Although the outbreak and spread of the global pandemic, COVID-19, has taken up most (if not all) of the news and media coverage right now marine conservation is no less important or prevalent. We will continue to bring you news and updates about the state of coral reefs and any new initiatives. On that note, we ask as well that if you have something you believe we should feature.
We have decided to put together a list of coral reef/marine-related activities and learning resources for both adults and children.
Educational
Monagbay is bringing ecology lessons to the masses, for kindergarteners, and grades 1 to 5.
Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation has released a coral reef ecology curriculum that is suitable for middle and high school age students.
The Ocean Agency has teamed up with Google to share ocean education resources, they’re available on iPhone and iPad simply download the Google Earth app and start learning.
NOAA has released an activity book for educators and students that is free to download, alternatively, the individual activities can be downloaded separately.
Online STEM Show each weekday they have a 20-minute presentation by a scientist or STEM expert, followed by questions for 5-12 year olds.
CORAL and partners have developed this “Train the Trainers” presentation for tour guide operators in the Mesoamerican Reef to more effectively educate tourists about coral reefs and how to protect them.
Central Caribbean Marine Institute has launched an online reef course called “Reefs go Live” for students in grades 5 and 6.
Virtual reality
The Guardian has put together the 10 best virtual ocean adventures, including swimming with sharks and dolphins.
Tour the Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough himself, using a multi-sensory online tool, you can explore the undersea landscape and learn about it via video.
Games and fun
Wise Oceans has a host of fun marine-related activities, from word searches to printable colouring pages and online jigsaw puzzles.
The Skimmer has collated 29 different games about coastal and marine conservation, management and adaptation for a variety of age groups and language needs.
Take the daily Earth Day Challenge a 22-day series that will allow people to connect through challenges to take action right now, and every day, for our planet.
Films and documentaries
The Reef-World Foundation has listed its 9 favourite conservation movies and tv shows.
Chasing Coral from The Ocean Agency. Filmed over three years, with 500+ hours underwater, includes footage from over 30 countries, and was made with the support of over 500 people around the world.
National Geographic Coral Reefs 101. Learn all about coral and why warming waters threaten the future of the reef ecosystem.
Exploring the Coral Reef is an educational video for children to learn about what coral is made of, where the sand on the beach comes from and why don’t clownfish get stung when they go in the sea anemone.
Apps
Coral Reef by Tinybop. Help children aged 4 and above learn about ocean ecosystems by playing a fun interactive game.
NeMO-Net by NASA invites video gamers and citizen scientists to embark on virtual ocean research expeditions to help map coral reefs around the world in an effort to better understand these threatened ecosystems.
The 2018 International Year of the Reef website has a host of further resources including games, films and teaching materials
