Corals Unit Labs

• This unit consists of six labs centering on the anatomy of coral, the importance of coral reefs, and the necessary ocean conditions for coral health.
• Students will learn how climate change and other human activities put coral reefs at risk. 

Positives

• This in-depth unit on corals spans a number of scientific topics and includes hands-on activities and interactive digital components.
• The "Lab Overviews" section identifies all of the materials needed for the activities and provides a quick scope and sequence of the unit.

Additional Prerequisites

• Lab 2 contains an activity in which students examine a live hydra. Teachers may wish to modify the portion of the activity that requires a hydra in the classroom.
• Lab 3 requires a number of materials for the hands-on activity.
  
• The links to the NOAA articles for Lab 3 do not work. 

Differentiation

• High-ability students could complete many lab sections independently and use the self assessments within the labs to check their understanding.
• Science classes can use one or more of these labs when learning about acids and bases, ecosystems, symbiotic relationships, biodiversity, homeostasis, and chemical reactions.
• Assist students with learning differences by pre-teaching vocabulary and main ideas before beginning the labs.