Step into the shoes of working scientists in this family friendly program. Each week, we will feature a different type of scientist, describe the research they conduct, and dive into their world with hands-on activities.
Dates:
Sep 8 Become a marine biologist by studying the life cycles of sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Sep 15 What’s the weather today? Learn how weather works and storms form by becoming a meteorologist.
Sep 22 We’ll use microscopes to identify waterborne organisms as we try our hand at being microbiologists.
Sep 29 Take a closer look at how an ecosystem works. Local ecologists study the marsh ecosystems, such as the Green Swamp.
Oct 6 Astronomer – Study what’s up in the night sky and talk about the influence of light pollution on the night sky.
Oct 13 Aquaculturist – Also known as fish farmers, aquaculturists raise fish and shellfish under controlled conditions.
Oct 20 Paleontologist – Dig deep into the world of dinosaurs! We will unearth field techniques and make a few discoveries of our own.
Oct 27 Herpetologist – Turtles, frogs, and snakes, oh my! Hop on over this week to learn about local reptiles and amphibians.
Nov 3 Wildlife Biologist – Use tracks, trail cameras, and other findings to solve a mystery in the Green Swamp.
Nov 10 Chemist – Put on your safety glasses and make a density potion to learn about different types of chemical reactions.
Nov 17 Oceanographer – Learn about the four sections of oceanography with a fun interactive activity from each section.
Dec 1 Zoologist – Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Learn all about the different types of animals and all that goes into properly maintaining them in captivity as we talk about zoologists.
Dec 8 Botanist – Dive into the world of plants and learn what it is like to be a botanist! We will focus on plants for pollinators and explore pollination through hands-on activities.
Dec 15 Ornithologist – This week is all about birds! Learn how scientists identify and track birds through fun, interactive activities as we take flight as ornithologists.
Dec 22 Naturalist – Take a walk out in nature and become a naturalist. Piece together animal evidence commonly found near trails to solve a mystery in this fun, educational program.
Dec 29 Geologist – Rocks rock! Explore the different types of rock as we dig for treasures in this fun, interactive program experiencing the world of geologists.
Jamie Justice is the creator of Spotlight Science. Justice is the Education Manager 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.

Teachers and administrators in Brunswick and surrounding counties are invited to visit the Museum of Coastal Carolina for free with school ID from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, Oct 6. Come learn all that the museum and planetarium have to offer with door prizes, a tour of the museum, special activities, and a preview of the planetarium. Teachers will have the opportunity to reserve a date for field trips for their school and earn an individual membership to the museum. Preregistration is suggested, although not required, as space is limited.
Register below:
Loading…
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.
Join us the second Saturday of every month for our Community Conservation program. There are many organizations throughout the region that work to conserve, protect, and educate about local habitats and species. Each month, we will feature one of these organizations. Representatives from each will be on site for a family friendly program.

Join the Museum of Coastal Carolina and Black Sails Adventures to learn more about the infamous ‘gentleman’ pirate and collaborator of Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet. The Sandbar Lecture Series brings local experts to speak about topics ranging from our coastal environment to Outer Banks history.
Black Sails Adventures is a pirate reenactment and entertainment group based in Oak Island, NC. Black Sails will present the legendary Stede Bonnet, told in full costume and first person perspective. From Black Sails, “My name is Stede Bonnet…and this be my story.” Hear how his choices and journeys not only made him different, but also at times clueless.
Pirates are an important part of the maritime history of the Carolinas. Since the late 1500’s the Outer Banks have been a hotbed of piratical activities. The nearness of the gulf stream combined with shallow waters and sandbars made the Outer Banks an ideal location for piracy.
Step into the shoes of working scientists in this family friendly program. Each week, we will feature a different type of scientist, describe the research they conduct, and dive into their world with hands-on activities.
Dates:
Sep 8 Become a marine biologist by studying the life cycles of sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Sep 15 What’s the weather today? Learn how weather works and storms form by becoming a meteorologist.
Sep 22 We’ll use microscopes to identify waterborne organisms as we try our hand at being microbiologists.
Sep 29 Take a closer look at how an ecosystem works. Local ecologists study the marsh ecosystems, such as the Green Swamp.
Oct 6 Astronomer – Study what’s up in the night sky and talk about the influence of light pollution on the night sky.
Oct 13 Aquaculturist – Also known as fish farmers, aquaculturists raise fish and shellfish under controlled conditions.
Oct 20 Paleontologist – Dig deep into the world of dinosaurs! We will unearth field techniques and make a few discoveries of our own.
Oct 27 Herpetologist – Turtles, frogs, and snakes, oh my! Hop on over this week to learn about local reptiles and amphibians.
Nov 3 Wildlife Biologist – Use tracks, trail cameras, and other findings to solve a mystery in the Green Swamp.
Nov 10 Chemist – Put on your safety glasses and make a density potion to learn about different types of chemical reactions.
Nov 17 Oceanographer – Learn about the four sections of oceanography with a fun interactive activity from each section.
Dec 1 Zoologist – Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Learn all about the different types of animals and all that goes into properly maintaining them in captivity as we talk about zoologists.
Dec 8 Botanist – Dive into the world of plants and learn what it is like to be a botanist! We will focus on plants for pollinators and explore pollination through hands-on activities.
Dec 15 Ornithologist – This week is all about birds! Learn how scientists identify and track birds through fun, interactive activities as we take flight as ornithologists.
Dec 22 Naturalist – Take a walk out in nature and become a naturalist. Piece together animal evidence commonly found near trails to solve a mystery in this fun, educational program.
Dec 29 Geologist – Rocks rock! Explore the different types of rock as we dig for treasures in this fun, interactive program experiencing the world of geologists.
Jamie Justice is the creator of Spotlight Science. Justice is the Education Manager 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.
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.

Come visit us during OysterFest and learn about the life of the star of the festival, the oyster! Learn about the lifecycle of an oyster, the role oysters play in the environment, and how oyster shells are used to protect the coast. This interactive program will be available from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 to 4:00 pm Sunday. Activities will include investigating oyster anatomy, strolling through an imaginary saltwater marsh, and the building of living shorelines and other oyster shell uses.
Step into the shoes of working scientists in this family friendly program. Each week, we will feature a different type of scientist, describe the research they conduct, and dive into their world with hands-on activities.
Dates:
Sep 8 Become a marine biologist by studying the life cycles of sharks, dolphins, and whales.
Sep 15 What’s the weather today? Learn how weather works and storms form by becoming a meteorologist.
Sep 22 We’ll use microscopes to identify waterborne organisms as we try our hand at being microbiologists.
Sep 29 Take a closer look at how an ecosystem works. Local ecologists study the marsh ecosystems, such as the Green Swamp.
Oct 6 Astronomer – Study what’s up in the night sky and talk about the influence of light pollution on the night sky.
Oct 13 Aquaculturist – Also known as fish farmers, aquaculturists raise fish and shellfish under controlled conditions.
Oct 20 Paleontologist – Dig deep into the world of dinosaurs! We will unearth field techniques and make a few discoveries of our own.
Oct 27 Herpetologist – Turtles, frogs, and snakes, oh my! Hop on over this week to learn about local reptiles and amphibians.
Nov 3 Wildlife Biologist – Use tracks, trail cameras, and other findings to solve a mystery in the Green Swamp.
Nov 10 Chemist – Put on your safety glasses and make a density potion to learn about different types of chemical reactions.
Nov 17 Oceanographer – Learn about the four sections of oceanography with a fun interactive activity from each section.
Dec 1 Zoologist – Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Learn all about the different types of animals and all that goes into properly maintaining them in captivity as we talk about zoologists.
Dec 8 Botanist – Dive into the world of plants and learn what it is like to be a botanist! We will focus on plants for pollinators and explore pollination through hands-on activities.
Dec 15 Ornithologist – This week is all about birds! Learn how scientists identify and track birds through fun, interactive activities as we take flight as ornithologists.
Dec 22 Naturalist – Take a walk out in nature and become a naturalist. Piece together animal evidence commonly found near trails to solve a mystery in this fun, educational program.
Dec 29 Geologist – Rocks rock! Explore the different types of rock as we dig for treasures in this fun, interactive program experiencing the world of geologists.
Jamie Justice is the creator of Spotlight Science. Justice is the Education Manager 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.
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.