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WHAT'S OUT THERE? - A CORAL CAMERA ACTIVITY Amy Pearson
PURPOSE: For students to view live action on the Bermuda Coral Reef,organize and learn about what they are observing.
AGE GROUP: Ages 8 and up, with adjustments made for age level.
CONCEPTS COVERED: Biodiversity, coral reef ecosystem, food web, food chain, taxonomy
RESOURCES NEEDED: General Biology text book, this web site, sections of fishes, invertebrates and other organisms found on the Bermuda reef.
PROCEDURE: Students may work individually or in groups no larger than 3. Data charts may be done by hand or produced using a spread sheet application!
1. CAMERA VIEWING:
View reef with coral camera. Watch for about 5 minutes. Computer should remain on for entire class period. If each group/student has own computer they should be permitted to reference other parts of the web site to identify organisms.
2. IDENTIFICATION ACTIVTIY:
List organisms on screen. This should reveal a great biodiversity of life forms.
3. CLASSIFICATION ACTIVITY:
Classify organism based on what taxonomic group they fall into. Construct a data chart and use class resources (biology textbook) to assist you.
example:
Organism Kingdom Phylum Class
Brain coral Animalia Cnidaria Anthozoa
4. TROPHIC RELATIONSHIP ACTIVITY:
Construct a data chart that shows what each organism eats. If possible, determine what eats that organism. This will enable students to produce food webs and food chains.
example:
Organism What it eats? What eats it?
Brain coral zooplankton Parrot fish
5. STRUCTURAL ADAPTATIONS:
Adding on to the above data chart, list any structural adaptations that help this organism eat or function in its niche.
6. ESSAY: Write a few sentences explaining the role of biodiversity in a coral reef ecosystem. Include an answer to : What are the implications of loss of some members of this ecosystem such as some corals or some fishes? |
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