Resources for educators

National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa works through special partnerships with a group of local, regional, and federal agencies to provide resources, tools, and trainings that assist teachers in advancing their environmental goals in the classroom and pursue stewardship endeavors.

Teach the Teacher workshops

Professional development workshops with American Samoa Department of Education encourage educators to connect their lesson plans and activities to the ocean and STEM. These workshops provide teachers with resources and training to support ocean literacy in the classroom. Teachers are introduced to standards-based, hands-on activities that guide classroom teaching and learning. Ocean health, unique underwater habitats, underwater mapping, and remotely-operated vehicles are just a few topics that are discussed and encouraged for classroom implementation.

Science on a Sphere® at the Ocean Center

The Tauese P.F. Sunia Ocean Center has the only Science on a Sphere® in the South Pacific! This unique and captivating educational tool is designed to increase public understanding of the environment. Scripts, lesson plans, evaluations, and datasets can be integrated to teachers’ lesson plans to heighten and amplify student learning and understanding. Lesson plans are available at https://sos.noaa.gov/education/lesson-plans/.

Sanctuary Resource Library

The sanctuary has learning tools for teachers to implement ocean science and environmental education in their classrooms, and staff are currently working on a resource libThe sanctuary has learning tools for teachers who are looking to implement ocean science and environmental education in the classroom. Check out our newly developed Sanctuary Teacher Resources library that is now available to educators who register with our sanctuary education team. These resources include books, DVDs, activity kits, and lesson plans that are focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) and are used to enhance student learning. Download the flyer.

Please contact isabel.gaoteote@noaa.gov for other teacher opportunities, upcoming professional development, and much more.

Ocean Tales Reading Program

Ocean Tales is a reading program in partnership between National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa, American Samoa Department of Youth and Women's Affairs, and American Samoa Department of Education — focused on the wonderful and fascinating critters that live in the ocean. It takes reading and learning to an inspirational level for children in first and second grades as a way to connect our youth with the beautiful waters around American Samoa. If kids aren't able to visit the ocean or get in the water to explore, children's books take their minds into an underwater world to learn and appreciate. Download the flyer.