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.
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.
Strap on a virtual reality (VR) headset and get a 360-degree view of the ocean. Dive with fish, sharks, turtles, and more to learn about these amazing animals and their habitat.
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. On Mondays and Fridays in the summer, Science in 3D will take you under the sea to explore the ocean and all the unique creatures found within it.
Memorial Day through Labor Day Science in 3D: Ocean Explorer is offered every Monday and Friday at 1:00 pm. 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.
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.
Strap on a virtual reality (VR) headset and get a 360-degree view of the ocean. Dive with fish, sharks, turtles, and more to learn about these amazing animals and their habitat.
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. On Mondays and Fridays in the summer, Science in 3D will take you under the sea to explore the ocean and all the unique creatures found within it.
Memorial Day through Labor Day Science in 3D: Ocean Explorer is offered every Monday and Friday at 1:00 pm. 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.
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.
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.
Marine Mammal Biologist Dr. Michael Tift will describe what it’s like to work with marine mammals in the wild. Tift will explain interesting behaviors characteristic of wild marine mammals, including h
olding their breath for over two hours, diving more than two miles deep in the ocean, and stranding themselves. Tift will also discuss his career in marine mammal biology and work done with the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program.
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.
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.