For Teachers

A woman wearing a paper scuba mask over her face while standing in a tunnel through an aquarium with a bunch of other adults. A man to her right has a paper scuba mask pushed up on his forehead.
Teachers practice reef fish identification in an aquarium as part of a sanctuary workshop. (Image: FGBNMS/Drinnen)

Bring ocean learning to life in your classroom through curriculum, lessons, activities, posters and more, all focused on Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. From science and math to geography and art, we've got something for every age level.

Curriculum

Common Octopus curled up in a crevice on the reef

Octopus Adaptations

Grades 3-5

A 5E curriculum that takes elementary students through a variety of exploratory activities to learn about adaptations of the octopus. For video footage of an octopus on the reef, visit our Invertebrate Videos page.

Curriculum Handouts

A Spanish Hogfish showing off its purple and yellow coloration

Fish Fun!

Grades 3-5

A 5E curriculum that teaches elementary students how three different fish species are adapted for different feeding styles. Includes images of Spanish Hogfish, Marbled Grouper and Goldentail Moray Eel.

For more images of fish from the sanctuary, please visit our Bony Fish Species page.

Diver using a t-frame camera mount to photograph a station on the reef

Reef Monitoring

Grades 6-12

A 5E curriculum that teaches students about the challenges of reef monitoring and tests their observation skills. Students examine actual reef monitoring images for changes over time in a reef habitat.

Stetson Bank Monitoring Images

East Flower Garden Bank Monitoring Images

West Flower Garden Bank Monitoring Images


Lessons

An index finger pointing to a tiny brain coral colony about 1 inch across

Coral Construction

Grades 4-8

Students model the beginnings of reef formation and the challenges of coral polyp settlement in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

This lesson was developed in collaboration with Immersion Presents for the Secrets of the Gulf Expedition.

Boulder of Great Star Coral made up of five different colonies fitted together like puzzle pieces

Coral Constructors

Grades 3-12

Students explore the diversity of coral shapes using Lego building bricks. A compiled Lego reef helps them discover the impacts of storm action on different colonies within the reef.

Coral Shape Images

This lesson was originally developed by Shedd Aquarium and adapted with their permission.

Hole left in a coral colony after a core sample was taken

Coral Cores: Ocean Timelines

Grades 6-12

Students discover how corals create their calcium carbonate skeletons and what those layers of growth can tell us. Lesson Includes x-ray images of actual coral cores taken from the sanctuary.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Cores page.


A Great Star Coral releasing spawn into the water at night

Coral Spawning Globe

Grades 5-8

Students learn about coral reproduction and model mass coral spawning on the reef by building a snow globe.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Spawning page.

Close up image of coral polyps living in a colony

Coral Up Close

Grades 3-12

Students explore the anatomy of a coral polyp and how it fits into a colony by modeling coral polyps using their hands. Lesson includes a simulation of coral feeding techniques.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Basics page.

This lesson was originally developed by Shedd Aquarium and adapted with their permission.

Looking up at the belly of a manta ray swimming beneath the shadow of a boat at the surface

Manta Mysteries

Grades 4-8

Students explore the challenges of identifying and tracking manta rays through role playing activities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Manta Catalog page.

This lesson was developed in collaboration with Immersion Presents for the Secrets of the Gulf Expedition.


A reef mural made of over 100 individually painted squares

Paint a Reef Mural

Grades K-8

Students identify species of coral reef animals and their preferred habitat niches then share that knowledge by painting a mural.

Species Guide

Painting Templates

Artist List

Mural Frame Construction

Colorful bits of plastic mixed in with natural flotsam on a beach

Plastics, Plastics Everywhere!

Grades 4-8

Students explore how plastics affect the ocean environment and the impact that they and their families have on the amount of plastic bags used each day, week and year.

For more information on this topic, please visit our What You Can Do page.


Activities

Two nurse sharks resting on top of coral heads on the reef

Coral Crossword Puzzle

Grades 5-12

Students review coral reef vocabulary and knowledge by answering 22 clues about Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Two groupers facing each other above the reef with a school of smaller fish swimming in the background

Coral Word Search

Grades 5-12

Students coral reef vocabulary by searching a letter grid for 32 words, from Algae to Zooxanthellae.

Collage of animals found in the shallow reefs of FGBNMS

Critter Collage

Grades K-12

Students identify animals seen in the shallower parts of the sanctuary. Attached key provides a brief description of each animal.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


Collage of plants and animals found in the deep reefs of FGBNMS

Critter Collage II

Grades K-12

Students identify animals seen in the deeper parts of the sanctuary. Attached key provides a brief description of each animal/plant.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A creolfish in blotchy coloration resting on the reef at night

Day/Night Wheel

Grades K-2

Students construct a paper wheel that illustrates which animals are active on the reef during the day and which are active at night.

Map showing the Gulf of Mexico watershed spread across the central part of North American and part of Cuba

Gulf of Mexico Watershed

Grades 4-6

Students identify and label the United States found within the Gulf of Mexico watershed.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Natural Setting page.


Black & white line drawing of reef creatures within a circle with water droplets splashing out the top

Reef Scene Coloring Page

Grades K-12

Students color a manta ray, hammerhead sharks, a sea turtle and other popular animals of the sanctuary. How many animals can they find and identify?

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

Collage of pictures showing alphabet letter shapes in sanctuary images

Sanctuary Alphabet

Grades 3-12

Students search for each alphabet letter shape, from A to Z, within a collage of images from the sanctuary.

Black & white drawing of a splitting coral polyp

Splitting Polyp Coloring Page

Grades K-12

Students color a coral polyp that is splitting to become two polyps in the process of asexual reproduction.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Spawning page.


A Goldentail Moray eel coming out from behind some coral on the reef.

Zooxanthellae Words

Grades 6-12

Students create as many words as possible using only the letters from the word "Zooxanthellae."

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Basics page.


Webinar Recordings

A fish with a dialog bubble that says, There's a Coral Reef Where?

Flower Garden Banks NMS

Webinar recordings about the sanctuary, coral bleaching, coral spawning, ocean acidification, behind-the-scenes happenings, and more.

Don't miss all of the wildlife and spawning videos available on our Sanctuary Videos page.

National marine sanctuaries logo overlaid on photo of an angelfish swimming past pale pink and white sponges on a reef

National Marine Sanctuaries

Upcoming and archived webinar recordings from across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Topics include habitats, marine life, ocean conservation, cultural heritage, and more.

Check back regularly to see what's coming next!.

A person viewing a webinar on a laptop computer

NOAA

A library of live and archived webinars, especially for educators and students. Themes include satellite monitoring, hurricane hunters, and deep-sea dives, and more.

Check back regularly to see what's coming next!.


Holiday Fun

A pyramid of images with 12 at the bottom, then 11 above and so on up to one on top. Each layer of images shows a different sanctuary species to go with a modified 12 days of Christmas concept listed next to each layer.

12 Days of Fishmas

A colorful pyramid of sanctuary sea creatures set to the 12 Days of Christmas song, from 12 Drums a-Drumming to a Parrotfish Under the Sea.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

Two candy canes make a heart shape around a photo of a diver above the reef

Candy Cane Heart

A pair of peppermint candy canes striped with animals from the sanctuary. How many cane you identify? Cane you name them all?

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A pair of red and white striped shrimp holding up small candy canes

Candy Cane Shrimp

A pair of red and white striped Banded Coral Shrimp, sometimes called Peppermint or Candy Cane Shrimp, hold up their favorite holiday treats.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


A United States flag image made using red and white fish for the stripes and murex shells for the stars.

Fish of July

A sanctuary version of the U.S. flag made with images of coneys (grouper species) and murexes (sea snails) to help celebrate Independence Day.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A trio of beribboned gift boxes with coral spawning, a queen angelfish and Christmas tree worms pictured along with a Happy Holidays message

Gifts of the Season

A trio of colorful gifts highlighting the sanctuary's holiday specialties: snow (coral spawning), angels (angelfish) and Christmas trees (worms).

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A candy corn picture with each color replaced by part of a sanctuary creature iamge in the matching color, with a Happy Halloween message.

Halloween Treat

A fun piece for Halloween. See if you can identify the animal images that make up this Candy Corn treat. Need help? Clue 1, Clue 2, Clue 3.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


A school of jacks, with three wearing Santa hats, and the phrase Ho, Ho, Ho!.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

A school of jacks in Santa hats create a banner suitable for topping any page. They declare their delight with a hearty "Ho, Ho, Ho!"

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A moon jelly with holly leaves decorating its bell.

Holly, Jelly Christmas

A Moon Jelly with holly and berries along it's bell wishes you a Holly, Jelly Christmas! It's the best time of the year. Any other ideas? Something with bells?

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A red background with a heart-shaped image of the reef in the middle with the phrase Love That Reef

Love That Reef

A reef Valentine to show your love for the ocean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, as well as a reminder to treat our reefs kindly.

To learn more about protecting coral reefs, please visit our Reef Etiquette page.


A manta ray wearing a Santa hat and swimming past snowflakes

Manta Claus

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why. Manta Claus is coming to town!

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A poinsettia image with some of the red bract and green leaf parts replaced by sanctuary creature/plant images of the same colors, with a Happy Holidays message.

Poinsettia Power

A holiday greeting with a biological twist. The flower petals (bracts), leaves and center were created from images of sanctuary wildlife. A key is provided.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A redlip blenny with reindeer antlers

Rudolph the Red-lipped Blenny

Rudolph the Redlip Blenny, had a very shiny smile. And, if you ever saw him, you would stay and watch a while... How would you continue this popular song?

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


A yellow blenny wearing a Santa hat while perched on a clump of algae

Santa Blenny

A new take on an old classic. Blennies actually do hang out in sponge "chimneys" upon occasion, so the idea is not so far fetched.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

A red brab wearing a Santa hat and holiding a list

Santa Claws

A quick reminder that he's making a list. He's checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty or nice (to our reefs). Santa Claws is coming to town!

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

Christmas tree decorated with birds and topped with a bow, sitting on the railing of a boat at sea

Seasons Tweetings

Believe it or not, there are more songbirds than seabirds in our sanctuary species list. These colorful tweeters migrate across the Gulf of Mexico twice a year.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


Arrow crab holding up tiny Christmas stockings

Stockings Were Hung

A playful take on the classic line from "A Night Before Christmas" shows an Arrow Crab hanging Christmas stockings in the algae.

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.

Snow globe with a coral spawning photo inside and snowflakes on the outside

Winter Wonderland (in August)

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but coral spawning is so delightful! We have our own underwater snowstorm every August.

To learn more about the annual mass spawning in the sanctuary, please visit our Coral Spawning page.

A Christmas tree worm decorated with ornaments, bows, and a star

Worm Wishes

Oh,Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree! Who knew worms could be so beautiful? Worm wishes for a Happy Holiday Season!

To learn more about species in the sanctuary, please visit our Species List page.


Posters

Top third of a graphic poster showcasing Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Save Spectacular Commemorative Poster

Original size: 18" x 27"

This is the 9th poster in the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries 50th Anniversary Save Spectacular poster series. It features graphic art of sanctuary habitats and marine life, along with scuba divers, an ROV, and the sanctuary's research vessel MANTA. A Manta Ray is featured front and center.

Poster with a large photo of lacy green algae in the middle and a description of the algae and the location it was observed underneath

Deep Reef Algae Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a photo captured by ROV camera at 170 feet deep on West Flower Garden Bank. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.

Poster with a large photo of pink, white and purple anemone in the middle and a description of the anemone and the location it was observed underneath

Deep Reef Anemone Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a photo captured by ROV camera at 373 feet deep on Horseshoe Bank. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.


Poster with a large photo of bright red crinoid perched on white corals in the middle and a description of the crinoid and the location it was observed underneath

Deep Reef Crinoid Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a photo captured by ROV camera at 353 feet deep on West Flower Garden Bank. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.

Poster with a large photo of small brown octopus in the middle and a description of the octopus and the location it was observed underneath

Deep Reef Octopus Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a photo captured by ROV camera at 358 feet deep on West Flower Garden Bank. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.

Poster with a large photo of pink and orange roughtongue bass in the middle and a description of the bass and the location it was observed underneath

Deep Reef Roughtongue Bass Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a photo captured by ROV camera at 264 feet deep on West Flower Garden Bank. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.


Poster with a large photo collage of deep reef plants and animals in the middle and a description of their habitats underneath

Deep Reef Collage Poster

Original size: 25" x 19"

This poster features a collage of photos captured by ROV camera in the deeper areas of the sanctuary and its surroundings. A description of FGBNMS is included underneath.

Stop the Invasion! Poster

Original size: 19" x 27"

A call to action on behalf of reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico, this poster explains the invasive lionfish problem and encourages action. Pictured within the lionfish outline are images of species being eaten by lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Treasures of the Flower Garden Banks Banner

Original Size: 31" x 82"

This elongated banner highlights some of the notable features of FGBNMS amid clusters of cascading gold coins, with a background reef image.


Other Resources

Top part of the front page of the FGBNMS Fact Sheet

FGBNMS Fact Sheet

A full-color, 2-sided fact sheet that includes information about the sanctuary's location, habitats, flora and fauna, research and monitoring, and more. Perfect for science lessons, research projects, and even non-fiction reading practice.

Cross-section drawing of a coral polyp with parts labeled

Anatomy of a Coral Polyp

A full-color illustration of coral polyp anatomy, adapted from the NOS Coral Discovery Kit to use when teaching about coral structure.

For more information on this topic, please visit our Coral Basics page.

Story map title overlaid on an image of brightly colored invertebrates on a reef

Sanctuary Banks Story Map

When most of us hear the word ‘bank’ we think of financial institutions and money, but banks in the ocean have a different value, concentrating a wealth of ocean species. Discover what makes these banks so special that we name sanctuaries after them.


National Marine Sanctuaries header over an image of corals and fish with the title Climate Change Impacts Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Climate Change Impacts

The impacts of climate change are intensifying both globally and locally. While all of our sanctuaries and monuments must face these global effects of climate change, each is affected differently.

A small group of dolphins swimming underwater

National Marine Sanctuaries

Learn about all of our National Marine Sanctuaries, from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Three teachers looking at a quadrat along a transect on a beach

National Marine Sanctuaries For Teachers

Teacher resources and training opportunities as well as curriculum, lesson plans and activities from across the sanctuary system.


Yellow and orange brittlestars found during an ROV exploration

Ocean Explorer

Follow current expeditions, see images of the latest discoveries, read daily logs from scientists, download supporting curriculum and even Ask an Explorer questions via email.

Bright red deep sea coral shaped like a palm tree

Deep Ocean Education

With resources for educators, students, and the public, the Deep Ocean Education Project website will help you harness the power of three leaders in ocean exploration: NOAA Ocean Exploration, Ocean Exploration Trust, and Schmidt Ocean Institute.

Cover image of activity book showing wavy layers with a satellite, a space shuttle, a tornado, a heron in a marsh, an orca, a sea turtle, some fish, and a submersible

Discover Your World with NOAA

An activity book designed to show how NOAA helps us to explore, understand and protect our Earth. This book was developed for NOAA's Celebration of 200 years of Science, Service, and Stewardship.


The words Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts of Ocean Sciences for Learners of All Ages on a background of an ocean scene with a manta ray, colorful fish, a sea turlte and a submersible.

Ocean Literacy

A guide to incorporating ocean concepts into everyday teaching. There are 7 principles of Ocean Literacy — ideas scientists and educators agree everyone should understand about the ocean. 

A diver scooping up a sediment sample from a sand flat in the sanctuary

Gulf Oil Spill

Information on how the sanctuary responded to the Gulf oil spill in 2010, as well as links to a variety of resources for teaching about oil spills.