FOR TEACHERS
Resources for Marine Science Educators
FOR TEACHERS
Resources for Marine Science Educators
For Teachers
Resources for Marine Science Educators
Are you a teacher looking for educational resources? You’ve come to the right place! The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation offers a diverse collection of educational tools and resources to help teachers incorporate marine science into their classrooms.
From immersive virtual field trips to hands-on lesson plans and engaging videos, these tools help educators teach students about broad scientific topics through the lens of marine ecosystems. Our resources align with U.S. Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Ocean Literacy Principles, and U.S. Common Core State Standards (CCSS), ensuring they meet the needs of today’s science classrooms while fostering the next generation of environmental leaders.
Though our lessons are tailored for middle and high school students, they can be easily adapted for younger or older learners. They are also designed to integrate seamlessly across subjects such as biology, art, English, and math. Explore our growing collection of lesson plans and start bringing the wonders of the ocean to your classroom today!
Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum
An Interactive Resource for Learning About Coral Reefs
Our award-winning Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum offers 14 comprehensive units covering coral reef biology, reef zonation, food webs, conservation, and more. Designed for high school students but adaptable for all ages, this interactive curriculum includes videos, quizzes, and activities that make marine science fun and engaging. Our curriculum can be taught as a complete course or customized to fit your teaching needs. Educators can access the full suite of lesson plans and accompanying resources by registering as teachers on our Education Portal.
Student Activities
International Student Art Contest
Our annual Science Without Borders® Challenge combines art and education, encouraging students aged 11-19 to express their creativity while exploring marine science and conservation topics. This global contest provides an excellent opportunity to incorporate STEAM education into your classroom, helping students engage with and understand important ocean issues in an innovative way. Open to primary and secondary school students, the contest awards scholarships of up to $500 to the top entries. Explore this year’s theme and inspire your students to participate!
Reefs at Risk Activity and Coloring Book
Perfect for younger students, our Reefs and Risk Activity and Coloring Book series helps students learn about coral reefs and the threats they face through interactive activities, thought-provoking questions, and coloring pages. It’s ideal for sparking curiosity and critical thinking about marine ecosystems. The first book in the series covers coral bleaching and is free to download in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish.
Virtual Reality Field Trips
Explore coral reefs like never before with our immersive VR Field Trips. Created in collaboration with the University of Miami, this VR experience focuses on coral reef geology and structure, offering students a dynamic way to connect with marine science from any location.
Lesson Plans
Helping Teachers Incorporate Marine Science Into The Classroom
Dive into our diverse range of lesson plans designed to teach essential STEAM concepts through the wonders of marine life. From classification and cell division to ecosystem dynamics and conservation, our resources make science engaging and relevant for students. In addition to the lesson plans included in our comprehensive Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum, we offer additional guides tailored to specific themes and educational goals.
Ocean Odyssey Educator’s Guide
Created in partnership with K2 Studios, the Ocean Odyssey Educator’s Guide helps students explore the IMAX film Ocean Odyssey. Narrated by the legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, the film takes viewers on a spectacular 3D underwater journey and transports viewers deep into the blue heart of our planet—our oceans. The free guide contains lesson plans, worksheets, and grading rubrics that teachers can use in their classes either in conjunction with the film or independently. These activities provide a way for students to delve into important educational and conservation topics in the film, while aligning with the science standards teachers need to meet.
The Ocean Odyssey Educator’s Guide helps students explore the IMAX film Ocean Odyssey. Narrated by the legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, the film takes viewers on a spectacular 3D underwater journey and transports viewers deep into the blue heart of our planet—our oceans. The free guide contains lesson plans, worksheets, and grading rubrics that teachers can use in their classes, helping students delve into the topics covered in the film.
Mangrove Detectives
Engage students in citizen science by exploring mangrove ecosystems. Our Mangrove Detectives program teaches students about mangrove forests while helping scientists identify mangrove diseases and insect communities. By coupling field and lab activities with online tools, students receive a multi-faceted educational experience while contributing to science.
Ecosystems of The Bahamas
Created by our Bahamian partners at FRIENDS of the Environment, this guide explores ecosystems found in The Bahamas, highlighting key species, conservation measures, and more. It includes several lesson plans on mangrove forests developed by the Living Oceans Foundation.
Video Library
Bringing Marine Science to Life!
Our educational videos and documentary films bring marine science to life with engaging content that complements classroom instruction. These videos teach students about our ocean, coral reefs, and marine science in a way that is both entertaining and informative. They can transport viewers to places they may never otherwise see, make complicated science easy to understand, and show people how they are connected to our underwater world.
Professional Development
Corals in the Classroom
Our professional development program, Corals in the Classroom, equips teachers with the knowledge and tools to effectively teach coral reef science. Workshops and resources help educators integrate these topics into their existing curricula while inspiring ocean stewardship. If you’re interested in bringing this program to your school or organization, please contact us. This program is currently available for a fee, and we’d be happy to provide more details upon inquiry.
Coming Soon!
We’re constantly innovating and expanding our educational offerings. Here’s a sneak peek at the lesson plans and educational resources that are currently under development:
Protist Prophets
Little Creatures with a Big Message
Discover the fascinating world of foraminifera and what they have to say about the health of coral reefs. With these lesson plans, students will analyze real-world data to enhance math and science skills while learning about the long-term health of coral reefs through these tiny marine organisms.
Impact of the Pandemic on Wildlife
Explore the unexpected effects of COVID-19 on marine life. These lessons focus on noise pollution reduction during the pandemic and its implications for marine ecosystems, offering students real-world insights into conservation challenges.
Stay Connected
Sign up for our education newsletter to stay updated on new resources, programs, and opportunities. Whether you’re looking for innovative ways to teach STEAM concepts or aiming to inspire the next generation of ocean stewards, our resources provide the perfect foundation.