Chapter 24, Student Web Activities, Our World Today: People, Places, and Issues, Texas Edition, Glencoe, 2003

Social Studies, The American Republic Since 1877

Chapter 24: Australia and New Zealand
"The Great Barrier Reef"

Introduction
In this chapter you have read about the "Land Down Under," Australia. In addition to unusual animals, friendly people, and dangerous crocodiles, Australia has the Great Barrier Reef. Every year thousands of visitors snorkel or scuba dive around the Reef to enjoy an underwater view of one of nature's most incredible creations.

Destination Title: Great Barrier Reef

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Directions
Start at National Geographic's Great Barrier Reef Web site.

Read the introduction and then click on Dive Now.
Scroll over the images and explore the information that appears. Use the arrows to move from the "Deep Sea" to the "Shoreline."
Use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1. Where is the Great Barrier Reef located?

2. What is coral bleaching? What causes it?

3. How quickly does a coral reef grow?

4. In what ways do humans threaten the Great Barrier Reef?

5. Using information from this Web site as well as other Internet and library sources, create a display (bulletin board, poster, mobile, model, shadow box, etc.) on the Great Barrier Reef. As part of your display, explain how the Reef is being damaged and ways the Reef can be protected.