Judy Sobota will give you an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ look at our aquariums, facility operations, and Touch Tank animals. The tour will include the museum’s animal holding tank facilities that are normally closed to the public. Learn what it takes to keep our animals healthy and happy, discover the unique features of the variety of fish in our tanks, and see first hand how the aquariums are managed and operated. This program is part of our involvement with the annual NCSciFest events taking place around the state from April 1-30.
Judy was our past Volunteer Coordinator and is presently a volunteer trainer for Touch Tank responsibilities. She is an expert in many facets of the operation of our Touch Tank and aquariums as well as marine animal care. She is happy to share her knowledge about the many species of animals in the museum.
Brett Riggs discusses Operation Paperclip — the code name under which U.S. intelligence and military services extricated scientists from Germany during and after the final stages of World War II.
As World War II wound down, American and British teams scoured occupied Germany for as much military, scientific, and technological development research as they could uncover. Covert groups began confiscating war-related documents and materials and interrogating scientists. Finally, a list of scientists and engineers that had been put to work for the Third Reich was discovered. Roughly 1,600 German scientists and their families were brought to the United States to work on America’s behalf during the Cold War. The goal was to harness German intellectual resources to help develop superior American technology and weapons against the Soviet Union.
Brett Riggs is a native of Southeastern North Carolina, lives in Shallotte. He has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science. His historical specialty is the Colonial era and the early American republic.
Watch Museum docents feed the animals in the Museum’s Touch Tank.
This NC Sea Grant Coastal Landscape Initiative presentation — ‘Landscapes Inspired by Nature’ — is presented by Vicki Fuhrmann. The presentation focuses on elements that affect gardening in coastal Southeast North Carolina and landscaping with plants that perform well in coastal North Carolina, taking into account environmental conditions such as heat, severe storms and low nutrient soils.
Vicki has been a gardener her entire life, going back to when she was growing up on a dairy farm in Indiana. She is enthusiast about beneficial, sustainable habitat and very knowledgeable about native plants that support pollinators, birds, butterflies and local wildlife. She has been a Master Gardener Volunteer for over 10 years, first in Maryland, then in Brunswick County, NC. She is currently the President of the Brunswick County Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer Association. She is very active in their Plant Sales, a presenter for the Day in the Yard class, and a speaker to community groups on gardening in Brunswick County.
Watch Museum docents feed the animals in the Museum’s Touch Tank.
Plant a tree, save the seas. From trees to the ocean, each part of our environment is connected. By protecting one part, we in turn save another. In our Sea to Tree program, presented by Jamie Justice, we will celebrate Earth Day, explore how all environments are linked, and learn how planting a tree can help save our seas.
Jamie is 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 has worked in a variety of educational positions at summer camps and schools.
Watch Museum docents feed the animals in the Museum’s Touch Tank.
In this program, Jamie Justice will investigate how clouds are formed, how storms develop, and how clouds make rain. Jamie has some engaging and fun explorations and activities planned for this program.
Jamie is 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 has worked in a variety of educational positions at summer camps and schools.
Watch Museum docents feed the animals in the Museum’s Touch Tank.
North Carolina has long been known for its seven beacons of light that stretch from the Outer Banks to the Brunswick Islands. In this program, Keith Eades will discuss each lighthouse and explain what makes it unique.
Keith is a life-long North Carolinian who has been interested in the coastal areas of the state for some time. He is a retired educator and a life-long learner. Currently a resident of Oak Island, he enjoys all things Southeastern North Carolina.