Children in Shenzhen recently got an up-close look at coral reefs and microscopic marine life at the Dream Aquarium during a hands-on science outreach event.

The event was hosted by the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Dapeng-based environmental protection organization Dive For Love. 

The activity began with an immersive tour of the aquarium, where students observed a variety of local marine species and learned about their behaviors and ecological roles.

Attention then turned to the coral tanks. Dr. Song Yifan from the institute’s Optoelectronic Engineering Center demonstrated how scientists use photogrammetry to create “3D ID cards” for individual corals.

While corals cover only a small portion of the ocean, they provide habitat for about a quarter of all marine species. By photographing corals from multiple angles and generating high-precision digital models, researchers can monitor their growth, bleaching, damage, and recovery over time without physically disturbing the reef.

“It's like taking a 3D photo of a coral that can be rotated, enlarged, and measured,” Song explained. Children marveled at how advanced optical imaging and computer vision technologies are quietly helping to protect the ocean.