
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.
Sandbar Lecture presenter Dan Abel, PhD will explain why “Sharks are among the most magnificent and, unjustifiably, most feared beasts on the planet.” H
e’ll discuss sharks along the North Carolina coastline, including their life history, vital importance in ecosystems, biomedical use, humans’ relationship with sharks, threats to sharks’ survival and hope for their future.
Abel’s lifelong association with sharks includes studying shark hearts at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, leading the Coastal Carolina University Shark Project, and encountering sharks at the Bimini Biological Field Station and while teaching with Semester at Sea.


On summer vacation at her grandpa’s, Mia discovers a mysterious piece of astronomical machinery. Edek, Mia’s eccentric uncle, tricks the girl into using the tool’s secret powers to change the world’s seasons. She quickly realizes the consequences of what they are going to do. Edek doesn’t want to let the plan go.
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.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Chichén Itzá, Mexico. Listen to the story of the ancient Maya civilization. Experience Tales of the Maya Skies.
Explore Maya science, art and mythology. Tales of the Maya Skies inspires and educates through its description of the Maya’s astronomical achievements and how astronomy connected them to the Universe.

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.

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.
Join the Museum of Coastal Carolina for a day swarming with shark activities that will inspire curiosity and raise awareness of one of the coast’s most feared ocean creatures. Should humans fear or revere sharks? Determine whether these ocean predators are simply misunderstood through a full schedule of fun for all ages. Shark Soiree is brought to you in collaboration with Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, who will be on site sharing fun shark facts from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Programming includes shark-themed crafts and education stations throughout the Museum’s galleries, the weekly Shark Smarts program, shark study through virtual reality goggles, and an exploration of shark myths and facts.

