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CORAL CAM LESSON PLANS |
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WHAT IF THE REEF DIES? Gail Swenson |
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OBJECTIVE: This lesson will provide opportunities to model, using simple laboratory |
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AGE GROUP: Suitable for students ages 10 and beyond |
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BACKGROUND |
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Coral reefs are sensitive living structures found in warm marine waters around the world. Bermuda's reef is unique for it is the northern most latitude in which true coral formations are found. Several forces are acting on reefs and scientists are learning more about the contribution reefs make to the immediate ecosystem as well as to the larger biosphere. |
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ACTIVITY 1 |
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PURPOSE: How might sewage discharge affect a marine ecosystem? Powdered milk will |
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MATERIALS |
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Bakers yeast Powdered milk ( to represent the sewage) Bromthymol blue solution Timer (watch or clock) Thermometer Graduated cylinder (10, 25, or 50ml) Test tubes and rack Measuring spoons or gram balance |
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PROCEDURE |
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1. Place 3 test tubes in a rack, and label tubes 1 and 2 as "sewage", label # 3 as a Processing the results 1.Create a data table to display your results. |
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ACTIVITY 2 |
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PURPOSE: To learn how substances that dissolve in water can be changed into substances |
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MATERIALS |
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Lime water (make by mixing 5 grams of ordinary lime in 1 liter of water. Mix well and filter) Use the filtered solution. Cover tightly to store for the activity. |
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PROCEDURE |
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1.Place a small amount of limewater into a test tube or Erlenmeyer flask. 2.Place the soda straw into the limewater and slowly exhale for several breaths. 3.Observe what happens. Processing the results 1. Calcium ions are released when minerals, such as lime, dissolve in water. How is a calcium |
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ACTIVITY 3 Barrier to Erosion |
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Throughout the world barrier beaches and reefs protect shorelines from the ceaseless action of waves and storms. Bermuda's coral reefs nearly encircle the island and act to maintain the land area by absorbing the force of waves and by providing coral sands that accumulate along the shore. |
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PURPOSE: To demonstrate effects of wave action with and without a barrier reef |
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MATERIALS |
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Large, shallow tray (baking pan, plastic container) Sand Rocks Water Board to make the waves A coral reef (any solid structure that will be just below the water level) |
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PROCEDURE |
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1. Place the rocks and sand on one end of the tray to create the mainland area. Processing the results 1.Sketch the land before and after the wave action with the barrier beach in place. |
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ACTIVITY 4 |
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PURPOSE: To learn what happens to a coral reef when fish are removed from the habitat. |
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MATERIALS |
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Use the web site http://coexploration.org//bbsr/coral to research how these reef organisms obtain their nutrition: coral polyps, phyoplankton, zooplankton, parrot fishand algae. |
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Processing the results 1. Which organisms are in competition for living space on the reef? Explain your answer. Which organisms would have a growth in population and which would have a decline? Explain. Summarize the changes would occur in the Bermuda area if a coral reef died. Use this web site, http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov./kids.htm to learn about things you can do to save the reef. |
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© BBSR and TCOE Coral Web Site Team 1999 http://www.coexploration.org/bbsr/coral |