Discover treasures of the tides investigating the array of things you can find on the beach and learn about the purpose of the various structures seen along the shore. This program will explore best beach practices and encourage you to implore your sand scavenging skills whether you live at the beach or are just visiting.
January 14: Sand Scavengers-Discover treasures of the tides and learn about shells, shark teeth, and more. This interactive program will talk about beach friendly shell practices, finding tidal treasures, and how to keep the beach safe for animals and people.
On Jan 28: Sea Turtles-Sea turtles are frequent visitors to the North Carolina coast, with several individuals nesting on beaches from the Outer Banks to our own Ocean Isle Beach. Learn about the species of sea turtles in NC, how volunteers track sea turtle nests, and what we can do to protect sea turtles. Then, experience being a sea turtle scientist through our Sea Turtle Quest virtual reality program.
On Feb 11, the focus is on sharks and shark teeth. In this interactive program, explore the anatomy of a shark while busting misconceptions about sharks. Discover ways to find shark teeth and how to stay safe while swimming in the sea. The program will conclude with a fun craft to leave you wondering about sharks.
On Feb 25, join a discussion of the hardened structures found along our beaches. While highlighting features of groins, jetties, and sea walls, investigate the purpose of these structures and their environmental impact. Explore differences in each structure to understand how they help preserve the beach.
On March 11 we’ll be talking about lighthouses. North Carolina has long been known for its beacons of light that stretch from Currituck to Bald Head Island. This program will explore the development of lighthouses and how they have changed over time, the purpose lighthouses have served in NC, and some fun facts about each of these historic structures.
Mar 25 we’ll be studying ‘Beach Oddities’. Have you ever found something weird on the beach and wondered what it was? We will explore some of the unique objects commonly found on our beaches from whelk egg cases to mermaid purses to worm shells and more.
Join us each Saturday at 11:00 am for family programs designed by Jamie Justice, the Education Manager for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, who oversees all family programs. Justice received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science in Environmental Science with concentrations in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.
Step into the shoes of working scientists in this family friendly program. Each week, we will feature a different type of scientist, describe the research they conduct, and dive into their world with hands-on activities.
Dates:
Jan 12 – Chemist – Put on your safety glasses and become a chemist! We’ll make a density potion and learn about types of chemical reaction.
Jan 19 – Meteorologist – What’s the weather today? Learn how weather works and storms form by becoming a meteorologist.
Jan 26 – Marine Biologist – Become a marine biologist studying sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Feb 2 – Botanist – Dive into the world of plants and learn what it is like to be a botanist! We will focus on plants for pollinators and explore pollination through hands-on activities.
Feb 9 – Ichthyologist – Swim into the world of ichthyologists and learn all about fish. We will investigate the different types of fish scales, unique fish anatomy, and cool fish seen along the coast.
Feb 16 – Ornithologist – This week is all about birds! Learn how scientists identify and track birds through fun, interactive activities as we take flight as ornithologists.
Feb 23 – Seismologist – Explore the causes of earthquakes as we become seismologists. Think you can build a structure that can last through an earthquake? Find out in this fun, interactive program!
Mar 2 – Ecologist – Take a closer look at how an ecosystem works. As ecologists we will be studying the marsh ecosystems we can find throughout our region.
Mar 9 – Geologist – Rocks rock! Explore the different types of rock as we dig for treasures in this fun, interactive program experiencing the world of geologists.
Mar 16 – Aquaculturist – Also known as fish farmers, aquaculturists grow raise fish and shellfish under controlled conditions. Some shellfish, such as oysters, are beneficial to the environment. We
will discover why aquaculturists raise shellfish and explore the important role these organisms play in the environment.
Mar 23 – Herpetologist – Turtles, frogs, and snakes, oh my! Hop on over this week to learn about local reptiles and amphibians and step into the shoes of a herpetologist.
Mar 30 – Agronomist – Dig into the science of soil as we learn about agronomists. Get down and dirty as we learn about the three main types of soil and common critters found in the soil.
Jamie Justice is the creator of Spotlight Science. Justice is the Education Manager for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. She received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science in Environmental Science with concentrations in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.
You’re invited to get up close with some of the more familiar creatures found in our ocean.
Our touch tank pool allows you to gently touch marine animals such as sea stars, sea urchins, whelks, horseshoe crabs, and hermit crabs. These animals live in a variety of habitats and have developed many ways to survive the waves and predators. Volunteers are on hand to assist and teach you about these incredible animals.
Did you know, when a sea urchin “hugs” your finger if you gently touch its spines, it’s actually checking you out: Are you food or predator? If you’re neither, the animal will just gradually release you.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.
Come to Backyard Explorers! the first Saturday of each month. The program will dive into local species and ways to investigate your backyard through animal tracks, trail cameras, and more. This fun, interactive program is family friendly and will leave you with ways to explore at home.
Saturday, March 4 we’ll be looking at box turtles. Did you know the Eastern box turtle is the state reptile of North Carolina? Learn all about these unique creatures, featuring two of the museum’s newest residents. We will talk about box turtle anatomy, how box turtles got their name, and the difference between land turtles and sea turtles.
Saturday, April 1 our program is Trees, the Sea, and Me. All habitats are connected and planting and protecting trees can actually help save the sea. In this educational family program, we will provide demonstrations to show how planting trees helps keep the water clean and cool and protects the critters that live in the sea.
Join us each Saturday at 11:00 am for family programs designed by Jamie Justice, the Education Manager for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium, who oversees all family programs. Justice received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science in Environmental Science with concentrations in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.
Step into the shoes of working scientists in this family friendly program. Each week, we will feature a different type of scientist, describe the research they conduct, and dive into their world with hands-on activities.
Dates:
Jan 12 – Chemist – Put on your safety glasses and become a chemist! We’ll make a density potion and learn about types of chemical reaction.
Jan 19 – Meteorologist – What’s the weather today? Learn how weather works and storms form by becoming a meteorologist.
Jan 26 – Marine Biologist – Become a marine biologist studying sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Feb 2 – Botanist – Dive into the world of plants and learn what it is like to be a botanist! We will focus on plants for pollinators and explore pollination through hands-on activities.
Feb 9 – Ichthyologist – Swim into the world of ichthyologists and learn all about fish. We will investigate the different types of fish scales, unique fish anatomy, and cool fish seen along the coast.
Feb 16 – Ornithologist – This week is all about birds! Learn how scientists identify and track birds through fun, interactive activities as we take flight as ornithologists.
Feb 23 – Seismologist – Explore the causes of earthquakes as we become seismologists. Think you can build a structure that can last through an earthquake? Find out in this fun, interactive program!
Mar 2 – Ecologist – Take a closer look at how an ecosystem works. As ecologists we will be studying the marsh ecosystems we can find throughout our region.
Mar 9 – Geologist – Rocks rock! Explore the different types of rock as we dig for treasures in this fun, interactive program experiencing the world of geologists.
Mar 16 – Aquaculturist – Also known as fish farmers, aquaculturists grow raise fish and shellfish under controlled conditions. Some shellfish, such as oysters, are beneficial to the environment. We
will discover why aquaculturists raise shellfish and explore the important role these organisms play in the environment.
Mar 23 – Herpetologist – Turtles, frogs, and snakes, oh my! Hop on over this week to learn about local reptiles and amphibians and step into the shoes of a herpetologist.
Mar 30 – Agronomist – Dig into the science of soil as we learn about agronomists. Get down and dirty as we learn about the three main types of soil and common critters found in the soil.
Jamie Justice is the creator of Spotlight Science. Justice is the Education Manager for the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium. She received her Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from Bowling Green State University and her Master of Science in Environmental Science with concentrations in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
This is a live star show. The presenter will display the night sky on the planetarium’s dome ceiling and take you on a tour, pointing out the stars, planets, and constellations that are visible in our area. Later, as you are walking along the beach on a clear night, you will be able to recognize by name the celestial sights you see.