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.


Coral Crash Course

The Coral Crash Course Classroom Opportunity is for classrooms grades 7-12 in American Samoa. Presentations and hands-on activities are focused on the topic of coral reefs across the Pacific, from American Samoa to Palau: their importance, threats they face, and how to help. Availability is limited. Contact Isabel.Gaoteote@noaa.gov to register in advance.

A flyer titled 'Coral Crash Course Classroom Opportunity' features an underwater background with coral and fish. It invites grades 7-12 classrooms to participate in a ~1 hour presentation and activity on coral reefs, their importance, threats, and conservation. The event is hosted by UH Mānoa PhD candidates Keiko Wilkins and Alexi Meltel and takes place on February 12-14 and 18-21. The flyer mentions topics such as plastic pollution and coral bleaching in the Pacific, including American Samoa and Palau. It includes images of the two speakers and a contact email (ISABEL.GAOTEOTE@NOAA.GOV) for registration. Logos for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa are at the bottom.

Plastic Pollution Workshop Opportunity

An engaging workshop opportunity on Plastic Pollution for classrooms grades 7-12 in American Samoa. This hands-on session will guide educators and students in isolating plastics from environmental samples and exploring the impacts of plastic pollution on American Samoa. Availability is limited. Contact Isabel.Gaoteote@noaa.gov to register in advance.
A flyer for a 'Plastic Pollution Workshop Opportunity' invites classrooms from grades 7-12 to an engaging workshop by UH Mānoa PhD candidates Keiko Wilkins and Alexi Meltel. Topics include plastic pollution, a hands-on session to guide educators and students in isolating plastics from environmental samples, and exploring the impacts of plastic pollution in American Samoa. The event runs Feb 12-14 and 18-21, with limited slots. Contact ISABEL.GAOTEOTE@NOAA.GOV to register. Logos for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa are at the bottom.

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.

Teachers working together to complete a challenge

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 sos.noaa.gov/education/lesson-plans/.

Students raise their hands while facing sphere with words projected on it

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.

A collection of books and other teaching materials

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

Ocean Tales Reading Program

what's in the ocean?

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.