Skip to main content
Toggle User Menu

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Español
  • Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • Classroom Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Steve Palumbi & Megan Morikawa Study Coral Reef Damage in American Samoa

Topic
  • Environmental Science
  • Conservation
  • Climate Change
  • Science Practices
  • Experimental Design
Resource Type
  • Videos
  • Scientists at Work
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Duration
00:07:01
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Favorited By
14 Users
Share This
View in Spanish
Description

This video describes the work of biologists Steve Palumbi and Megan Morikawa, who use field and controlled experiments to understand the mechanisms that allow some corals to tolerate a greater amount of heat stress than other corals.

Steve Palumbi has been researching corals around Ofu Island in American Samoa for years. In Ofu, some corals live in tide pools exposed to water temperatures that normally cause heat stress and can lead to coral bleaching and death. He is using transplantation and controlled laboratory experiments to study how adaptation and acclimation can contribute to resistance of these native corals. Along with graduate student Megan Morikawa, Palumbi is also testing whether heat-resistant corals can be transplanted to help restore damaged or destroyed reefs.

The accompanying “Student Worksheet” incorporates concepts and information from the video.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.  

Student Learning Targets
  • Examine research practices.
  • Develop scientific explanations and justify claims using evidence.
  • Explain the difference between acclimation and evolutionary adaptation.
     
Details
Estimated Time
One 50-minute class period to complete the associated handout.
Key Terms

acclimation, adaptation, bleaching, marine biology, oceanography, ocean warming, restoration

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

This resource and the accompanying documents comply with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 03.25.15
Date Updated 06.15.20
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1.C, HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2.C; SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

ENE-1.I, ENE-4.C, SYI-1.F, SYI-2.A; SP4, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

C.1

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.D

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

2.3, 7.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7, WHST.9-12.1 Math.N-Q.1,
Math.A-CED.1, Math.A-REI.3; MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC5; DP2

Materials
HD (M4V) 273 MB
HD (WMV) 218 MB
SD (M4V) 58 MB
SD (WMV) 56 MB
Transcript (PDF) 22 KB
Resource Google Folder (link)
Student Worksheet (PDF) 778 KB
Spanish Dub (MP4) 123 MB
Transcript - Español (PDF) 248 KB
Related Science News
Coral gardeners bring back Jamaica's reefs, piece by piece

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
Educator standing in front of a movie still. Play Video Next Slide Next Slide
/
1-Minute Tips
Coral Reef Scientists at Work
Jim Clark describes how he uses the Steve Palumbi and Megan Morikawa "Scientists at Work" short film to demonstrate to his students that science is not always performed indoors at a lab bench.
Previous Slide Next Slide
Close Modal

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About Coral
Showing of
3D animation of a bleached coral
Animations
Coral Bleaching
Coral in the process of being bleached.
Lessons
Coral Reefs and Global Warming
Data Points
Resistance to Coral Bleaching
Labs & Demos
Ocean Acidification
Photo of bleached coral
Interactive Videos
Interactive Exploration of Coral Bleaching
Other Related Resources
Showing of
Scientists at Work
Tagging Bumble Bees to Study Their Movements
Data Points
Resistance to Coral Bleaching
Click & Learn
WildCam Gorongosa
Click & Learn
WildCam Lab
Click & Learn
Survey Methods
Click & Learn
WildCam Darién
Photo of bee on a flower
Interactive Videos
Interactive Case Study for The Effects of Fungicides on Bumble Bee Colonies
3D animation of a bleached coral
Animations
Coral Bleaching
Scientists at Work
Liz Hadly Tracks the Impact of Climate Change in Yellowstone
Coral in the process of being bleached.
Lessons
Coral Reefs and Global Warming
This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists
Showing of
hhmi-card
Teaching an Online Introductory Biology Lab Using Evolution and Ecology Resources
20 Resources
By: BioInteractive

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy