The Microscopic World of Protista

Have you ever examined a drop of pondwater under a microscope? This droplet contains a variety of living creatures, including protists. Protists are not an animal, plant, or fungi. So what exactly are they? Join us for this zoomed-in view of the protist world using a compound microscope. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual… Read More >

Coastal Carolina Ecosystems

Carolina’s coast is more than just a beach! In this program, students will explore the diverse habitats of our coast, learn how organisms adapt to these wild places, and understand that we are all connected to the coast, no matter where we live! Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect… Read More >

Cheeseburger’s Journey Through the Gut

Follow a cheeseburger as it travels from your plate, through your body, and out! On this journey, students will learn about digestion, nutrients, and anatomy. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator online for an interactive program. Whether your students are learning from home… Read More >

What’s a Bacterium

We hear about bacteria all the time but what are they and where do they live? Why are some our friends and others make us sick. Through pictures, stained images, culture plates, and 3D models learn what they look like, and why they are different from viruses and archaea. Program length is 45 minutes. This… Read More >

Classification and Common Ancestry

What exactly is common ancestry and Evolution? Who was Carl von Linne? What is the difference between classification and identification? What is a phylogeny and how is it important to the classification of organisms? To answer these questions, we will introduce the concept of biological classification and the importance evolution and common ancestry play in… Read More >

Frog Files

Why do frogs make a springtime chorus? How do they adapt in our changing environment? Students will answer these questions, meet freaky frogs, and become amphibian experts during this virtual program. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator online for an interactive program. Whether… Read More >

Butterflies and Moths

Explore the life cycle of insects through a close examination of butterflies and moths. Students will practice their observation skills to learn more about the adaptations of these scale-winged creatures. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator online for an interactive program. Whether your… Read More >

Dinosaurs Roar!

Head back to the Cretaceous and embark on a discovery of Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops and the world around them. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator online for an interactive program. Whether your students are learning from home or in the classroom (or both),… Read More >

Meet the Animals

Meet some of our live animal ambassadors and learn about their characteristics, adaptations, and the important roles they play in our environment. We offer a variety of themes, including reptiles, North Carolina natives, tropical animals and more. To request a specific theme or connection to a unit in your classroom, please include that information when… Read More >

Sticky Science

In this program, students will explore how bio-adhesives are produced and used in the natural world. They will learn about cohesion and adhesion forces, electrostatic and intermolecular forces as well as bio-chemicals that make things stick. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator online… Read More >

Science of Foam

Students will explore the science behind foam. What is foam and how do animals use this special adaptation to their advantage? By incorporating biology (lifecycles), chemistry (molecular structure of surfactants), and technology (Bio-inspiration), students will learn how nature is an inspiring factor for many practical inventions, from insulation to cotton candy. Program length is 45… Read More >

Fossil Discoveries

Our understanding of dinosaurs and prehistoric life is constantly changing with new discoveries. This program will introduce students to fossils and the field of paleontology using natural specimens and replicas to tell the story of Earth’s history. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator… Read More >

Fossils: Windows into the Past

Give your students a unique opportunity to study fossil specimens from North Carolina and elsewhere. Students examine fossils to learn how they form and how fossils tell us about the past. Students also explore how we know the age of fossils and how a geologic map can help with fossil dating and identification. Program length… Read More >

Adaptations in Birds and Mammals

Using specimens from bird and mammal collections, students analyze the similarities and differences in anatomy, form and function between these animal groups and how they are affected by environmental change. Students then develop hypotheses to account for observed patterns and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of specific adaptations. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual… Read More >

Animal Life Cycles

How do living creatures grow and change? Students will explore the life cycles of several groups of animals which may include amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, and mammals. Meet live animals and learn about their stages of development. Program length is 45 minutes. This virtual program is designed to connect your group with a Museum educator… Read More >