Learn about the diversity of life in the Green Swamp in this CSI program for all ages. The Green Swamp is a local wetland teeming with diverse wildlife. Someone has eaten Ursula the Black Bear’s berry stash. Can you help Ursula and solve the mystery?
Become a wildlife detective by identifying animal tracks, observing the habitat crime scene, and determining differences between reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. Then compile the evidence and find out whodunnit to put your sleuthing skills to the test. Can you find the culprit? Find the food thief by uncovering clues about animal tracks, habitat, and more.
Our Education Manager, Jamie Justice will present this fun, interactive program. Jamie 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.
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trap on a virtual reality (VR) headset and watch hundreds of sea turtles emerge from sand, heading toward the beach in our newest VR program, Sea Turtle Quest. This exciting program explores the life cycle of sea turtle including digging a nest, laying eggs, and returning to the sea. Through VR technology, explore a virtual science laboratory that brings the real world into the lab and teaches the process of science. Examine eggshells with a microscope, scale, and other common lab tools. Match the sea turtle tracks to the sea turtle who laid them by examining photos of turtle tracks. Learn why not all baby sea turtles survive and what you can do to protect hatchlings.
The Science in 3D program will feature Sea Turtle Quest on Tuesdays and Thursday at 1:00 pm through Labor Day. The Science in 3D program is hosted by Education Managerr Jamie Justice, who will help launch each VR adventure and answer questions about the experience. This program is not recommended for children under 8 or people who experience motion sickness.
Join scientists who are investigating the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our galaxy in IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System.
Designed for visitors with an appreciation for the challenges of space science and a desire to learn more about science research, the show follows the creation of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Audiences will get an in-depth look at the mission and how IBEX is collecting high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar System’s boundary.
Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from the scientists and engineers that developed the IBEX mission and created the spacecraft, and get the latest updates on the mission’s discoveries.
Discover the treasures of the tides while learning about shells, shark teeth, and more. This engaging program covers beach friendly shell practices, finding tidal treasures, and how to keep the beach safe for local wildlife, including human visitors. Dig through real sand to see what you can find and review best beach practices. Sand Scavengers includes a fun craft along with ID resources for shells and shark teeth to help with your beach treasure hunts.
Our Education Manager, Jamie Justice will present this fun, interactive program. Jamie 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.
Enjoy an entertaining and educational presentation at the Museum of Coastal Carolina. The Sandbar Lecture Series brings local experts to speak about topics ranging from our coastal environment to Outer Banks history. Sandbar lectures are free with Museum admission.
Tuesday, June 20 at 6:00 pm, join Matt Collogan for an in-depth look at how to create habitat for wildlife such as butterflies and other pollinators. The presentation will describe practices and principles that can be adopted in any landscape, with specific recommendations for southeastern NC. The Nature at Home program is facilitated by Extension Master Gardener volunteers based out of the New Hanover County Arboretum. Program participants schedule time for trained Master Gardeners to visit residents, review the plants and practices, and offer recommendations through a site report. Learn more here: newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/nature-at-home
Collogan is a UNCW Environmental Studies graduate and a certified Environmental Educator. He worked for nine years at Airlie Gardens and is now the Consumer Horticulture agent for the NC Cooperative Extension Service based at the New Hanover County Arboretum. Collogan is a proponent of sustainable gardening and owns a small mixed produce farm in Hightsville where he actively composts and uses cover crops. Collogan was a founding member of the Coastal Composting Council in Wilmington, elected to Supervisor of the New Hanover Soil & Water Conservation District in 2021, and this year he joined the NC Composting Council board.
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.
Learn how to prepare your home and family for storms ahead of hurricane season by building an emergency preparedness kit. This lesson is followed by an exciting virtual reality mobile classroom experience: flying inside Hurricane Maria. Strap on a pair of Oculus Quest virtual reality goggles and become immersed in this unique environment.
Our Science in 3D exhibit uses a virtual reality mobile classroom to bring this exciting experience to you! Through VR technology, explore a virtual science laboratory that brings the real world into the lab and teaches the process of science. The Science in 3D program is hosted by Education Manager Jamie Justice, who will help launch each VR adventure and answer questions about the experience. This program is not recommended for children under 8 or people who experience motion sickness.
Join scientists who are investigating the boundary between our Solar System and the rest of our galaxy in IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System.
Designed for visitors with an appreciation for the challenges of space science and a desire to learn more about science research, the show follows the creation of NASA’s Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX). Audiences will get an in-depth look at the mission and how IBEX is collecting high-speed atoms to create a map of our Solar System’s boundary.
Narrated by two inquisitive teenagers, audiences will hear from the scientists and engineers that developed the IBEX mission and created the spacecraft, and get the latest updates on the mission’s discoveries.
Children can test their ocean IQ and learn who really lives in the ocean while being safe. This program is designed to entertain and educate kids about sea life using a fun, interactive format. Kids will learn all about the sea life they are swimming with and the way the animals protect themselves. Safety while at the beach or near water will also be discussed across seven rules such as what to do when swimming alone, how to help someone in the water, etc. Kids will have an opportunity to make sea bottles (plastic bottles that they can fill with shells, crystal sand, and mermaid magic) that they can take home.
Judy Sobota facilitates the All Hands on Deck program. Sobota received her Bachelor’s in Education from Bowling Green State University. She has lived on Ocean Isle Beach for the last 20 years and has been a dependable volunteer maintaining and caring for the fish and sea critters at the Museum of Coastal Carolina.
Take a look at the amazing world of sharks and what makes them unique to other fish. Learn about these powerful predators’ anatomy and bust myths and misconceptions about sharks. Ever wonder if sharks sleep? Are they really people eaters? How many teeth do they have? We’ll delve into these questions and more in this interactive program. Then we’ll discuss some “shark smarts” that will keep you and others safe while you have fun in the sun. Finish with some fun shark art and make a shark craft to take home.
Our Education Manager, Jamie Justice will present this fun, interactive program. Jamie 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.