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.

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.

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.

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.

Search this NOAA database for historical and real-time water level data from coastal monitoring stations throughout the U.S. and in selected international sites. Provides tide level information and sea level trend plots. Can also access oceanographic, meteorological and astronomical data, including: air and water temperature; wind speed; barometric pressure; moon phase and moon/sun positions. Note: ... Full description.

National teacher enhancement program in physical oceanography. Project introduces teachers to physical oceanography topics, develops a team of master teachers who can incorporate physical oceanography into their courses and conduct peer training workshops in their region. Training workshop is held each summer in Annapolis, MD. Graduate credit is available. Full description.

Unit from Smithsonian multidisciplinary ocean curriculum. Lesson plan focuses on ocean bottom features including continental shelf, deep ocean plain, and mid-ocean ridges. Students study the discovery and mapping of seafloor features, learn to read seafloor maps, then create a map of Atlantic seafloor features. Unit includes: background essay; teacher instructions; maps and forms for student activity; ... Full description.