Battle Against Bleaching: Nurturing a Curiosity for Coral Reefs

Authors

• Julia Kruger, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Samuel Prevatt, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Tyler Callaghan, University of Central FloridaFollow
• Reese Hamlin, University of Central FloridaFollow

Streaming Media

Files

Course Code

BSC

Course Number

4310

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Linda Walters

Faculty/Instructor Email

linda.walters@ucf.edu

About the Author

Hi! We are all aspiring marine biologists! This project has allowed us to deepen our understanding of corals and effectively outreach to a local elementary school. We would like to thank Missy Jones and Winter Springs Elementary School for the opportunity to educate third and fourth grade students about the importance of coral conservation and restoration. We would also like to thank Dr. Walters and UCF for facilitating our service-learning experience.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

We visited Winter Springs Elementary School to teach students about coral bleaching. Our team wanted to share a topic we are passionate about while simultaneously inspiring others to care about corals. Our team visited one third grade class and a second group of third and fourth grade students. In total we engaged with 34 students!

Additional Resources

Activities

• Coral Slideshow: Included simplified information on corals and their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae (energy-producing algae). Discussed how threats to corals are causing bleaching (zooxanthellae leaving the coral).

• Coral Bleaching Demonstration: Acropora (endangered staghorn coral) model painted with blue thermochromic paint that bleaches (turns white) when put under hot water. Cool water returns the model back to its original color.

• Food web game: Students acted as various reef organisms and built a food web with string to illustrate how Zooxanthellae and corals play a fundamental role in the ecosystem.

• DIY Organ Pipe coral model: students learned about organ pipe coral while building a model using colorful clay and paper.

• Classroom poster: each student colored a paper Acropora coral and added it to a class poster to be hung up in the classroom.

Keywords

Corals; outreach; community engagement; service-learning; coral bleaching; zooxanthellae; elementary school

Recommended Citation

Kruger, Julia; Prevatt, Samuel; Callaghan, Tyler; and Hamlin, Reese, "Battle Against Bleaching: Nurturing a Curiosity for Coral Reefs" (2023). High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2023. 71.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hip-2023fall/71