Carolina Ocean Studies
A visit to the beautiful barrier islands and ocean reefs of North Carolina will help students understand the importance of our coastal environment and the habitat of the creatures that live there.
Preview your trip on the web: Carolina Ocean Studies
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- Lesson plan: Changing with the tide Students will learn about and act out the functions of the salt marsh habitat.
- Lesson plan: Leatherback sea turtles and their special compasses Students learn basic information about leatherback sea turtles and hypothesize why individual leatherbacks were able to find their way from Costa Rica to the Galapagos Islands without any obvious navigational aids.
- Lesson plan: Taking care of our oceans Students consider why so many people live near the coast and learn about the impacts of this trend on ocean animals.
- Cape Lookout National Seashore Students will learn about the barrier islands and their importance to the protection of the state of North Carolina. They will also learn about the historical use of the island as well as the plants and animals that can be found there.
- Masonboro Island One of the four sites of the North Carolina National Estuarine Research Reserve. Interpreter led field trips must be reserved two seasons ahead. This is a favorite field trip for many teachers.
- Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Learn about the fascinating history of this protected area off the coast of Georgia and find educational materials, an illustrated fish guide, underwater images, and information about marine science careers. You can even track loggerhead sea turtle movements in the ocean!
- Life on the Reef: A Live Expedition with the American Museum of Natural History Read dispatches from marine biologists studying the reefs in the Bahamas, see underwater photography of some of the amazing creatures that live there, and get a glimpse of the reefs from space.
Related pages
- North Carolina Aquariums: Visit one of the three North Carolina Aquariums and learn about the "diverse natural and cultural resources associated with North Carolina's ocean, estuaries, rivers, streams, and other aquatic environments."
- Camp Don Lee: Check out the programs available to classroom students at this beautiful camp located near Arapahoe, North Carolina.
- Museum of Coastal Carolina and Ingram Planetarium: The museum's exhibits include extensive collections of seashells, saltwater fish, birds, wetland animals, sea animals, live snakes, animal skins, Native American artifacts, and Civil War relics.
Related topics
- Learn more about Cape Lookout, Carteret County, Masonboro Island, New Hanover County, North Carolina, Shackleford Banks, aquatic resources, beach studies, biology, dolphins, environmental science, fishing, gulf stream, lighthouses, marine life, maritime history, ocean reefs, oceanography, ponies, reefs, science, sea turtles, and tidal flats.
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Since 1992, Carolina Ocean Studies has been helping students learn about the North Carolina barrier islands and the creatures that live there. Educational boating cruises to Masonboro Island, Shackleford Banks, and Cape Lookout include activities such as marsh explorations, fishing, crabbing, clamming, and beach studies. All programs for K-12 students are correlated to NC Standard Course of Study.
Carolina Ocean Studies has been working with North Carolina schools for the past 14 years. All the vessels used by Carolina Ocean Studies are United States Coast Guard inspected and certified.
For more information on the programs or to register for a program, call 910-458-7302.
