Museum Events

In this role-playing game, players will represent a team of scientists and engineers sending a spacecraft on a mission to space. They will meet with the surprises, setbacks, and successes that accompany every scientific mission. The player who collects enough data and completes their mission first is the “winner,” but all players are encouraged to complete their mission and discuss their results.

This program will be presented by Katherine (“Kat”) Hunt. Kat is the manager of Ingram Planetarium, the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s sister facility located in Sunset Beach.

Watch museum docents feed the live animals in the museum’s Touch Tank.

If they’re not off fighting a fire, and if the weather cooperates, members of the Ocean Isle Beach Fire & Rescue will bring some of their expertise and lifesaving equipment to the museum’s parking lot. This is always a favorite with the kids, who get to climb on a real fire engine, ask questions, and engage in some fun interactive experiences.

This is a fun and educational program for all children. Kids can test their ocean IQ and learn about the marine animals that live in the ocean. Safety while at the beach or near or in the water will also be discussed — for example, the seven safety rules, such as what to do when swimming alone, how to help someone in the water, etc. Children will safely assist in teaching the program and will receive a sea bottle craft to take home.

Celebrate the Museum of Coastal Carolina’s 30th anniversary with this special program that discusses how the museum came to be. Hear the stories behind some of the museum’s oldest exhibits. Listen to excerpts from First Ladies of OIB telling their stories.

Dinosaurs of Antarctica tells the story of a changing environment at the bottom of the world. In ancient times, dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures roamed freely in a lush landscape. Over millions of years, geologic forces caused massive changes, completely altering the terrain. Today, the continent of Antarctica holds the evidence of that ancient world, frozen beneath its ice and snow. As the climate changes again, melting Antarctic ice is allowing scientists to discover the remains of the past—including the fossils of those distinctive dinosaurs like Cryolophosaurus and Glacialisaurus.

Explore some of the strange creatures that lived on Earth before the dinosaurs. Strap on a virtual reality headset and become immersed in this unique environment.

This program takes a look at the amazing world of sharks and what makes them unique to other fish. Ever wonder if sharks sleep? Are they really people eaters? How many teeth do they have? We’ll delve into these questions and more in this interactive program. Topics include local shark species, basic shark anatomy, and shark smarts. It will also include a shark identification activity and time to go exploring our very own fossil pit outside the museum.