What is a coral reef?

Did you know there is a living structure on Earth so massive that astronauts can actually see it all the way from space?! It’s true! The Great Barrier Reef is roughly the size of Japan, but it wasn't built by giant machines. It was built by millions of tiny, squishy animals the size of a grain of rice! In this exciting episode of Science is Not Boring, Mira and Finn dive deep into the ocean to uncover the secrets of coral reefs. You will find out how tiny creatures called coral polyps build colorful underwater cities and team up with amazing microscopic algae roommates called zooxanthellae! But why are so many of these beautiful reefs suddenly turning ghostly white? We will explore the mystery behind coral bleaching and learn exactly how warming ocean temperatures affect these sensitive animals. Don't worry, there is good news, too! Discover how kids and scientists around the world are working together to grow new coral in underwater nurseries to save the rainforests of the sea. Get ready for mind-blowing facts, lightning-fast microscopic harpoons, and a fun trivia quiz to test your ocean knowledge!