Project: Saving Nemo

Abstract:  Project Saving Nemo

Ninety percent of the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean have already died, and ecologists state that all coral reefs will be wiped out within the next century, if reef destruction continues at its current rate (Utrecht Faculty of Education).  If we do not take action soon, we will lose one of the most precious natural beauties of the world. Coral reefs are one of the most important resources.  They not only provide us with food, protection from surging storms, and entertainment, but also contribute to the biological and economic success of marine communities.   In order to better this dreadful situation, we hope to educate the public through teaching our students about the importance and necessity of coral reefs. 

During our six week project, we plan to give the students as much exposure and educate them about the preservation and importance of coral reefs as possible through various activities including a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium to witness the beauty and learn about the importance of coral reefs, having a discussion in which students will debate about different issues about the conservation and preservation of coral reefs, and hosting a fundraiser for a local coral reef organization.  At the end of the project, the students will give presentation sharing their ideas about preserving the coral reefs.  Through these activities and many more, we hope to educate our students and eventually the public about the global importance of coral reefs and the great need to preserve the reefs.  

Grant Rationale:  Project Saving Nemo

         You have probably seen the movie Finding Nemo by now, but did you recognize the beautiful structures in the background?  ÒCoral reefs,Ó as President Clinton said, Òare beautiful, but more than that, they are home to thousands of species of fish and wildlife found nowhere else on earth.Ó  Furthermore, coral reefs contribute to the biological and economic success of marine communities.  They guard coastlines against storms, harbor organisms used in medications, and provide tourism income as places for people to snorkel and explore a unique ecosystem of the ocean.

Unfortunately, however, coral reefs are being destroyed at a very rapid rate.  Ninety percent of the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean have already died, and ecologists state that all coral reefs will be wiped out within the next century, if reef destruction continues at its current rate (Utrecht Faculty of Education).  Over-fishing, water pollution, and dynamite number among the threats to coral reefsÕ survival.   

The fate of the worldÕs coral reefs lies in the hands of todayÕs high school students.  Our goal is for teens to recognize the value of coral reefs and henceforth strive to preserve and protect them.  Through our proposed six-week lesson, we hope to give students as much exposure to coral reefs and preservation methods as possible.  Planned activities include: a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium to see a live coral reef display, holding a debate among the students about the proÕs and conÕs of different coral reef conservation methods, writing letters to state representatives to support coral reef conservation projects, and hosting a fund-raiser to support the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve. 

As teachers, we believe that students will make wise decisions for our future society only if they gain sufficient knowledge of and exposure to the issues at hand.  Our Coral Reef Preservation lesson will serve not only to inform teens about the benefits and importance of these beautiful living structures, it will also serve to encourage their participation in local, national, and global issues.

Budget Proposal for Project Saving Nemo

Activity/Item:	Expected Cost:	Matched Funding:
1. Trip to Dallas World Aquarium     - Gas     - Tickets	$100 $352 ($8/adult; 40 students, 4 teachers)	One-fourth provided by school ($113)
2. Supplies for bake-sale and car-wash fundraiser to support the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve	$100- baking supplies $50- car-wash supplies	none
3. Stamps for letters to state representative	$14.08 (44 stamps)	none

Total Expected Cost: $616.08

Total Funding Requested of Toyota: $503.08

Project Description:  Project Saving Nemo

Coral reefs are disappearing at an alarming rate.  One way to help begin to solve this issue is to educate our students, who then in turn will share their knowledge with the rest of society.  Hopefully by educating our students and eventually other people, we can all help save the coral reefs by reducing pollution, recycling, and stop over fishing.

In order to educate our students the best we can about the importance of coral reefs, we plan to take them on an educational tour of the Dallas aquarium.  There, they can actually witness the true diversity and utter importance the coral reefs have in our society.  The students will learn just how much diversity exists in the coral reefs as well as the economic and environmental importance.  Coral reefs not only provide fish for us to eat, but also coral for jewelry and protect cities by breaking up destructive waves that could potentially drown their city. 

During our six-week lesson on coral reefs, we plan to teach the students about ecology with a focus on conservation.  In the first week, the students will learn the importance of ecosystems and will be able to explain why coral reefs are considered to be an ecosystem.  In the next week, the students will learn about the organisms that live in the coral reefs including plankton, which are organisms that cannot move against a current, and the different fish.  Also we will discuss the interdependence between all the animals and why it is important to keep our coral reefs healthy.  During the third week, we will introduce coral reefs and discuss why coral reefs are dying out and ways they can help reduce the chances of all coral reefs being destroyed.  Then for the last two weeks, the students will research on coral reefs and come up with a way to conserve them.  They will research on the importance of coral reefs and why they are considered endangered.  Also, we will take a class trip to the Dallas World Aquarium to see the coral reef habitat and witness the interdependence of species and the importance of the reefs.  In addition, we will have the students raise funds for a charitable coral reef organization by having a bake sale or car wash.  In the last week, the students will present their projects to local coral reef organizations and the best project will have their conservation method put to use. 

Hopefully by the end of the six week period, the students will have gained an appreciation of coral reefs and gain and will have increased their knowledge about the importance of the coral reefs and seriousness of this global problem.  Then they will be able to go out and inform the public.  Through this, not only will the students be knowledgeable about this subject, but the public will be too.