Resistance to coral bleaching

In this BioInteractive data analysis activity, learners investigate whether corals can become more resistant to bleaching caused by heat stress. Students interpret results from a real scientific experiment in which coral colonies (Acropora hyacinthus) were transplanted into environments with different levels of temperature variability and then exposed to heat stress, using chlorophyll retention as a measure of bleaching resistance. 

The educator guidance provides background context, a captioned figure, graph interpretation support and discussion questions, while the student handout focuses on analysing the data and evidence. 

© BioInteractive. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 

Lesson plans
KS4
Biology
Science

Preparation

What you need
  • The Biointeractive coral bleaching activity guides
Location

Indoors

Resources

Step by step

  1. Download the Biointeractive coral bleaching activity guides.
  2. Read the guidance for step by step instructions for each activity.