Land Programs

What is an estuary?

Did you know that you are a part of a watershed? What about that estuaries are a nursery for more than 75% of all harvested fish and shellfish? Students will learn about the importance and ecology of estuaries through a study of the flora and fauna found within. Come join is for an in depth look at one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and learn what you can do at home to help keep them safe. Touch tank and live animals included. **we can come to your school! Great for career fairs.

Something’s Fishy

Cast your fishing line and interest this way as we explore the exciting world of fish. Join us as we discover aspects of their body and behavior that make them unique and find out important conservation methods to keep popula-tions healthy for the future.

Choose from the following:

• Gyotaku (fish printing): discover the ancient Asian method of docu-menting fish size! We will use fish stamps to paint and decorate T-shirts, paper and other printable material.
  
  * great for groups k-3rd grade
  
  
• Fishing Basics: introduction to salt water fishing. Reward your high achievers with a lesson from SC DNR staff in fishing regula-tions and techniques. We provide the rod/reels and bait!
  
  **(dependant on class size/advanced notice required)

Planet Plankton

In this activity students will learn about different types of plankton and their importance to life in estuaries. Students will build their own nets and then collect and observe plankton un-der a microscope.

Hooray for Horseshoe crabs

In this activity students will learn the basic anatomical features of horse-shoe crabs that allow them to survive in the estuary environment. Live crabs may be examined dependant on season.
** at your school or on your trip

Turtle Tracks

About 100 species of animals and plants have been recorded living on one single loggerhead, making them an en-tire mobile, living, breathing ecosys-tem. In this activity students will learn about sea turtle biology, migration and nesting that happens right here along the SC coast.

** at your school or on your trip

Field Studies

Middle/High school students

Barrier Islands:

Participants will use the South Carolina Beach-comber’s Guide to identify shells, plants and common invertebrates found along South Caro-lina’s Barrier Island Seashores. Students will participate in seining, tide pool exploration and habitat characterization.

Salt Marsh:

Participants will learn about the importance of marsh and estuarine ecosystems through hands on field activities that include data and specimen collection. ** students will need to wear old clothing and closed toed shoes

Dissections

Middle/High school students at your school or on your trip

Friend or Foe

Did you know that there are over 30 species of sharks off South Carolina's coast? Stu-dents will learn about the different kind of sharks, shark senses, shark myths and shark biology through a variety of demonstrations and activities, including a spiny dogfish shark dissection.

Close Encounters of the Intelligent Kind

How are oysters and octopus related? Did you know that giant squid can reach up to 60 ft long? Come explore two of the most intelligent marine organisms in the ocean: octopus and squid. Think they are just squishy and gross? Think again! Through our in depth study and dissection you will discover just how unique they are!

Feeling Crabby

Did you know that despite the blue crabs fear-some appearance it is actually a beautiful swimmer? This activity includes information about the life cycle and adaptations of the blue crab, importance commercially and rec-reationally and regulations put in place for blue crab conservation. Join us as we take a closer look at the blue crabs body, form and function, through hands on learning activities.

Combine your land program with a trip our on our education vessel the Discovery.