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.

This website has a wealth of resources on North Carolina's estuaries including lesson plans, field guides, field trips opportunities, professional development opportunities and online water and weather data. Site also features EstuaryCam, a live shot of Beaufort Inlet. Downloadable video is available of lessons, events, and workshops. Full description.

The NOAA Photo Library has been built to capture the work, observations, and studies that are carried on by the scientists, engineers, commissioned officers, and administrative personnel that make up this complex and scientifically diverse agency. It also has been built in an attempt to capture NOAA's scientific heritage. To date, over 16,000 images have been digitized and reside in the online NOAA ... Full description.

Scientists and educators have joined forces to create this collection of teaching materials on El Nino, storms, the atmosphere, fisheries, the Great Lakes, and oceans. Each unit contains background information, data, applications, and additional activities. Activities and information are available in pdf and web page forms. Full description.

Teaching activities that investigate hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning by tracking their courses and measuring their strength, plus learn how weather is forecasted. Includes background information, data, applications, and additional activities. Links to related sites, as well as a wealth of similar NOAA lessons covering a variety of marine and environmental science topics. Full description.

Sea Grant's award winning, comprehensive exotic species resource center with everything from educational materials to research findings on a variety of exotic species. Site features peer-reviewed literature, unreviewed publications, and the outreach section includes a searchable database of reference material covering all aspects of nonindigenous species, including individual exotic species. Also ... Full description.

Classrooms and individuals can log on to participate in a real-time field trip to a National Estuary Research Reserve. Ask questions, view live video and still images, and learn about estuaries from experts. Topics range from geology to water quality, estuary plants and animals, and cultural heritage. Includes: references and lesson plans, classroom activities and teachers' guides. Archives of previous ... Full description.

Access to over 160 lesson plans developed by scientists and educators during NOAA's 2001-2004 Ocean Explorer field seasons. Search by grade level, geographical region, subject, specific expedition, or keyword. Lessons correspond with a NOAA exploration, can be supplemented with daily mission logs, images and video. They include: Learning Objectives, Background Information, Evaluations, Extensions, ... Full description.

Overview of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), a major Mid-Atlantic resource. Topics covered include: horseshoe crab biology and life cycle, breeding beaches and ecological importance of horseshoe crab eggs for migrating birds. Biomedical and other uses of horseshoe crabs are explained, and impacts of overharvesting on their populations are described. Current research, fishery management, volunteer ... Full description.