Distance Learning

Cold Water Coral

Grade Level:
Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
Subject:
Science


Dive deep into the cold, dark waters of Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve to
discover a colorful world of cold water corals! Through this distance learning
program, students will learn the differences between tropical corals and cold
water corals, how corals thrive in these dark waters, and the rich diversity of
life that coral ecosystems support. 
 

Format

  1. The ranger will introduce the fact that corals are living animals.
  2. Students will learn how corals can survive in the deep, dark waters of Glacier Bay.
  3. Students will observe a variety of creatures that live among the coral ecosystems.
  4. Using this information, the students and the ranger will discuss some of the threats to coral reefs and these cold water corals.

Objectives

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the characteristics of coral
  2. Identify three species of wildlife that live in these coral forests
  3. List two potential threats to coral reefs
  4. Understand how cold-water corals feed differently than warm-water corals

Standards Alignment

National Standards

National Standards Addressed
NS. 5-8.1 Science as Inquiry
NS. 5-8.3 Life Science
NS. 5-8.5 Science and Technology
NS. 5-8.6 Personal and Social Perspectives
NS. 5-8.7 History and Nature of Science

State Standards

Next Generation Science Standards
MS -LS2. Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS. Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
MS. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
MS. Natural Selection and Adaptations

How to Participate

Scheduling and Registration:

The Glacier Bay Education Team offers programs in January and February each year. Rangers start taking requests on December 1st and will process requests in the order in which they are received.

There are two ways to register:

Questions? Email us or call (907) 697-2573.

Tags: coral coral reef oceans

Last updated: February 19, 2026