The Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP) and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo (BAMZ) recently hosted 12 students and two professors from a Florida college as part of their Coastal Environmental Science major study abroad course.

Flagler College is a small private college in St Augustine which launched its programme last autumn. The programme is designed to give students hands-on research experience with opportunities overseas.

While in Bermuda the students developed different research methods and strategies to test while engaging with Bermuda’s marine environment.

“Bermuda is such a unique and special island to me,” said Dr Terri Seron, chairman of the Natural Sciences Department.

“I previously spent three summers on the Island, taking courses and participating in coral research, and I was absolutely thrilled to return to Bermuda many years later with my students to pass on my love for Bermuda.

“The Flagler students understand the environmental pressures and problems that our coral reefs are facing, and that knowledge gives me hope for the future.

“The possibilities for what we can accomplish in offering a hands-on research experience to our students are limitless here. I am very excited about future possibilities.”

Student Ryan Maroney said: “I was completely blown away by not only the natural beauty we encountered on the offshore reefs, but also by the dedicated and friendly people we had the privilege to meet and work with at BAMZ.

“We were able to not only have a lot of fun on your beautiful Island but also accomplished some meaningful and hopefully impactful research.”