With a discussion and a brief film, introduce populations. Using paper fish models, your class participates in a simulation in which they survey numbers of fish. As a class, they tally up the different types. The challenge with this...

Coral reefs contain some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Introduce reef residents to youngsters with a three-minute video. While the content is educational, it is not particularly engaging or clear. You may choose to skip the...

A more thorough presentation on coastal systems would be difficult to find! Detailed diagrams illuminate the offshore, shoreface, foreshore, and backshore zones of  beach. The sources and movement of sediments along the coastline...

Show the six-minute video, "Changing Planet: Fading Corals," and then demonstrate how calcium carbonate forms a precipitate in the presence of carbon dioxide. Separate your scientists into small groups to gather information about coral...

Using photographs and a coral reef identification key, junior marine biologists compare changes in coral cover for a No-Take Area and the surrounding unprotected area. The data that is collected is then analyzed for richness,...

Each slide is a simple notebook page with one landform in blue and its definition in red. There are 26 vocabulary terms in all, some you may want to use, and others easily hidden. It is recommended that you add photos or other graphic...

This is not revolutionary, but it is informative. Earth science viewers in grades 7-12 get carried away with wave and wind erosion. They view diagrams of how waves impact ocean shorelines. They see examples of the different types of sand...

Plant and animal life of the ocean is the focus of this science lesson. Young scientists sort a variety of seashells and explore why many sea animals have shells. They examine the shells, write journal entries highlighting the...

Students explore the concept of global climate. For this global climate lesson, students research and investigate global warming and its effects on the world over the course of 9 lessons. Students create a proposal that show the effects...

Students explore coral reef ecosystems.  In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform.  Students construct a miniature...

Students investigate the dangers Coral Reefs face by investigating satellite images.  In this environmental protection lesson, students utilize the Internet to discover the types of satellites and sensors used to provide...

Students explore the marine ecosystem and the importance of sharks. In this shark lesson, students look at photos of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and discuss the animals that live there. They discuss which animals...

Students study the life cycle of a coral reef. They then participate in a simulated village meeting in which they roleplay various characters who must review proposed legislation dealing with reef management.

Young scholars, with dive partners, explore coral reefs through scuba diving. They also explore radial symmetry and bilateral symmetry.

Students explore coral communities. They explore a coral polyp and build a coral head.

Young scholars conduct discussions on current threats to coral reefs around the world and write letters to conservation organizations urging support for coral reef protection.

Students identify the main parts of a coral reef. They describe a coral reef food chain.

Students build a coral reef, then discover organisms that make up the ecosystem.

Learners explore coral reefs by re-enacting different reef organisms.

Fifth graders explore how coral polyps increase the chances of egg and sperm meeting after being released into the vast ocean waters.

Learn about the coastal ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

Detailed instructions, with photographs for every step, for how to build a coral reef diorama.

A set of illustrated fact pages, and some activity sheets, on coral reefs, tidal pools, and ocean ecosystems. Find maps, graphic organizers, and a movie link to tidal zones. Hyperlinks to specialized vocabulary words are also provided....

Because this site belongs to a diving tour company rather than to an aquarium or museum, the information about the Napoleon wrasse is "up close and personal." Learn basic facts about these fish, but also learn how they react to humans in...