Virtual Field Trip to the Great Barrier Reef

Standard 5.6

c) ecological characteristics

• Design an investigation (including models and simulations) related to ecological relationships of the ocean environmnet.
• As the depth of the ocean water increases, the temperature decreases, the pressure increases, and the amount of light decreases. These factors influence the type of life forms that are present at a given depth

The Catlin Seaview Survey is an effort to study and provide panoramic images of various locations along the Great Barrier Reef off of Austrailia. The website provides essential information, at an academic level accessible to students in upper elementary and beyond, relevant to studying the oceans and coral reefs. The site is easily navigable for young students and includes posts from the ongoing expedition and virtual dives of several locations along the Great Barrier Reef.

Essential questions answered throughout the website include,

• Why are the oceans and coral reefs important?
• Why are scientists interested in studying the ocean and coral reefs?
• What types of technology are used by the Catlin Seaview Survey team to capture images for study?

Image taken from: http://www.catlinseaviewsurvey.com/site/panedia/heron-island

Click to view Virtual Dives of the Great Barrier Reef from the Catlin Seaview Survey.
Link/File Type: Website