Looking for ways to engage your students in marine science and conservation? REEF has many resources to involve students and educators in the Grouper Moon Project. Around winter full moons each year, our team joins forces in the Cayman Islands to study one of the last remaining and largest currently known spawning aggregations of the endangered Nassau Grouper.
Students will learn the economic, ecologic, and cultural importance of Nassau Grouper as a top predator on Caribbean coral reefs through the Grouper Moon Project. There are also chances to explore technologies in marine science and collaborative efforts to create a sustainable fishery to benefit not only the community but also the local ecosystems.
Ways to Engage Your Students in the Grouper Moon Project
- Tune in to a live-from-the-field webchat with scientists studying the Nassau Grouper aggregations in the Cayman Islands. Livestreams in 2025 will take place at 10:00 am ET. They will stream directly to REEF's "We Speak Fish" YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/wespeakfish.
Sessions will include:
1. Live stream 1: Monday, February 11, 2025 Land-based. Gathering Groupers: Updates from the field by scientists from REEF, Scripps Oceanography, Oregon State University, and Cayman Islands Department Of Environment for Primary Grades.
2. Live stream 2: Tuesday, February 12, 2025 Land-based. Scientific and Research Technology and Tools, Exploring diverse pathways to becoming a Scientist for Secondary Grades.
3. Live stream 3: Thursday, February 14, 2025 Underwater Dive: LIVE from the Spawning Aggregation (weather permitting) for all grades. Back up day, Feb 15.
- Bring your classroom to life with a Grouper Moon Virtual Field Trip (currently available for 3rd-5th grades and high school. Grades 6th-8th module coming soon).
- Purchase a copy of Grouper Moon by Cynthia Shaw to read with your class.
- Choose a Grouper Moon lesson or classroom activity from REEF's Grouper Education Program to educate your students on endangered species, coral reef ecosystems, and sustainable fisheries.
- Engage your students by watching a Grouper Moon documentary - "Changing Seas" or "Grouper Moon: The Next Phase".
- Book a virtual Discovery Program with REEF to learn about the Grouper Moon Project and ways you can help endangered marine species.
- Check out REEF’s YouTube channel We Speak Fish to watch our pre-recorded Grouper Moon videos.
- Read blog posts from educators in the field with the Grouper Moon team on the Grouper Education Program EduBlog.
- Check out the Grouper Moon Educator Workshop to learn more.
- Visit the Grouper Moon Project webpage for links to program summaries, videos, and scientific papers.
The above online learning resources and activities are FREE, thanks to the generous support of our members and donors through the Oceans for All Fund, a pooled scholarship fund committed to investing in a more equitable future for marine conservation.