NOAA Live! Pacific Islands - Corals: Too Hot to Handle
Dr. Paulo Maurin, a program coordinator with Lynker Technologies at the NOAA National Ocean Service Office for Coastal Management, will show a 3D-printed coral polyp to demonstrate how corals feed and what happens when they bleach.
About
In warm water, the 3D printed coral polyp will mimic the loss of its algae within and turn white (become bleached).
Coral reefs are important because they protect coastlines from the damaging effects of storms. They also provide habitats for many marine creatures and hundreds of millions of dollars to the Hawai‘i economy each year. When the water gets hot and stays hot, corals can bleach, losing their symbiotic partnership with the tiny algae within them. Coral bleaching has become a significant threat to coral reef ecosystems in Hawai‘i and throughout the world. This interactive presentation will have several live demo experiments using a one-of-a-kind 3D printed coral polyp model. The experiments will examine how coral "bleaches" when exposed to warm water, the different ways corals feed, and how they can glow at night under ultraviolet light. We’ll conclude by taking a virtual dive to explore coral reefs underwater and show what you can do to be part of the solution to coral bleaching.
This webinar is targeted to students grades 2–6 but is suitable for all ages to enjoy.
Learn More
- 3D Printed Coral Model Brings Education to Life: Learn how you can print your own 3D coral polyp model.
- NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program: Check out the latest coral reef bleaching conditions worldwide.
- NOAA Data in the Classroom: Coral Bleaching: In-depth module for middle school students which culminates in designing their own scientific investigation.
- National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa Virtual Dive: Take a virtual dive and explore coral reefs in American Samoa.
- Coral Reef Citizen Science: The next time you go snorkeling or diving, get involved in monitoring the health and bleaching status of the coral reefs of Hawaiʻi.
- NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Education Resources
Find out about other Pacific Islands region webinars broadcasting live in May.