This fall, on Thursdays at 11:00, the Museum of Coastal Carolina invites preschoolers to a fun, educational series of programs called Budding Scientists. Do you know a child who loves to explore outside, collect bugs and plants, or dig for shells at the beach? Bring him or her to the museum where young science lovers can learn all about our local environment through fun science experiments.
Each month, the program focuses on a different theme:
September – Budding Scientists become Super Earth Protectors by learning about different types of pollution and how to help protect the environment.
October – Budding Scientists learn Spooky Science by making a ghoulish potion, learning all about pumpkins, and performing some creepy chemistry experiments.
November – Budding Scientists learn about Backyard Science by investigating different types of soil, birds, and bugs.
December – Budding Scientists become Budding Meteorologists by learning how thunderstorms form, how to make snow, and how the ocean affects weather.
These programs will be hosted by Jamie Justice, the Education Coordinator 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. Jamie is originally from Portsmouth, Ohio and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for graduate school in 2017. Before coming to the Museum, she worked in a variety of educational positions at summer camps and schools.
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.
Go for the gold! Complete different challenges to learn all about the properties of water. This family friendly program will use different science demonstrations and activities to explore characteristics of water including capillary action, surface tension, and cohesion.
This program is presented by Jamie Justice, the Education Coordinator 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. Jamie is originally from Portsmouth, Ohio and moved to Wilmington, North Carolina for graduate school in 2017. Before coming to the Museum, she worked in a variety of educational positions at summer camps and schools.
Join this sensory experience unlike any other as live lighting and laser effects accompany classic hits heard through the area’s best sound system.
Come and enjoy an array of stories inspired by the stars in this relaxing Sunday afternoon star show.
Join this sensory experience unlike any other as live lighting and laser effects accompany classic hits heard through the area’s best sound system.
Experience what it might be like to work on a moon base in this unique immersive game. This is a free event (donations welcome) but reservations are required – call Ingram Planetarium at 910-575-0033 to reserve your spot.
This program concerns North Carolina ocean animal rescue efforts including the Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The program will also include a discussion of the largest marine mammal hospital in the world in California that has rescued over 25,000 sea lions and seals. All of these rescue efforts have a similar purpose: rescue, rehabilitation, and release. The program will detail why an animal needs to be rescued, how it is rescued, and what determines if and when the animal is released. The program will have a brief discussion of how the health of ocean animals is connected to the health of the ocean. The program will include an art activity for children.
Modern technology provides us with many opportunities to explore the natural history of our surroundings. Satellite images of the East Coast from New Jersey to Georgia clearly show circular or elliptical areas in undeveloped land. The coastal areas of North and South Carolina have perhaps the highest density of these areas – the Carolina Bays. In this program, Mr. Ovsenik will explain how to spot them and what is known about them, as well as the leading hypotheses regarding their formation. Perhaps you live on what was once a Carolina Bay.
Ed Ovsenik received a BA in Biology, worked towards an MS in Marine Botany, and has a Juris Doctorate in Law. His career was centered on Environmental, Health, and Safety compliance in government and industry, including technology driven companies in the chemical and computer software sectors. He currently advises clients on Governance, Risk, and Compliance issues impacting their for-profit and non-profit organizations. During his career, Mr. Ovsenik worked closely with students on technical and scientific matters. His current interests include researching the genesis of Carolina Bays, photographing the Green Swamp ecosystem, and researching the timber and lumber industry of the Green Swamp and the Marine Stores industry in Brunswick County during the 18th and 19th centuries.