resources include a crash-course in oceanography, a section on using ... Full description.

LOCUS is a collaborative site featuring the use of Giovanni, a Web-based data exploration and analysis tool. LOCUS is intended to support the research use of Ocean Color Giovanni, which has data from SeaWiFS and MODIS-Aqua. The site includes several educational modules covering ocean color and sea surface temperature, boundary currents, upwelling and primary productivity, interannual and seasonal ... Full description.

Unit from Smithsonian multidisciplinary ocean curriculum. Focuses on sources of oil pollution and effects on ocean, marine life and humans. Students predict impacts of an oil spill and plan actions needed to protect and restore habitat and wildlife. Lab activities demonstrate properties of oil. Unit includes: background, instructions for the teacher, forms for student activities, discussion questions; ... Full description.

Unit from Smithsonian multidisciplinary ocean curriculum. Lesson plan focuses on how dynamic coastlines, oceanographic conditions and human activities affect marine animals such as cetaceans, pinnipeds and sea turtles. Students study sea turtle migrations, use math skills to plot sea turtle strandings on the Atlantic Coast. Unit includes: background essay; teacher instructions; maps for student activity; ... Full description.