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Investigating Coral Bleaching: Teacher Resources

Through the lessons in this module, designed for grades 6-12, students are guided through the use of NOAA data (sea surface temperature and SST anomalies, coral bleaching hotspots, and degree heating weeks) to understand how scientists monitor coral bleaching events in order to determine what is happening to the health of coral reefs in the world's oceans. The module offers lessons at five different levels, beginning with basic graph interpretation (Levels 1 & 2) and building towards activities that challenge students to ask questions and develop their own data investigations (Levels 4 & 5).    

Image of the coral reef

 

Module Resources

Teachers Guide
This guide provides educators with lesson plans, background information and tips and strategies for using the data tools in the module.
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Video Tutorial
This eight-minute video provides educators with an overview of both the content and data tools in the module.
View Video
Student Worksheets (PDF)
These worksheets support the online lessons. Fillable PDFs are digital documents that students can type in and submit to a learning management system.
Fillable PDF
Student Worksheets (PPT)
Worksheets in this format give educators flexibility to add (or edit) content for a specific grade level or course.
Editable PPT
Worksheet Answer Keys
Answer keys are available for checking and reviewing answers with students.
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Science Standards
A guide to understanding how this module supports the NGSS and three dimensional learning for middle and high school students.
Read NGSS Connections
Module Integration
There are many ways to integrate some or all of the lessons in this module into a unit or course. One example, aimed at middle school teachers, is provided here.
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