Investigating Coral Bleaching

---

Description

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Found throughout tropical regions, they support an estimated 500 million people (one in every 15 people) in terms of food, livelihoods and other benefits.1 Even though coral reefs face numerous threats, rising temperatures associated with climate change is one of the greatest. In this module, students will use real data to investigate the consequences of rising ocean surface temperature on coral reefs. They will also consider the importance of coral reefs in their own lives.

Through the lessons in this module, designed for grades 6-12, students are guided through the use of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data (ocean surface temperature, coral bleaching hotspots, and accumulated heat stress) 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).

---

How to use this resource

Teachers can use this resource to engage students in real-world scientific investigation by analyzing NOAA data on ocean temperatures and coral bleaching. The module offers five levels of activities, from basic graph interpretation to independent data analysis, allowing differentiation based on student ability. Through guided inquiry, students explore the ecological and human significance of coral reefs, develop data literacy skills, and critically assess climate change impacts. Teachers can integrate these lessons into science, geography, or environmental studies curricula, fostering hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving while encouraging students to consider their own connection to marine ecosystems.

---

The resources

The resources and tools can be found here:

• Investigating Coral Bleaching: For Teachers

---

Learning Outcomes

• Elicit prior knowledge and further develop knowledge and comprehension of key Sustainability Citizenship key concepts, challenging established worldviews and values.
• Apply a range of suitable tools and frameworks to promote student Sustainability Citizenship
• Reflect on practice and examine national curricula to identify opportunities to promote Sustainability Citizenship in interdisciplinary ways and engage with external stakeholders.
• Collaboratively synthesise the knowledge, tools and frameworks to create educational materials and lessons plans adapted to their own local context
• Develop and apply assessment criteria to evaluate Sustainability Citizenship in students.

---

Green Competencies

• Embodying Sustainable Values: Valuing Sustainability; Promoting Nature
• Embracing Complexity in Sustainability: Systems Thinking; Critical Thinking; Problem Framing
• Envisioning Sustainable Futures: Futures Literacy; Adaptability; Exploratory Thinking
• Acting for Sustainability: Collective Action

---

Creative Commons

This curriculum module was originally developed for the NOAA Ocean Data Education (NODE) Project. This 4th edition (2024) was completed under contract by Amy Dean. Data in the Classroom is a collaboration of many NOAA programs and offices including: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NDIS), National tuarine Research Reserve System, National Oceanographic Data Center and the Office of National Marine

Sanctuaries.

Permission is hereby granted for the reproduction of these lessons without alteration and on the condition that the acknowledgment above is cited.

---

SDGs