The student effectively justifies the choice of topic and research question by emphasizing the global relevance of coral bleaching's impact on the Great Barrier Reef, highlighting its environmental consequences, economic implications, and connection to human well-being. Additionally, the student demonstrates strong personal input and initiative in designing and conducting the study, presenting a clear research question and rationale for the methodology chosen. The detailed methodology includes the use of water displacement to measure CO2 production, a protocol diagram, and self-taken photos of the experimental setup, showcasing the student's engagement in the research process.