Exploring Ocean Frontiers: Deep-Sea Corals, Real-Life Data, and Collaborative Science

NOAA Planet Stewards is pleased to welcome Dr. Heather Coleman, coordinator of NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research & Technology Program; Eva Barnett, Outreach Manager for Green Fire Productions; and curriculum developers Jennifer Buffett and Sarah Lockman as our featured speakers this month.

Deep-sea corals and sponges support complex and productive ecosystems but are still largely undiscovered. These animals can live for hundreds or even thousands of years. They can grow to the size of a minivan or in reefs up to 300 feet off the seafloor. They support commercially valuable fish habitat in every region of the U.S. and hold great biomedical potential.

NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program coordinates research on deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems building our limited understanding of where and how they exist. New species are identified every year, and researchers are constantly learning about processes such as coral growth and recovery from damage.

This presentation will cover recent advances in the science and protection of deep-sea corals, and introduce newly released lessons and activities that build understanding of these hidden ecosystems and other crucial ocean topics.

The Exploring Ocean Frontiers Resources accompany the award-winning Ocean Frontiers film series, portraying how unlikely allies – government, industry, science and conservation – are working together to find solutions that benefit ocean ecosystems and economies. These new secondary lessons and post-secondary discussion guides are inquiry-based, NGSS-connected and full of engaging activities designed to facilitate classroom explorations into ocean planning and stewardship, collaborative science, marine biodiversity, ocean data portals and stakeholder engagement. The materials are available to teachers at no cost.