Coral

Coral Bleaching

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Coral reef bleaching has been in the headline news this past summer, as it was the hottest three-month period on record. As ocean temperatures soared to 32°C (90°F) around the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, coral reefs were way past their temperature threshold and started to bleach. But what happens when a coral bleaches?

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that occurs when coral polyps expel the symbiotic (mutually beneficial) algae called zooxanthellae from their tissues, causing the corals to lose their color and turn white or pale. These algae provide the corals with essential nutrients through photosynthesis and contribute to their vibrant colors. When coral polyps expel the zooxanthellae, it not only leads to the loss of color but also affects the overall health and survival of the coral reefs…

2018 Corals in the Classroom Workshop

Thank you to the teachers who joined us for our 2018 Corals in the Classroom Workshop. In mid-August, we partnered with the National Aquarium to introduce local teachers to our Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum. Teachers participated in a two-day, hands-on workshop focused …

Meet Our Middle School 2018 Science Without Borders® Challenge Winners

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After we announce the winners of our Science Without Borders® Challenge, I get a lot of questions about the students. Where are they from? How long have they been interested in art? Are they planning on studying art at university? The incredible artwork …

Meet Our High School 2018 Science Without Borders® Challenge Winners

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Another Science Without Borders® Challenge has come to a conclusion. We received over 600 pieces of artwork from 38 different countries, each a unique and individual piece portraying Why Coral Reefs Matter. Once again, I’m in awe at the artistic abilities of our youth. …

2018 Science Without Borders® Challenge Winners!

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By Amy Heemsoth Students from China and United States win international art competition The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) are proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Science Without Borders® Challenge, an international student …

Science without Borders® Challenge 2018 High School Finalists

Congratulations to all the Science Without Borders® Challenge 2018 High School Finalists! This year’s theme focuses on “Why Coral Reefs Matter.” We’ll announce the High School winners next week.                 

Science Without Borders® Challenge 2018 High School Semi-Finalists

To celebrate the International Year of the Reef (IYOR), we partnered with the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) to bring you the Science Without Borders® Challenge. The theme for the 2018 international student contest was “Why Coral Reefs Matter.” Students were …

Science Without Borders® Challenge 2018 Middle School Semi-Finalists

To celebrate the International Year of the Reef (IYOR), we partnered with the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) to bring you the Science Without Borders® Challenge. The theme for the 2018 international student contest was “Why Coral Reefs Matter.” Students …