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 life cycle and different species of sea turtles, how volunteers track sea turtle nests, and what we can do to protect sea turtles in this fun, interactive program. The program will include a craft for kids to complete and the reading of a fun children’s story.
Learn to separate fact from fiction about sharks, the apex predators off the NC coast. Kristin Holloman-Noe believes that much of what people believe to be true about sharks has been influenced more by fear and misunderstanding than by facts.
Kristin Holloman-Noe is the Education Outreach Coordinator for the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. She is a NC native from Goldsboro and she graduated from East Carolina University. One of her favorite activities is exploring wild habitats with her camera in hand.
Watch museum docents feed the live animals in the museum’s Touch Tank.
Explore some of the strange creatures that lived on Earth before the dinosaurs. Strap on a virtual reality headset and become immersed in this unique environment.
If they’re not off fighting a fire, and if the weather cooperates, members of the Ocean Isle Beach Fire & Rescue will bring some of their expertise and lifesaving equipment to the museum’s parking lot. This is always a favorite with the kids, who get to climb on a real fire engine, ask questions, and engage in some fun interactive experiences.
This is a fun and educational program for all children. Kids can test their ocean IQ and learn about the marine animals that live in the ocean. Safety while at the beach or near or in the water will also be discussed — for example, the seven safety rules, such as what to do when swimming alone, how to help someone in the water, etc. Children will safely assist in teaching the program and will receive a sea bottle craft to take home.
Dinosaurs of Antarctica tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Over millions of years, geologic forces caused massive changes, completely altering the terrain. Today, the continent of Antarctica holds the evidence of that ancient world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past—including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs like Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus.
Explore some of the strange creatures that lived on Earth before the dinosaurs. Strap on a virtual reality headset and become immersed in this unique environment.
This program takes a look at the amazing world of sharks and what makes them unique to other fish. 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. Topics include local shark species, basic shark anatomy, and shark smarts. It will also include a shark identification activity and time to go exploring our very own fossil pit outside the museum.
Do you know how many species of venomous snakes call NC home? Can you tell the difference between a venomous snake and a harmless snake? Matthew Bookout can tell you anything you ever wanted to know about NC’s snakes and other reptiles. He will bring along some of his favorite live animals. His program is preceded by a live snake feeding.