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 about creepy critters found along the coast during the Museum’s “Creepy Coastal Crawl.” Guests are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, bring trick-or-treat bags and celebrate animals that most would deem “creepy” at the Museum’s second annual event.”
While exploring the museum and its creepy contents, families can complete hands-on activities featuring a creepy critter from a specific habitat in each gallery. Children can also collect treats donated by sponsors at stations throughout the Museum as they learn about sharks, snakes, bioluminescent jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, insects, and other creatures.
We will read Jenny Jellyfish: A Tale of Wiggly Jellies by Suzanne Tate, a day in the life of Jenny Jellyfish and her friends includes being beached by a storm. Enjoy Jenny’s story, learn how jellies can “glow” in the sea, and make bioluminescent jellyfish.
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.
Sea turtles are frequent visitors to the North Carolina coast, with several individuals nesting on beaches from the Outer Banks to Ocean Isle Beach. Learn about the species of sea turtles in NC, how volunteers and scientists track sea turtle nests, and what everyone can do to protect sea turtles in this fun, interactive program. The program will include a fun sea turtle craft for children to complete.
We will read Mary Manatee: A Tale of Sea Cows by Suzanne Tate. As Mary teaches her son Mikey how to live safely in the waterways and avoid boat propellers, Museum visitors will also explore ways to clean our seas to protect manatees.
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 about critters that can be found in tide pools along the seashore including sea stars and sea urchins. Museum visitors will also make their own sea urchin craft.
Learn how to be a Beach Hero as two entertaining and enthusiastic members of the Oak Island Beach Preservation Society highlight the key roles beaches play in enriching humans’ lives, preserving plant and animal species, and protecting the environment. Topics will include storm surge protection; marine life and health dangers from beach litter; and beach cleanup, scholarship, and educational programs.
Both Sandbar Lecture co-facilitators live in Oak Island, N.C. and enjoy using their skills, experience, and passion for coastal Carolina beaches to advocate for beach preservation. Co-facilitator Rosina Whitfield is a theatre director and educator, most recently as the Artistic Director of the Drama Center in Greensboro, NC. Co-facilitator Emily Dickinson enjoys finding ways to volunteer in her little piece of paradise.
We will read Sam the Sea Cow by Francine Jacobs. Sam is called a sea cow because he looks like a cow grazing in the ocean, but he’s also called a manatee. Meet Sam when he is just hours old and already forty pounds! Watch him grow up and do a fun manatee craft inspired by Sam.