Covering less than one percent of the marine environment, coral reefs are home to a quarter of marine species and are important nursery habitats to edible fish. It is estimated, one billion people depend on the reefs for food. This vital ecosystem and resource are under serious threat from global warming, coastal development, pollution and over-fishing.

Between 29 October and 09 November, Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop, educator and expedition leader, and Ellie Mackay, science communicator brought this topic to life to thousands of children around the world.

Working with scientists at the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) research station, Jamie hosted 29 interactive AXA Coral Live education broadcasts for teachers seeking to create real world connections for their students.

Five daily topics were offered: introduction to coral, coral ecosystems, corals and climate change, the deep reef and the coral adaptation. Over 150 teachers animated their lessons with investigations, interviews with experts, and Ask-Me-Anything sessions to over 15,000 students.