"Reef Survivor Jr" - Board Game about reef ecosystems for Grades 4-6

Original Game and final refinement by:

Rowan Martindale, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin; Martindale@jsg.utexas.edu

Modifications for Jamaican Children developed by:

Claire M. Williams, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin

Caitlin Currie, The University of Texas at Austin

N.E.E.T. Workshop was coordinated and planned by Melissa Kemp, Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

Author Profile
Initial Publication Date: September 3, 2026
DOI | Cite this

Summary

"Reef Survivor Jr" is an adaptation of "Reef Survivor" for students in Grades 4-6.

This 45-60 minute educational board game can be used as an active learning tool in a class or summer program. While players aim to build a resilient coral reef, they learn about modern Caribbean coral reef ecology, evolution, and environmental disturbances (e.g., heatwaves and hurricanes). Through collaborative and competitive gameplay, students are introduced to reef organisms, natural and man-made disasters, and evolution mechanics—mutation, migration, and natural selection.

Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »

Context

Audience

Science classes, Grades 4-6

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered

None, players with no background in reefs can play.

How the activity is situated in the course

This game takes 45-60 minutes and can be played in a class or summer program. Round or large tables are beneficial.

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity

Jamaican NSC Standards

Grade 4
Living Things

  • Characteristics of living things
  • Survival needs of plants and animals

Plants and Animals

  • Functions of external features of animals
  • Vertebrates and Invertebrates

Water and Air

  • Sources and ways of reducing water pollution

Grade 5

Energy forms

  • Sun as main energy source

Grade 6

Environment

  • defining the environment
  • conserving the natural environment
  • effects of human activities on the environment
  • adaptations of organisms to their environment
  • defining climate change
  • effects of improper solid waste disposal
  • effects of environmental problems on humans

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

  • Understand how adaptations of characters/traits can help, or hurt organism's ability to survive
  • Observe, collect, and record information regarding the interacting factors within an environment
  • Become aware of how disasters (manmade and natural) impact reefs survival and recognise the need for and importance of conserving living things and the environment to sustain the balance in the ecosystem.
  • Show concern for the impact of humans on the environment

Skills goals for this activity

working in groups, strategizing

Description and Teaching Materials

In this game, students build and protect coral reefs as if they were a conservation expert in Jamaica.
Students become familiar with 4 Caribbean corals, parrotfish, algae, and how they interact on a reef. They also see how mutations can work to be beneficial or harmful and are passed on to the next generation. Students also experience how environmental changes and human disturbances can impact reefs.

See the Lesson Plan for how to work through the game: Lesson Plan (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 34kB Aug21 26)

Powerpoint about how to play the game: Introductory Powerpoint (PowerPoint 2007 (.pptx) 25.5MB Aug21 26) 
1-Page Gameplay Instructions: Gameplay Instructions (Acrobat (PDF) 1.3MB Aug21 26) 
Print and Play game; i.e., tokens, board, cards (Note: print these pieces on heavy card stock, you will also need D6 dice): Game Components (Acrobat (PDF) 2MB Aug21 26)
Worksheet (Microsoft Word 2007 (.docx) 18kB Aug21 26)

Teaching Notes and Tips

Teachers should follow the Lesson Plan and present the Introductory Powerpoint to the class. The "How to Play the Game" PDF can be printed out and distributed to the students. The Print and Play Game Components should be printed on card stock for the class activity. You will also need D6 dice (one per team/player).


Assessment

Have students complete the "Student Worksheet" (or have a group discussion after the game).

References and Resources

The Alligator Head Foundation (AHF): https://youtu.be/sTXmBSX8zKw
Planting Mangrove and Corals with AHF: https://youtu.be/J7mjESKkkPA

Dive videos: https://youtu.be/EQMszdm-608

Videos of Jamaican Reefs
Trident Reef, East Portland: https://youtu.be/yHqTkDAa3y8 
Turtle Crawle,East Portland: https://youtu.be/qz2PQYUQ9AI 
Pellau Island, East Portland: https://youtu.be/E0rgjyJacxw 
Discovery Bay: https://youtu.be/m6-zVlfs72o

 

Papers about other "Reef Survivor" Games: