Coral Reef Rescue: An Interactive Exhibit
Created byHrishi Vora
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Coral Reef Rescue: An Interactive Exhibit

Grade 9Biology3 days
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we create an interactive museum exhibit to educate the public about the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs and inspire action to protect these vital ecosystems?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does ocean acidification affect coral reefs?
  • What are the broader consequences of coral reef decline?
  • What actions can individuals and communities take to mitigate ocean acidification and protect coral reefs?
  • How can we design an interactive museum exhibit to effectively communicate the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to explain the process of ocean acidification and its effects on coral reefs.
  • Students will be able to describe the broader ecological and economic consequences of coral reef decline.
  • Students will be able to identify individual and community actions to mitigate ocean acidification and protect coral reefs.
  • Students will be able to design and create an interactive museum exhibit using various media and technologies to effectively communicate complex scientific information to a public audience.

Teacher-Provided Standard

teacher-provided
Primary
Create an interactive exhibit to educate others about the effects of climate change.Reason: This standard directly aligns with the project's goal of creating an interactive museum exhibit focused on the impact of ocean acidification, a consequence of climate change, on coral reefs.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Message From the Future

A mysterious message in a bottle washes ashore near a vibrant coral reef, containing a desperate plea for help from the future. The message warns of a catastrophic event that has decimated the world's coral reefs due to unchecked ocean acidification.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Ocean Acidification Investigation

Students will delve into the science behind ocean acidification, exploring the chemical reactions and biological impacts on coral reefs.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research and gather information about the chemical processes involved in ocean acidification.
2. Investigate the specific ways in which increased acidity harms coral reefs, including coral bleaching and reduced skeletal growth.
3. Compile findings into a comprehensive scientific report with clear explanations, diagrams, and supporting evidence.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed scientific report explaining the process of ocean acidification and its detrimental effects on coral health, structure, and biodiversity.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to explain the process of ocean acidification and its effects on coral reefs, which directly addresses the standard of educating others about the effects of climate change.
Activity 2

Coral Reef Ecosystem Impact Analysis

Students will broaden their understanding of coral reef ecosystems and analyze the far-reaching impacts of their decline.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research the biodiversity supported by coral reefs and the ecological roles they play.
2. Investigate the economic impacts of coral reef loss on industries such as tourism and fishing.
3. Create a visual presentation, such as a slideshow or infographic, summarizing the ecological and economic consequences of coral reef decline.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA visual presentation illustrating the interconnectedness of coral reefs within the marine ecosystem and the economic consequences of their decline.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to describe the broader ecological and economic consequences of coral reef decline, contributing to the understanding of climate change effects.
Activity 3

Coral Reef Rescue Action Plan

Students will explore practical solutions and advocacy strategies to address the issue of ocean acidification and coral reef protection.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research various mitigation strategies, including reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and supporting coral reef restoration projects.
2. Identify specific actions that individuals and communities can take to contribute to these efforts.
3. Develop a comprehensive action plan outlining these steps, including clear goals, timelines, and resources.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn action plan outlining specific steps individuals and communities can take to mitigate ocean acidification and support coral reef conservation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to identify individual and community actions to mitigate ocean acidification and protect coral reefs, addressing the educational aspect of the standard.
Activity 4

Interactive Museum Exhibit Design and Creation

Students will bring their learning together to design and create an interactive museum exhibit.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Use the knowledge and resources gathered throughout the project to develop the content and layout of the exhibit.
2. Incorporate interactive elements, visuals, and multimedia to engage visitors and effectively communicate complex scientific information.
3. Construct a prototype of the exhibit using readily available materials.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA fully realized interactive museum exhibit prototype showcasing the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs and inspiring action for their protection.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsStudents will be able to design and create an interactive museum exhibit using various media and technologies to effectively communicate complex scientific information to a public audience, fulfilling the core requirement of the standard.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Coral Reef Exhibit Project Rubric

Category 1

Scientific Understanding and Communication

Assessment of students' understanding of ocean acidification and its effects on coral reefs, and the clarity of their communication in presenting scientific information.
Criterion 1

Knowledge of Ocean Acidification

Evaluation of students' understanding of the chemical processes of ocean acidification and its impact on coral reefs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of ocean acidification processes and their impacts on coral reefs, with detailed explanations and evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Illustrates a thorough understanding of ocean acidification impacts on coral reefs with appropriate explanations and evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding of ocean acidification processes and their effects on coral reefs with some detail and evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to explain ocean acidification processes and their effects on coral reefs with minimal evidence.

Criterion 2

Clarity of Scientific Communication

Assessment of students' ability to clearly communicate complex scientific concepts related to coral reefs and ocean acidification.

Exemplary
4 Points

Communicates complex scientific concepts with exceptional clarity and detail, using appropriate scientific language and supporting visuals.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively communicates scientific concepts with clarity, using appropriate language and visuals.

Developing
2 Points

Communicates scientific concepts with some clarity, but with incomplete or unclear language and visuals.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to communicate scientific concepts clearly, with unclear language and inadequate visuals.

Category 2

Ecological and Economic Impact Analysis

Evaluation of students' ability to analyze and present the broader ecological and economic impacts of coral reef decline.
Criterion 1

Analysis of Ecological Impacts

Assessment of students' understanding and analysis of the ecological roles and consequences of coral reef decline.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an in-depth analysis of the ecological roles of coral reefs and extensive consequences of their decline, with robust evidence.

Proficient
3 Points

Offers a thorough analysis of the ecological roles and consequences of coral reef decline, with appropriate evidence.

Developing
2 Points

Presents a basic analysis of the ecological impact of coral reef decline with limited evidence.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to provide a clear analysis of the ecological roles and consequences of coral reef decline with minimal evidence.

Criterion 2

Economic Impact Understanding

Evaluation of students' understanding of the economic consequences of coral reef decline.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the economic impacts of coral reef decline on various industries, with detailed examples.

Proficient
3 Points

Illustrates thorough understanding of economic impacts with relevant examples.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding of economic impacts with some examples.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to articulate economic impacts with minimal or no examples.

Category 3

Mitigation Strategies and Action Plan

Assessment of students' ability to develop actionable strategies and plans for coral reef conservation.
Criterion 1

Creativity and Feasibility of Strategies

Evaluation of the innovativeness and practicality of proposed conservation strategies for coral reefs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Proposes creative and highly feasible conservation strategies with clear goals, timelines, and resources.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops feasible and appropriate conservation strategies with goals and timelines.

Developing
2 Points

Suggests basic conservation strategies with limited feasibility.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to propose practical conservation strategies with unclear elements.

Criterion 2

Action Plan Implementation

Assessment of the practicality and clarity of the developed action plan for implementing conservation strategies.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops a comprehensive and well-organized action plan for conservation with clear implementation steps and resources.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates an organized action plan with clear steps and necessary resources.

Developing
2 Points

Develops a basic action plan with limited clarity and resources.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to develop a clear action plan with minimal resources and unclear steps.

Category 4

Exhibit Design and Engagement

Evaluation of students' ability to design and create an engaging and informative interactive exhibit.
Criterion 1

Engagement and Interactivity of Exhibit

Assessment of how well the exhibit engages visitors through interactive elements and multimedia.

Exemplary
4 Points

Creates a highly engaging and interactive exhibit with innovative multimedia elements that capture visitors' attention.

Proficient
3 Points

Develops an engaging exhibit with effective interactive and multimedia elements.

Developing
2 Points

Designs a basic exhibit with some interactive components.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to create an engaging exhibit with minimal interactivity.

Criterion 2

Overall Exhibit Design and Quality

Evaluation of the overall quality and design of the final interactive museum exhibit.

Exemplary
4 Points

Produces a professionally designed and high-quality exhibit that effectively communicates its message.

Proficient
3 Points

Produces a well-designed and high-quality exhibit that communicates its message clearly.

Developing
2 Points

Designs an exhibit with basic quality and satisfactory communication.

Beginning
1 Points

Produces a poorly designed exhibit with unclear communication.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on the entire learning journey of this project. What were your key takeaways regarding the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs?

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Question 2

How effective do you believe your interactive museum exhibit is in educating others about the impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs and inspiring action? What aspects of your exhibit are you most proud of, and why?

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Question 3

Throughout this project, you engaged in various activities, including research, analysis, design, and creation. How did these different activities contribute to your overall understanding of the issue and your ability to communicate it effectively to a public audience?

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Question 4

What challenges did you encounter during this project, and how did you overcome them?

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Question 5

If you were to continue working on this project, what further investigations or improvements would you pursue?

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Question 6

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you in your understanding of the causes, consequences, and potential solutions related to ocean acidification and its impact on coral reefs?

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