Coral Reef Challenge: Don't Wreck the Reef

This resource, published by Georgia Tech Research Institute, features a biology and ecology activity designed for seventh graders. In this activity, students learn about the destruction of coral reefs in Fiji through the lesson and videos, and then act as biologists making recommendations to the government on fishing permits. In completing the activity, students will:

• Construct an explanation for the patterns of interactions observed in different ecosystems in terms of the relationships among and between organisms and abiotic components of the ecosystem,

• Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for how resource availability, disease, climate and human activity affect individual organisms, populations, communities and ecosystems.

The activity is divided into four sections that last five class periods. The prep guide includes materials needed, planning, key questions and concepts, and grading opportunities for each section of the activity. The resource includes the following:

• An 24-page curriculum booklet with an annotated teacher's version
• A 6-page teacher's prep guide
• Materials list and prep guide
• Supply checklist
• Labels for canisters
• Answer keys
• A 5-page student worksheet packet
• Coral Reef Survey Sorting Sheet for students
• A 4-page student procedures sheet
• Two videos providing background around coral reefs