The ultimate goal of the North Carolina Estuarium is to promote stewardship of our estuaries. This, in turn, will enhance the students' understanding of the role they play within their home watershed. A healthy estuarine system is important to sustaining a healthy aquatic life. We are each individually responsible for our water resources; education can be the first step towards making a difference in North Carolina's water quality.

Home School Days
This fall home school programs are suitable for ages 6-12. Admission to the Estuarium is $3.00 adults and $2.00 students. Programs begin at 11:00 and the program fee is $2.00 per student. Children under 5 are admitted free. Reservations for programs are required. Call 252.948.0000. A specially designed scavenger hunt is an enrichment activity for students while touring the museum. This scavenger hunt at the museum is for grade levels 3-7 and grades 8-12, and is available below. Clipboards and pencils are furnished.

Scavenger Hunts
Reinforce the educational experience by participating in a Scavenger Hunt. Scavenger Hunt worksheets are available free of charge for grades 3-7 and 8-12. The Estuarium will supply clip boards and pencils for use during the visit.

Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (grades 8-12)
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet Answers (grades 8-12)
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet (grades 3-7)
Scavenger Hunt Worksheet Answers (grades 3-7)

• Environmental Education Programs.Complement your visit with one of our entertaining programs. Programs offered at the Estuarium focus on specific groups of animals, their habitat, characteristics, and their place in the estuarine system. Students and teachers are encouraged to learn more about these topics, and to practice good stewardship of our natural resources by such simple measures as picking up litter, recycling, and conserving water. All programs can be modified for ability and age of the students. Programs can be correlated to the North Carolina standard course of study. The following programs are available:
• Birds.What makes a bird a bird? Students learn the answer when we "Build a Bird" using a volunteer from the audience. We dress him up with bird attributes, such as beaks, wings, and air sacs, and the students enjoy the fun and learn about birds. Birds' habitat, nesting, migration, songs, special adaptations and extinction are also included.
• Black Bears. This program includes a unique video of bears in Hyde County. It provides a good basis for learning about the bear's habitat, physical features, and relationship with man. As the human and black bear populations continue to grow, more contact is inevitable. The subjects of safety and self-defense are discussed.
• Crabs.The blue crab is the mascot of the Estuarium. This estuarine crustacean is a wonderfully complex and interesting creature. Habitat, life cycle, and physical characteristics are included.
• Nature Sings and the Banjo Rings. This program is enjoyed by the younger visitors. Our educator sings nature songs with the children, and uses a myriad of puppets to enliven the program.
• Plants. We'd be lost without them! Our newest program focuses on the habitat plants require to flourish, specialized plant parts, pollination, and human and animal dependence onplants. Different categories such as "weeds" and "native plants" are explained. Live plant specimens provide opportunities for "hands-on" experience.
• Reptiles and Amphibians.These animals abound in eastern North Carolina because of the abundant wetlands. The life cycle and unique physical characteristics of turtles, snakes, lizards and alligators are discussed. The differences between reptiles and amphibians are pointed out.
• Wetlands and Wonderful! Children learn about the many benefits of wetlands. Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife, act as a sponge to aid in flood control, and help filter pollution. A wetland area and board walk have recently been completed adjacent to the Estuarium, and students are encouraged to walk the walk and see the plants and wildlife that populate the wetlands.

Program Fees
Add a $2 program fee per group member for a total of $4 per student and $5 per adult for program and admission. Adult guests accompanying school groups pay only the $3 admission fee.

Contact Us
For more information about programs or arranging a group visit, call 252.948.0000 or contact us at estuarium@embarqmail.com.