Looking for resources appropriate for at-home learning? You’ve come to the right place. Over the years, North Carolina Sea Grant has published a number of articles about coastal flora, fauna and phenomena. Below are some of our top picks. Adults may wish to read these pieces to youngsters, while older kids may enjoy perusing the pages on their own.

If you’re in search of lesson plans and hands-on activities, please see the list of additional resources at the end of this page, as well on the N.C. Water Resources Research Institute’s website and N.C. Space Grant’s website.

Articles

Be sure to check out Coastwatch Classroom, an educator portal that expands on Coastwatch magazine articles.

Animal Societies Explore some of the unique family dynamics of coastal and marine creatures.	A Song Across the Water Seek out these coastal songbirds to watch — and hear.

You Say Starfish, I Say Sea Star Learn about sea star biology and taxonomy.	Sharks of North Carolina Meet common sharks that frequent N.C. waters.

Flora of the Coastal Plain Investigate plants that thrive in often harsh conditions.	Stalking the Wild Sea Lettuce Forage along the N.C. coast for wild delicacies.

Hear the Call of a Maritime Forest Explore a unique — and rare — coastal habitat.	Moving Through the Marsh Tour a saltmarsh and meet some of its denizens.

A Shell’s Life Take a look at the creatures that inhabit shells.	What’s in a Name? Conch vs. Whelk These two common N.C. gastropods have telltale distinctions.

Sand: Hold a Mountain in Your Hand Ever wondered where sand comes from? We’ll explain.	Knowing Beans About the Beach Sea beans are a fun beachcombing treasure with a fascinating history.

Molly by the Sea Join Molly and her grandpa as they explore ecosystems around Ocean Isle Beach.	North Carolina’s Coastal Treasures Tour the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences with Anthony and his class.

Rolling with the Tide: Sun, Moon and Raven Learn what forces shape the tides.

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Additional Resources

Lessons in Mariculture

A flow-through aquaculture system. Illustration by Melissa D. Smith.

These 10 resources introduce high schoolers to various aspects of marine aquaculture, including its history and different production methods.

Oldies But Goodies

Below are digitized collections of classic marine education materials developed in the 1970s and 1980s with assistance and coordination from N.C. Sea Grant. Most of the activities are hands-on and still practical today. These free downloads may come in handy during our “stay home, stay healthy” situation.

Coastal Capers
This collection of activities, intended for kids in grades K-3, introduces the marine environment through a series of “capers” that focus on basic skills in science, art, math, social studies and language arts. Each caper includes purpose, materials, procedure, teacher references, discussion and student reading suggestions.

N.C. Marine Education Manual
These resources can help educators of grades 5-8 in presenting the coast as a setting and subject for study. Classroom activities and laboratory exercises provide students with hands-on experiences.

• Unit 1, Coastal Geology – focuses on the geology and geography of North Carolina’s coastal plain
• Unit 2, Seawater – focuses on the physical and chemical properties of coastal waters
• Unit 3, Coastal Ecology – an introduction to marine organisms and their adaptations
• Unit 4, Coastal Beginnings – an introduction to coastal inhabitants and the relationships between people and the environment

S.E.A. Lab Science Experiments and Activities
This set of science activities for grades 9-12 covers chemistry, biology, physics, physical science and oceanography. Background information for teachers is followed by activities demonstrating basic science principles.

Coastal Processes and Conflicts: North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Researchers and educators designed this resource for grades 7-12 in order to improve understanding of coastal and human processes and conflicts that exist on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Part 1 includes background information on the N.C. coastal region and barrier island dynamics. Part 2 focuses on a specific area explored by teacher-student teams: Highway 12 from Avon to Buxton.

Aquatic and Marine Debris

North Carolina Sea Grant and N.C. Big Sweep produced two activity guides about litter in the aquatic and marine environment. Each activity has the same format: an introductory section that can be read directly to students, followed by objectives, time required, materials and detailed instructions. Extensions and questions for discussion are suggested. A glossary, a resource list and a materials list round out each activity.

• Ripples: A Big Sweep Elementary Guide – a collection of 16 activities for grades 4-6
• Splish Splash: A Big Sweep Aquatic Primer – a collection of 12 activities for grades K-3
• Undercurrents: A Big Sweep Middle School Teacher’s Guide
  • Pages 1-16
  • Pages 17-46
• Related article about curricula, published in Coastwatch magazine

Educators Guide to Marine Debris (PDF)
This guide, developed for both classroom and informal educators, offers activities that introduce the three main types of marine debris: litter, abandoned or derelict boats, and lost or abandoned fishing gear. Aimed at grades 5-8, this booklet focuses on the southeastern states, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

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Contact

If you have questions about any of these resources, contact communications director Katie Mosher at kmosher@ncsu.edu.

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