The Great Barrier Reef
                                            
                                                                                               Scuba diver exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
                                                                                                                                     http://www.great-barrier-reef.biz/Images/100486.jpg
                                            

The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of north-east Australia in the Coral Sea.  It is home to thousands of different species and is the largest coral reef in the world.  This coral reef is thought to have begun growing over 18,000 years ago, although the oldest coral there now is only about 1,000 years old.  Over 2 million visitors travel to the Great Barrier Reef every year, and tomorrow you will also get to see this beautiful under water world. 

                                                                                                     Great Barrier Reef from above
                                                                                                                     http://www.johnnyjet.com/images/picfornewslettereefshotbig.jpg

Person snorkeling above the Great Barrier Reef
http://www.executiveretreats.com.au/images/listings/22_7.jpg

Your Challenge
Your teacher is always taking you on crazy, but exciting field trips.  You have orbited around the solar system, traveled back in time to see dinosaurs and now you are about to dive under the Coral Sea to explore the Great Barrier Reef.  Your flight to Australia leaves tomorrow morning, and from there you will sail off the coast and dive under water to the reef.  Before you leave though, you must find out some important information about this mysterious place.
Great Barrier Reef coral and fish
http://www.begriffswelt.de/img/great_barrier_reef.jpg

How big is the Great Barrier Reef?

          How many species of fish are there in the Great Barrier Reef?  Name three and give 2-3 facts about each.

  Are there any dangerous species that live in the Great Barrier Reef?  List one and give 2-3 facts about it.

Is coral a plant or an animal?  Draw a picture of some coral you find on your journey?
Sea turtle
http://blogs.cocoondev.org/crafterm/images/turtle.png




Your Journey

To complete your challenge, travel through these websites and explore the Great Barrier Reef

National Geographic
Click "Dive Now" and swim around the Great Barrier Reef.

Wikipedia
An on-line encyclopedia designed to help you discover the depths of the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Australia
Check out the tool bar on the top of this page to help discover what is within the Great Barrier Reef.

Ocean World
Great pictures and facts about coral reefs.


You may also want to try these search engines:

Yahoolagins

Ask Jeeves for Kids

Some helpful key words:
Great Barrier Reef
Coral reef fish
Coral
Coral Reefs
Coral found in the Great Barrier Reef
http://www.richard-seaman.com/Underwater/Australia/Coral/MushroomCoralColorful.jpg

Website designed by Amy Magna
UVM Inquiry Block
Fall 2006