Exploring the science of a coral reef and recreating a healthy ecosystem

The Smithsonian’s Secrets of the Sea invites students to explore coral reefs in an online 3D interactive and through other classroom-ready activities. Secrets of the Sea makes the effects of climate change on our oceans meaningful, relevant, and accessible to your students. Whether users are aspiring marine biologists, game enthusiasts, or educators looking for engaging science resources, they’ll be able to explore the vibrant world of a coral reef through videos, an online game, and hands-on activities. Students will be able to discover the connections between the tiniest plants and the largest hunters, and recreate a healthy and diverse ecosystem by finding living things and returning them to the coral reef.

The experience features the work of Dr. Nancy Knowlton, former Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and co-founder of the Earth Optimism movement. Dr. Knowlton’s approach to talking about climate change is to share stories of groups of people whose collective actions are making a positive change, instead of the “doom and gloom” that up to now hasn’t been working.