Turn your classroom into a marine science investigation lab.

In this Environmental Science Data Investigation, students analyze real-world style datasets to determine why corals in a reef ecosystem are turning white.

Through graphing, trend analysis, and structured evidence evaluation, students uncover the most likely cause of coral bleaching.

This is not a simple reading or worksheet

Students actively:

• Create graphs from multiple environmental datasets
• Analyze water temperature trends
• Evaluate pH changes and ocean acidification data
• Examine CO₂ levels and pollution runoff
• Compare reef sites from nearshore to open ocean
• Identify patterns and evaluate data reliability
• Construct a structured Claim–Evidence–Reasoning explanation
• Propose environmental solutions and follow-up monitoring plans

What Students Learn

Students explore and understand:

• How ocean warming stresses coral ecosystems
• How increased CO₂ leads to ocean acidification
• How pH changes affect coral skeleton formation
• The relationship between temperature, coral health, and bleaching
• How human activity influences marine ecosystems
• How environmental changes can be measured and monitored

This investigation connects climate change, ocean chemistry, and ecosystem stability in a meaningful, data-driven way.

What’s Included

• Complete Student Case File Packet
• Mission Briefing & Background Reading (coral-algae symbiosis, bleaching, acidification)
• Multiple Graph-Ready Datasets (temperature, pH, CO₂, sunlight, runoff)
• Trend Hunt & Data Quality Check Pages
• Checklist Interpretation Section
• Scaffolded Claim–Evidence–Reasoning Writing Pages
• Extension Activity (environmental solutions + follow-up investigation design)
• Teacher Answer Keys and Grading Rubric
• Glossary of Terms (Grade 5+ accessible language)
• Word + PDF formats

How Teachers Use This Bundle

• Climate change units
• Ocean science lessons
• Whole-class investigations
• Small group collaborative work
• Independent assessments
• Sub plans
• Review before tests
• Project-based learning units
• Environmental science electives

Each case can be completed in 1–2 class periods.

Why Teachers Love the Format

• Highly engaging without added classroom management stress
• Clear structure that supports all learners
• Strong alignment to NGSS Science & Engineering Practices
• Builds both science content and structured writing skills
• Flexible pacing for any schedule

You can find this activity inside my Environmental Science Data Analysis and Graphing Investigations Bundle which currently includes:

✔ The Fish Kill at Riverbend Creek

✔ The Algae Bloom at Lake Greenwood

✔ The Cloudy Reservoir Case

✔ The Dying Wetland Plants Investigation

✔ The Coral Reef Bleaching Case

Standards Alignment

Supports NGSS Science & Engineering Practices:

• Analyzing & Interpreting Data
• Constructing Explanations
• Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concepts:

• Cause & Effect
• Systems & System Models
• Stability & Change

Disciplinary Core Ideas:

• Human impacts on Earth systems
• Ecosystem dynamics

Climate and environmental change

Designed For

• 6th–9th Grade Environmental Science
• Earth Science
• Ecology Units
• Human Impact Lessons
• Climate & Sustainability Topics

Students don’t just read about environmental problems — they analyze the data, evaluate the evidence, and determine what actually happened.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at devon@teachwithfergy.com