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.

Joint US and France project, the TOPEX-Poseidon satellites continuously measures sea surface height. Oceans store and transport solar heat, helping to keep Earth's climate in balance. The overall shape of the oceans' "hills" and "valleys" is called ocean surface topography, or OST. Precise knowledge of OST is essential to predict the effects of catastrophic storms. Educational resources available ... 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.

Contains information on REEF, an organization devoted to preserving marine life through education, research and involvement. It includes a fish gallery with images and information on a variety of tropical fish. Membership provides reduced-cost dive trips all over the world to conduct observational research while diving. New data is added daily from volunteers world-wide and is available for download ... Full description.

Use real-time data to investigate the driving forces behind the Gulf Stream, learn how it affects the Atlantic Ocean, and explore how it affects mankind on a daily basis. This website provides classroom activities in science, math, history and language arts. Use the material as a complete tutorial, or use pieces individually to supplement traditional classroom lessons. Many external links that provide ... 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.