Article
Science Daily

Science Daily: Algal Heat Damage and Coral Bleaching

For Students 9th - 10th
Article identifies elevated water temperature as a cause of coral bleaching due to loss of photosynthetic ability in symbiotic algae.
Handout
Regents of the University of Michigan

Animal Diversity Web: Cnidaria

For Students 9th - 10th
This site by Animal Diversity Web discusses the different body types and the similar characteristics of the animals in the phylum Cnidaria.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit

For Students 9th - 10th
Take an online tour of the Smithsonian's "Exploring Marine Ecosystems" exhibit. Learn about coral reefs and look behind the scenes as scientists maintain the model ecosystems.
Handout
Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium: Brain Coral

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource presents extensive information about brain coral, including diet, size, range, relatives, conservation, and cool facts.
Graphic
National Science Foundation

National Science Foundation: Fluorescent Coral

For Students 9th - 10th
Justin Marshall researches fish and invertebrate color vision, color communication, and visual ecology of coral reefs and other habitats. He photographed this fluorescent coral under fluorescent lighting conditions
Handout
A-Z Animals

A Z Animals: Animal Facts: Coral (Anthozoa)

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a brief description and images of coral with information on its habit, diet, and status as an endangered species.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Coral Reefs O Logy Card

For Students 3rd - 8th
By turning over this interactive OLogy card, you will find fast facts, questions and answers, and similar bite-size pieces of information designed to help you learn about coral reefs.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Gorgonian Fan Coral O Logy Card

For Students 3rd - 8th
Uncover fascinating facts about the gorgonian fan coral by flipping over this interactive OLogy card.
Handout
Jewelry Central

Jewelry Central: Gemstones

For Students 9th - 10th
This commercial site contains general information on various synthetic and natural gemstones and provides links to specific gems.
Activity
Read Works

Read Works: A Deep Sea Wonderland

For Teachers 2nd
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about scientists who are studying an inactive, underwater volcano in order to find ways to protect the sea creatures living there. A question sheet is available to help students...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Life Science: Cnidarians

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Cnidarians, in the phylum Cnidaria, include organisms such as the jellyfish and sea anemones. These animals are found in shallow ocean water. Learn more about...
Unit Plan
Other

Florida International University: Medina Aquarius Program

For Students 9th - 10th
The official site for an underwater ocean laboratory located near the Florida Keys. Information about the lab and its work, as well as ocean and coral reef info for teachers and students. Includes photos, lesson plans, and links to other...
Website
Other

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute: Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th
This page features a taxonomic list of the stony corals(with pictures) observed by the Coral Reef/ Hardbottom Monitoring Project in the Florida Key's National Marine Sanctuary. Site features a toolbar with the latest news in marine...
Handout
Tree of Life Project

Tree of Life: Cnidaria (Coelenterata)

For Students 9th - 10th
TThis site from the University of Arizona has a discussion of Cnidaria and their reproductive cycles and capabilities.
Activity
NOAA

Noaa: Coral Reef Watch: Satellite Coral Bleaching Monitoring

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a concise explanation of the bleaching process, its effect on corals, and the causes of bleaching.
Activity
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Did you know that coral is actually an animal? This site uncovers information on these sea creatures as well as provides links to other coral reef sites.
Handout
Biology 4 kids

Biology4 Kids: Anemone and Coral the Cnidarians

For Students 3rd - 7th
An overview of the Phylum Cnidaria highlights the general characteristics of these strange creatures from the Animal Kingdom.
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: Fisheries: Elkhorn Coral

For Students 9th - 10th
This interesting site examines the characteristics, distribution, and threats and concerns related to elkhorn coral.
Handout
NOAA

Noaa: Fisheries: Staghorn Coral

For Students 9th - 10th
Threats and Concerns, characteristics, and distribution are the topics examined in this informative coral site.
Handout
Other

Coexploration/life Cycle of Coral

For Students 3rd - 8th
You can see a video clip of the coral life cycle. There are a lot of links to the left of the page.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Under the Deep Blue Sea (Lesson Plan)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using language and resource skills to explore the ocean and the life within is what this lesson plan from EDSITEment is all about. The lesson is multi-level and resources and academic content standards are available.
Graphic
Curated OER

Science Kids: Science Images: Coral

For Students 9th - 10th
A beautiful photo of coral on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Corals are marine animals that play an important role in the formation of large reef sytems.