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NOAA Jeopardy

NOAA Jeopardy is a quiz game just like JEOPARDY! on TV – based on categories, the player is presented with an answer and must respond with the correct question. The unique answer-question format of the JEOPARDY! has become a popular tool with educators across the country. NOAA Jeopardy focuses on the agency’s themes of navigation, climate, ecosystems, and weather and water issues.

NOAA Jeopardy can be played by individuals or teams. If the game is played by teams, it is recommended that there be no more than four teams with a maximum of four members each.

There are three levels of NOAA Jeopardy (for Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12), each with age-appropriate answers and questions. Within each level, there are many categories that can be selected by the teacher.

How to Play:

  1. The player selects a category and point value from the board. The higher the point value, the more difficult the answer and question.
  2. The player must provide his or her response in the form of a question. A correct response will receive the points.
  3. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.

For the Teacher:

For each grade level, a series of categories with answers and questions is provided. Example:

Category: Begins with ‘S’
Jeopardy Point Value Answer Question

100

Amount of salt in water

What is Salinity?

200

Pacific Northwest anadromous fish

What is a Salmon?

300

Organisms living together, both benefiting from the association

What is Symbiosis?

400

Used by instruments to measure depth

What are sound waves?

500

Book that began environmental movement

What is Silent Spring?

A PowerPoint presentation of the NOAA Jeopardy game is available, with example categories selected for Grades 9-12. You may modify the presentation to reflect a different level of the game and/or different categories. To request a copy of the presentation, please contact Susan Baker. Suggestions for additional categories, answers & questions are welcomed, especially for Grades K-5 and 6-8.

Categories, answers, and questions for different levels of NOAA Jeopardy can be found here: