Program Packet 2024 - 2025
The Program Packet provides an overview of the NOAA Ocean Guardian School (OGS) requirements, guidelines and resources.
Orientation Webinar, Sept. 2024
The NOAA Ocean Guardian School Orientation Webinar was held on Thursday, September 14th. A full recording of the webinar and the presentation slides can be downloaded below.
Download the webinar recording
Resources Toolkit
The Toolkit contains resources for each project pathway as well as Spanish language resources and sanctuary specific lessons and activities.
Download Ocean Guardian School
At-home Waste Audit Data Card
Ocean Guardian School Communications Toolkit
The Ocean Guardian School Communications Toolkit includes a variety of materials to help you communicate your project to a variety of audiences. Most of the items in the toolkit are designed to serve as a template that you can customize when writing about your unique project.
Ocean Guardian School: Pathway Connections
This document was developed as a resource for Ocean Guardian School teachers who wish to connect their Ocean Guardian project activities to standards-based learning outcomes. K-12 learning outcomes are identified for each project pathway (Watershed Restoration, 6Rs, Marine Debris, School Garden/Habitat and Energy & Ocean Health), and for each of these outcomes, links are provided to the corresponding NGSS Performance Expectations and the California Environmental Principles and Concepts
Video Library
The Ocean Guardian School Program has a growing library of educational videos. We have only one copy of each of the DVDs which may be borrowed for a 5-day period or longer depending on the demand. Please contact Alyssa Leadingham (alyssa.leadingham@noaa.gov) for more information.
Ocean Guardian School Signage
These 8" x 10" signs can be downloaded to print for use at your school's hydration stations or other locations around campus. The slogans were created by Ocean Guardian students and the student artwork was selected from Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs
NOAA Bilingual Release Forms
In order for the Ocean Guardian School program to use any Ocean Guardian project photos/videos/recordings/artwork for outreach purposes (e.g., websites, newsletters, videos, social media, documents, reports, story maps, podcasts, etc.), we must have signed NOAA release forms from the featured students and adults. Please read the Guidance Document before selecting the appropriate form.
If you have a pre-existing media release form at your school site, you may add the following paragraph (including your school name) to your form to allow us to share.
'I also consent to [your school name] providing prints, photographs, video recordings, and audio recordings to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and grant NOAA the right to use, reproduce, edit, and/or broadcast any and all photographs, video recordings, and audio recordings of me taken by or on behalf of [your school name] during activities funded or supported by NOAA. Please see the NOAA Privacy Act Statement.'
Parent Letters
The Fall and Spring Parent Letters are a great way for you to inform your parent community about your school's participation in the Ocean Guardian School program. These letters are not mandatory. Please use the templates as you wish.
English
NOAA Ocean Guardian School (OGS) Logo
FUNDED schools are required to use the OGS logo on any products developed with Ocean Guardian School grant funds (e.g., water bottles, signage, t-shirts, reusable bags, etc.) as well as on any communications about the school's Ocean Guardian School project (e.g., press releases, print publications, signage, online messaging, etc.). Please contact your regional coordinator for more guidance and access to the electronic OGS logo files.
NON-FUNDED schools are required to use the OGS logo on communications about the school's Ocean Guardian School project (e.g., press releases, print publications, signage, online messaging, etc.). Although it is not required, non-funded schools are encouraged to use the OGS logo on products that are funded from other sources. Please contact your regional coordinator for more guidance and access to the electronic OGS logo files.
Ocean Guardian Project Introduction Presentation Resources
Ocean Guardian School Intro Video
This 10 minute video meets all requirements for a Project Intro Presentation EXCEPT for specific information about your school's Ocean Guardian School project. Please do not share this video in any public venue or on any social media site.
Ocean Guardian School Intro PowerPoints
These Intro PowerPoints may be used as an alternative to the Ocean Guardian Intro video. They each share the same general information on the National Marine Sanctuary System and the land-ocean connection with a section highlighting a different national marine sanctuary. The General PPT is recommended for those schools that are not near a designated national marine sanctuary. You may edit or add to any PowerPoint to best fit your Ocean Guardian School project and/or audience.
- GENERAL Ocean Guardian School Introduction
- California National Marine Sanctuaries
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
- Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
- Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
- Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
- National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Lessons and Activities
Many of these lessons and activities were developed by the Channel Islands MERITO Academy (Multicultural Education for Resource Issues Threatening Oceans). This program works to build sanctuary stewardship, helps to increase understanding of ocean-related threats and motivates culturally diverse students to pursue careers in marine sciences and/or resources. The MERITO lessons are for Ocean Guardian School use only and not to be shared on any social media or web site.
For additional curriculum materials on Ocean Guardian School related topics, please visit the following NOAA websites:
- sanctuaries.noaa.gov/education/
- marinedebris.noaa.gov/educate-others/curriculum
- www.climate.gov/teaching/2014-national-climate-assessment-resources-educators
Marine Debris
Save Our Shores: Save Our Shores (SOS) is a non-profit marine conservation organization located in Santa Cruz, CA.
MERITO Lessons:
Beach Cleanup
Trash Traits
Oil for Better and
for Worse
Communicating
for the Future
Recognition Rubric/Checklist
Before the pandemic, the Recognition Rubric was the basis for awarding NOAA Ocean Guardian School recognition and banner(s). Given the impacts from the pandemic on K-12 education, the Recognition Rubric has been significantly revised and renamed Recognition Checklist. The checklist reflects an appreciation of the effort and commitment it takes to engage students in environmental education in such challenging times.
OGS Final Report Survey
At the end of the year, lead teachers will complete an Final Report Survey. This is a copy of the 2025 Final Report Survey.