Coral Academy (www.coralacademy.hk) is an outreach programme under the School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), launched by Dr. Apple Chui, Research Assistant Professor, CUHK, also a member of SKLMP, in 2018. With the support from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and World Wild Fund Hong Kong (WWF-HK) Coral Academy has organized programmes of different scales for the general public and secondary school students, including the “Learn about Hong Kong Coral Communities and Conservation Workshop”, “Learn about Hong Kong Coral Communities in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park Workshop”, “Secondary School Coral Nursery Education Programme.”, and “Citizen Scientist Programme: Coral Rescuer”. These programs aim to enhance public and secondary school students’ awareness and knowledge of the marine environmental issues, problems and solutions; to establish a connection between participants and local corals through first-hand experience of nurturing coral fragments to be used in coral restoration works; and motivate them to take action to implement environmental solutions. Coral Academy has also partnered with local organisations, such as the Hong Kong Ocean Park and the Jane Goodall Institute Hong Kong to develop marine environmental education programs for primary and secondary schools, and the general public. Such partnerships also provide valuable learning opportunities for CUHK students to engage as tutors in the programs, enhance students’ science communication skills that will be useful in their wider lives.

- Dr. Apple Chui, Research Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

What We Do
“Learn About Hong Kong Coral Communities and Conservation Workshop”
The workshop includes a coral introductory seminar, a presentation of AFCD “HK Marine Biodiversity” documentary, a showcase of coral skeletons, a visit to the coral culturing facilities at the Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory CUHK, and a first-hand adopt a coral experience.

“Learn About Coral Communities and Conservation in Tung Ping Chau Marine Park Workshop”
Participants can have a quick glimpse of Hong Kong's marine ecology as well as the magnificent coral world through different interactive activities, including an introductory seminar on corals, coral identification workshops, and a guided eco-shore exploration in the marine park, observing various traces of intertidal wildlife and corals. Afterwards, participants will visit the coral culturing facilities at the Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory CUHK, and end the day with a first-hand adopt a coral experience.

“Secondary School Coral Nursery Education Programme”
Turning local secondary schools into coral culturing stations before outplanting. This one-year programme is designed to provide students with solid knowledge and experiences in coral conservation works through school-based culturing of alive local coral fragments, which will then be outplanted for actual local coral restoration work in Hong Kong. By taking the vital role of maintaining coral tanks and monitoring coral growth and health, teams of teachers and students can learn about coral biology and ecology while establishing a sense of mission to restore coral communities and to protect the ocean. Throughout the year, there are also various conservation engagement activities, including guided eco-tours, aquarium tour, coastal clean-ups, and sharing sessions.

Our Impact
Over 5000 students and teachers from 30 schools have participated in our programmes over the past three years. Not only did participants gained knowledge and interest towards marine lives, but also affirmative inspirations and behavioural changes in marine conservation. It is believed that the interactive activities and unique first-hand experiences offered by the Coral Academy have planted seedlings of conservation in the hearts of the new generation, allowing conservation effort done by scientists to reach broader and farther.