Coral Health Atlas – University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
The Coral Health Atlas is a collaborative effort based at UH Hilo that provides rich data on coral health, primarily around Hawai‘i Island and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The interactive map allows you to explore images, coral health data, panoramic videos, and 3D reef models for a number of sites. The site also provides an overview of research methods used to study coral and general information about coral health. Are you interested in incorporating coral health into your classroom teaching and learning? Here are some possible connections! (Note that while these data have not been updated particularly recently, they can still be used as a basis for discussion and learning with students.)
Can different organisms living in the same changing environment have different responses (3-LS4-3; HS-LS4-5)? Use the interactive map to look at the reef data and panoramic video at one site or multiple sites. Use this information to compare how different organisms, specifically different species of coral, respond to different stressors in the environment. For example, at the Kailua Kona site, select “Disease” and “Bleaching” to see the differences in bleaching between species. See if you can spot visual differences in the 360 Pano Video.
How do scientists use different methods to monitor coral health (5-ESS3-1; MS-ESS3-3)? Read about the different methodologies that scientists use to conduct coral health research. Use this information to understand how coral health is monitored in order to inform solutions for minimizing human impact on the environment.
How do changes in the ecosystem affect coral function and reproduction in Hawai‘i (MS-LS1-5; MS-LS2-4)? Learn more about coral health and use this information to support explanations of how environmental factors affect organism growth and coral populations.
Related lesson resources If standards are not noted, the lesson may not be fully aligned to NGSS and may need to be adapted.
Innovation or Extinction GRC Lesson (HS-LS2-7)
Sea-seriously, Saving the Reef Can Save Us All! GRC Lesson (HS-LS4-6)
C-MORE Marine Mystery Kit (Grades 3–8)
Coral Bleaching Kit (Grades 3–12)
Corals – Exploring Our Fluid Earth (Grades 6–12)
Kinder Corals – PRISM (Grade K)
Hawai‘i’s Coral Reefs – PRISM (Grade 4)
The Coral Checkup Lesson Series – NOAA Papahānaumokuākea (Grades 3–10)
These resources can be used to support standards-based teaching and learning. They are not lesson plans and are not intended to meet the full scope of any given standard. Only some standards are highlighted; the resources developed by UH may be connected to many more standards! We encourage you to explore and to let us know if you have any questions!