The economic effects of corals is very interesting. Krystal has a lot to say about third world countries and the economics that comes along with coral in those countries. There is a good tie into tourism, economics and culture there.
Great work-Literacy skills should be easy to bring in with many of the topics you have listed here.

http://64.130.1.197/resources/documents/MSR_376Pathogensanddisease.pdf
http://www.seaweb.org/home.php

The Sea Web site has a great deal of resources (2nd address)
The top link is a recent articles dealing with bacteria on coral

We toured a lot of different areas that Krystal works in at Scripps. The most hands on aspect was the touch tank full of sea creatures like sea anenomes and sea stars that we could pick up and hold. I think the students would love this experience. This activity is more something that would involve a field trip to Scripps rather than bringing all of the sea creatures into the classroom. We did ask about possibly gaining access to some sea urchins which could be worked with in the classroom. It was great to have time to really talk to Krystal about her research so that we can start to formulate our project ideas around that.

Yesterday we were able to view Krystal's laboratory at Scripps. We were able to see the different types of laboratory equipment used in their lab (one microscope cost in upwards of a quarter of a million dollars). In additional to viewing Krystal's lab, she also took us into the main marine biology lab where we were able to view a number on ongoing laboratory experiments in progress. The lab featured a "touch tank" in which you could feel, handle, and manipulate various types of marine life. This "touch tank" would be of particular interest to students. While brain storming projectd ideas with Krystal, we learned of her educational background and experiences in ecology as well as microbiology and marine ecology. Krystal vast experience in a number of different field really opens up the types of project ideas we could pilot with students and implement in the classroom.

Our hands-on activity consisted of "touching tank" with a variety of marine invertebrates that we could touch, hold and examine. This could be used by my students if we are able to do a field trip to Scripps. It would be difficult to transport this tank to our school site. The time we spent with our scientist was very rewarding. We were able to tour several lab facilities, see two high-end computers (confocal and atomic), and walk to the end of the Scripps pier. Very nice day.