Pulitzer Center News Quiz: Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems

Build underreported news stories into your classroom routine with the Pulitzer News Quiz. Our quizzes offer an interactive, accessible entry point to a recent story that highlights issues and voices often overlooked in the headlines.

This week’s story:

"Gray Whales Are Dying Along the Pacific Coast" by Daniel Wolfe describes how warming waters are linked to gray whale deaths along the Pacific Coast. By exploring this story, students will build their knowledge on the effects of climate change on our oceans ecosystems.

Why teach this story?

World Ocean Day, June 8, promotes the conservation of the life source covering over 70 percent of the Earth: the ocean. This story gives students a chance to learn more about the ocean, the animals that live there, and the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystem.

Teaching ideas:

Project this quiz for students and complete it as a class, or have students answer individually. Consider the following options…

• Use this quiz on its own as a teaching tool.
• Use this quiz as an introduction to pique students’ interest before exploring the full story and/or a lesson on this topic.
• Use this quiz as an exit ticket to evaluate student understanding of the story after exploring it during class.

Want to receive the Pulitzer Center News Quiz in your inbox, along with other resources and opportunities? Click here to subscribe to our weekly education newsletter.