Curriculum links

• Insight into the work of a marine scientist
• Explore how human activity is affecting the reef
• Understand how changes in the environment can harm individual organisms and cause entire species to go extinct

Preparation

If you have never joined a live lesson before, see the guidance hub, where you will find technical and educational support.

Live lessons work best when students have some prior knowledge and have prepared questions. You can select from any of the STEAM activities in the Coral Oceans collection or teach a one-off Coral Live prep lesson.

Questions generated by your class can be submitted via the Encounter Live tab in your Encounter Edu profile.

This lesson is based around the Ocean acidification in a cup and Dissolving 'coral' in vinegar activities and if your students are following live, you will need to gather these activity resources in advance.

Session steps

1. Introduction (5 mins)
Jamie will open the session with a welcome and brief introduction to the expedition.

2. Subject knowledge (10 mins)
Jamie will ask Dr Rene van der Zande about how human activity is harming coral reefs and introduce students to some of the threats to the coral reef including coral bleaching, ocean acidification and coastal developments.

3. Activity time (15 mins)
Jamie will begin demonstrating the two activities, Ocean acidification in a cup and Dissolving coral in vinegar. Students can follow along in real-time. During this time, you can submit your students’ questions via the Live chat.

4. Q&A and conclusion (15 mins)
After completing the activity Jamie will answer some of the questions students have submitted before suggesting other Coral Live activities you might like to try.