Coral Conservation

🎓 Audience

Education: Grade(s) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Teacher(s)/Educator(s), Parent, Adult Learners, Homeschool/Family , Learning Pod; Public Library: Library Patrons, Library Staff

 🧬 Topics

Career & Technical Education (CTE), Economics/Business, Health & Physical Education, Industrial Technology, Professional Development, Science, STEM, Technology/Information Science

🗂️ Format

• Introduction and Overview: Introduction to coral reef ecosystems and their importance, inviting learners to share what they know about corals and ocean conservation.

• Segment 1 – Coral Basics and Biodiversity: Learn what corals are, where they live, and how they build reef ecosystems. Discover the biodiversity found on coral reefs and their importance to both marine life and people—supporting coastal resilience, tourism, and biomedical research.

• Segment 2 – Coral Reefs in Danger: Investigate the threats facing coral reefs today, such as rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and disease. Discuss why these changes matter and what is at stake if reefs disappear.

• Segment 3 – Science and Solutions at Mote: Explore how Mote Marine Laboratory scientists study, grow, and restore corals. Learn about coral reproduction (sexual and asexual), resilient genotypes, coral nurseries, and how innovative research supports long-term reef recovery.

• Questions and Answers: Time is provided for learners to ask questions and reflect on how they can contribute to coral conservation.

🎯 Objectives

1. Identify the basic characteristics of corals, where they are found, and the diverse marine life they support.

2. Discuss the importance of coral reefs for marine biodiversity, coastal protection, and human livelihoods.

3. Reflect on the global challenges coral reefs face, including climate change and ocean acidification.

4. Analyze the methods used by Mote Marine Laboratory to study, grow, and restore coral reefs.

5. Formulate personal and community-based actions to support coral conservation.

✏️ Standards this program supports

Next Generation Science Standards

• ETS1.B 6–8 — Developing Possible Solutions. Learners explore how scientists design and test methods for restoring coral reefs, including the use of coral nurseries and resilient genotypes.

• ETS1.B 9–12 — Developing Possible Solutions. Learners evaluate how research informs the development of innovative coral restoration strategies to address large-scale reef degradation.

• LS1.A 6–8 — Structure and Function. Learners examine coral anatomy and physiology, including how structure relates to reef-building and symbiotic relationships.

• LS1.A 9–12 — Structure and Function. Learners analyze how coral polyp structures support life functions and enable reef construction through calcium carbonate deposition.

• LS1.B 6–8 — Growth and Development of Organisms. Learners investigate how corals reproduce both sexually and asexually, and how these processes are used in restoration.

• LS1.B 9–12 — Growth and Development of Organisms. Learners explore the role of coral reproduction and early life stages in reef recovery and population resilience.

• LS1.C 6–8 — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms. Learners learn how coral symbiosis with algae supports energy flow within the reef ecosystem.

• LS1.C 9–12 — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms. Learners evaluate the role of symbiotic relationships in coral energy dynamics and how environmental stress disrupts this balance.

• LS2.A 6–8 — Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems. Learners identify the diverse organisms that live in reef habitats and the relationships that sustain reef ecosystems.

• LS2.A 9–12 — Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems. Learners assess how coral reefs function as complex, interdependent communities and how disturbances impact biodiversity.

• LS2.B 6–8 — Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems. Learners describe how coral reefs contribute to nutrient cycling and energy flow in marine ecosystems.

• LS2.B 9–12 — Cycles of Matter and Energy Transfer in Ecosystems. Learners analyze how disruptions to coral reefs affect the balance of matter and energy in coastal ecosystems.

• LS2.C 6–8 — Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience. Learners explore how coral reefs respond to environmental changes and what makes certain species or genotypes more resilient.

• LS2.C 9–12 — Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience. Learners investigate how restoration techniques aim to enhance reef resilience and promote long-term ecosystem recovery.

• LS4.C 6–8 — Adaptation. Learners examine how corals have adapted to their environments and how certain traits may support survival under stress.

• LS4.C 9–12 — Adaptation. Learners evaluate the selection of coral genotypes for restoration based on their tolerance to heat and disease.

• LS4.D 6–8 — Biodiversity and Humans. Learners discuss how coral reefs support biodiversity and provide essential services for coastal communities.

• LS4.D 9–12 — Biodiversity and Humans. Learners assess the ecological and economic value of coral reefs, and how biodiversity loss impacts human well-being.

Ocean Literacy Principles

• • Ocean Literacy Principle #5 – The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.

  • Ocean Literacy Principle #6 – The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.

UN SDGs

• • 13 - Climate Action

  • 14 - Life Below Water

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)

• SC.6.E.7.6 – Differentiate between weather and climate. Application: Learners explore how long-term climate change, such as warming oceans and acidification, impacts coral reef health.

• SC.6.L.14.6 – Compare and contrast types of infectious agents. Application: Learners investigate how coral diseases, caused by bacteria or viruses, affect reef ecosystems and how scientists monitor outbreaks.

• SC.6.L.15.1 – Analyze and describe how adaptations help organisms survive in changing environments. Application: Learners examine how certain coral genotypes exhibit resilience to heat stress and bleaching events.

• SC.6.N.1.5 – Recognize that science involves creativity, not just in designing experiments, but also in creating explanations that fit evidence. Application: Learners learn how Mote scientists apply innovative methods, like microfragmentation and assisted fertilization, to restore coral reefs.

• SC.7.L.16.4 – Recognize and explore how gene expression can be influenced by environmental factors. Application: Learners discuss how stressors like temperature and water quality influence coral physiology and survival.

• SC.7.L.17.1 – Explain and illustrate the roles of and relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in food webs. Application: Learners analyze coral reefs as ecosystems, including energy flow through reef organisms and symbiotic relationships.

• SC.7.L.17.2 – Compare and contrast adaptations of organisms in different ecosystems. Application: Learners compare coral species from different regions and how they’ve adapted to their local environments.

• SC.8.L.18.1 – Describe and investigate the process of photosynthesis. Application: Learners consider the role of zooxanthellae in corals and how this symbiosis supports reef ecosystems.

• SC.8.L.18.3 – Construct a scientific model of the carbon cycle. Application: Learners explore how coral reefs influence and are influenced by the carbon cycle, including the formation of calcium carbonate.

• SC.912.L.14.6 – Explain the significance of genetic factors in cell function and reproduction. Application: Learners investigate how coral restoration efforts use selective breeding and genotyping to increase reef resilience.

• SC.912.L.17.2 – Explain the general distribution of life in aquatic systems as a function of chemistry, geography, light, depth, salinity, and temperature. Application: Learners examine how environmental factors determine coral reef locations and how scientists monitor those variables.

• SC.912.L.17.3 – Describe how interactions among organisms and the environment help shape ecosystems. Application: Learners analyze how coral reefs support complex interdependent communities and how ecosystem changes affect them.

• SC.912.L.17.4 – Describe changes in ecosystems resulting from seasonal variations, climate change, and human activity. Application: Learners investigate how coral bleaching, pollution, and rising sea temperatures affect reef systems globally and locally.

• SC.912.L.17.6 – Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms such as mutualism, predation, parasitism, competition, and commensalism. Application: Learners explore symbiotic relationships on coral reefs, especially between coral and zooxanthellae.

• SC.912.L.17.8 – Recognize the consequences of the loss of biodiversity. Application: Learners assess the ecological and societal impacts of coral reef decline and the loss of reef-dependent species.

• SC.912.L.17.13 – Discuss the need for adequate monitoring of environmental parameters when making policy decisions. Application: Learners investigate how coral monitoring informs conservation efforts and policy decisions at Mote and beyond.

• SC.912.L.17.16 – Discuss the large-scale environmental impacts resulting from human activity. Application: Learners analyze how human activities such as coastal development contribute to reef degradation.

• SC.912.L.17.17 – Assess the effectiveness of innovative methods of protecting the environment. Application: Learners evaluate the success of Mote’s coral restoration efforts, including nursery-based restoration and research into heat-tolerant corals.

• SC.912.L.17.20 – Predict the impact of individuals on environmental systems. Application: Learners consider how their actions, including plastic use and reef-safe sunscreen choices, impact coral health.