Invite Shedd experts to visit the classroom and, together with students, explore the complex relationships in our ocean’s coral reefs.
In this program, students will learn coral is an animal and better understand why coral is an important part of an ecosystem. This 50-minute, NGSS-aligned program will remove barriers for students to get hands-on with science as they practice engineering and design principles and delve into the organization of matter and energy flow in organisms. They will even get to see coral skeletons in person, perform a coral reef transect with quadrats and model the expulsion of algae with a high-tech, color-changing coral model.
Guided by Shedd Educators:
Our skilled educators lead this enriching experience. This is a great way for students to ask questions, record real-time data like our animal care teams, meet animals and expand their knowledge of our shared blue planet.
Shedd Aquarium offers two types of in-school programming — Learn with Animals and Environmental Science.
Our Coral Reef Relationships program falls under "Environmental Science." This NGSS-aligned program removes barriers for students to get hands-on with science as they practice engineering and design principles and delve into the organization of matter and energy flow in organisms.
NGSS: K-LS1-1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes - All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow; K-2-ETS1-2: Engineering Design - Develop a simple sketch, drawing or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.
Amplify: Grade 2 – Plant and Animal Relationships
Grades 3-5
Key concepts: Corals, Structure and Function, Cause and Effect, Keystone Species, Biodiversity, Maintaining Healthy Ecosystems, Symbiotic Relationships
Skills: Analyze and Interpret Data
Standards:
NGSS: 5-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics - Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
Key concepts: Corals, Cause and Effect, Keystone Species, Biodiversity, Maintaining Healthy Ecosystems, Symbiotic Relationships
Skills: Analyze and Interpret Data
Standards:
NGSS: MS-LS2-1 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics - Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
Amplify: Grade 7 – Matter and Energy in Ecosystems, Grade 7 – Populations and Resources
Accessibility
The learning environment as part of this lesson/program may include the following sensory triggers: touch sensitivity and participants may get wet or dirty.
This program includes:
Use of tools like scissors, modeling clay, quadrats, etc.
Moving short distances
Moving and standing for up to one hour
Work taking place at standard tables with chairs
Sitting on the floor for activities
Viewing an AV presentation with videos and images
Facilitators’ use of portable voice amplification
We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please submit that information during your program reservation. Please visit our accessibility page to learn more.
The contents of Environmental Science: Coral Reef Relationships was developed as part of the Shedd Pathways to Environmental Education Initiative under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government. One hundred percent ($540,932) of the total costs of the initiative from Aug. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024 are financed with federal money. We express appreciation for our Federal Congressionally Funded Community Project sponsor, House Representative Mike Quigley.
