The North Carolina Maritime Museum, in partnership with the North Carolina Coastal Reserve/National Estuarine Research Reserve, plans to give students an opportunity to learn about the natural and maritime history of coastal North Carolina through creative, hands-on experiences.
For over 50 years, the Summer Science Program has taught children the wonders of the maritime environment, offering students the opportunity to learn about the natural and maritime history of coastal North Carolina during the school break. These courses are offered from June through August.
The 2025 programs are posted online, and registration is open.
For more information, contact Programs Registrar Ashley Griffin at sharon.griffin@dncr.nc.gov.
Scholarships for Students
A limited number of scholarships are available. Contact Christine Brin at 252-504-7743 or email christine.brin@dncr.nc.gov for information or to apply.
Courses offered for the 2025 Summer Science School
Entering Grades 1 and 2
Pirate’s Life
July 29-30
Aug. 7-8
Young mariners and their fearless captain will work together to learn how sailors lived aboard a ship while sailing the seas. The crew will set the rules of the ship and go on a worthy treasure hunt through the museum. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Fee: $90.
Seashore Life 1
July 1-2
July 31-Aug. 1
Investigate coastal marine life of the tidal flats, salt marshes, and sounds on local islands during this two-day class. The field-based classes include ferry ride, barrier island hiking, and animal identification. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Fee: $90.
Entering Grade 3 & 4
Fish & Fishing
June 24-25
July 15-16
Children will learn about coastal fish and fishing methods. Cane poles, bait, and tackle are provided for dock fishing, seine nets will also be used along a tidal flat. Students also use nets to catch and identify marine life in nearshore waters and create take-home artwork to share with their families. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Fee: $90.
Model Boats
June 26-27
July 17-18
During this course, students will build a model boat at the museum’s Watercraft Center. They will use museum exhibits and field trips to learn about work boats and boats used for charter fishing and commercial fishing. The types of fish targeted by people fishing aboard these vessels will be discussed as well. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Fee: $90.
Entering Grades 4-6
Seashore Life II
July 16-18
Aug. 5-7
Investigate coastal marine life of the tidal flats, salt marshes, and sounds on local islands during this three-day class. The field-based classes include ferry ride, barrier island hiking, and animal identification. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Fee: $120.
Entering Grades 7-10
Coastal Adventures
July 22-25
Students will learn, more in depth, the importance of estuaries and coastal processes in this four-day camp that includes a field trip to the Rachel Carson Reserve, plankton observing, squid dissections, bird watching, and many more hands-on scientific experiments. The course runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Fee: $160.
Summer Science School programs are sponsored by the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort.