The North Carolina Estuarium explores the unique place where salt and fresh water meet and mix, creating one of our state’s most important ecosystems. With more than 200 exhibits, visitors can watch fish swim in aquariums, see crabs and other estuarine life up close, and discover artifacts from life along the Pamlico River. Interactive displays and hands-on activities help bring the story of hurricanes, sea level rise, and coastal heritage to life. The Estuarium also highlights the incredible variety of wildlife that call our estuaries home—from shrimp and crabs to dolphins, alligators, and osprey. School groups and visitors of all ages join us to learn why these waters are vital nurseries for sea life and some of North Carolina’s most valuable natural resources. With boat tours, special programs, and fascinating exhibits, the North Carolina Estuarium may be your next favorite field trip!

Field Trips Include:

• Sculpture Talk featuring the enormous and interactive lobby art sculpture
• NCE Exhibit Hall Scavenger Hunt (grade-level appropriate)
• Environmental Education Program designed specifically to meet NC science standards (2023) and take into consideration students’ needs
• River Roving Boat Trip down the Pamlico River, available for an extra cost. Designed for smaller groups, each trip can accommodate 10 students
• “Journey through the Peninsula” short film showcasing the subtle beauty of this amazing ecosystem

Download our brochure here

We have programming for the following NC Science Standards:

PS.K.1.1, LS.K.1.1-2, LS.K.2.1-2 , LS.1.1.1-2, ESS.1.2.1-2, ESS.1.3.1, LS.2.1.1-2, LS.2.2.1, LS.3.2.1-2, LS.3.3.1-2, LS.4.1.1-2, LS.4.2.1-2, ESS.4.3.1-2, LS.5.1.1-2, LS.5.2.1-3. LS.5.3.1-2, LS.6.1.1-3, ESS.6.2, ESS.6.3, ESS.7.2.1-3, ESS.8.2.1, ESS.8.3.1-2.

Have Questions? Contact the Executive Curator, Katie McCullough, by email.

ON THE PIEDMONT EAST TRAIL

Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill, NC, Orange County

With programs designed to engage young learners, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center knows how to bring science to life. Their offerings align with North Carolina Essential Standards, ensuring your experience will enhance your classroom instruction, whether you choose to travel to their site in Chapel Hill or bring them to your school through their outreach programs. On-site experiences at Morehead include a full dome planetarium, museum featuring interactive exhibits, and many other science learning programs. Outreach experiences feature their mobile planetarium dome, classroom lessons, and more. Fill out a reservation form on our site today to get started.

*Questions? Contact the Manager for School/Public Programs, Whit McMillan by email.

ON THE PIEDMONT WEST TRAIL

Catawba Science Center, Hickory, NC, Catawba County

Catawba Science Center offers over 30 hands-on programs for students in grades kindergarten through 9^th grade, designed to support NC Essential Science Standards and spark greater curiosity and increased interest in the subjects presented. Class topics include anatomy, matter, forces and magnetism - with each grade having multiple choices for engaging learning. Field trips to the museum allow students to explore exhibit galleries about the solar system, Newtonian physics, the human body, and more - plus aquarium areas with both freshwater and saltwater life. Opportunities in the digital Millholland Planetarium include instructor-led classes that address grade-specific content as well as awe-inspiring featured shows, including the topics of weather, coral reefs, and dinosaurs. Most classes are available as outreach opportunities in schools too. Programs designed for large groups, assemblies, and the family science festival, can be presented at schools for students during the learning day or after-hours for parent nights. In all offerings to educational partners, CSC hopes to fulfill it's mission of changing lives and inspiring learning through science and wonder!

*Questions? Contact the Programs Director, Erin Graves by email

ON THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI), Rosman, NC, Transylvania County

PARI offers teachers and education partners immersive learning experiences that bring space science and STEM to life. Students can explore the universe through planetarium shows, hands-on experiments, and interactive demonstrations that connect directly to classroom learning. Whether visiting PARI’s campus or through outreach programs brought to schools, learners engage with authentic scientific tools, museum exhibits, and activities that foster curiosity and discovery. These experiences are designed to be age-appropriate and adaptable, giving educators flexible ways to enrich their curriculum while inspiring students to see themselves as scientists and explorers.

*Questions? Contact Laura Galloway with Community Outreach by email.

ON OUR STATEWIDE TRAIL

Muddy Sneakers, Fall Field Trips

Did you know fall is one of the best times to explore North Carolina’s terrestrial ecosystems? With leaves falling and wildlife preparing for winter, the forest floor comes alive with activity.

During Muddy Sneakers' Terrestrial Ecosystems Field Trips, 4th and 5th grade students explore the woods and:

1. Categorize creatures as producers, consumers, or decomposers
2. Investigate a rotting log or square foot of ground
3. Play interactive games like “Oh Deer!” to learn about food webs
4. Discover the impact humans have on natural spaces

*Learn more or request your program here: Terrestrial Ecosystems at Muddy Sneakers

*If you would like to find out more about starting a school or classroom partnership with Muddy Sneakers, please email Erica Brown.

NC State Parks Partners

Fall is a fantastic time to explore nature in North Carolina. Enter NC State Parks! There are so many State Parks in all regions of the state. Rangers are there to help guide your class through beautiful terrain with fascinating stories about North Carolina's history, both natural and cultural. And all State Parks qualify for the state's Field Trip Fund. Please see details below if you need funds for amazing hands-on field trips for your classroom.

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State Parks Classroom Field Trips to Consider:

(1) Carolina Beach State Park (Coastal) offers a Carnivorous Plant Hike that is perfect for all ages to learn about the unique Venus Fly Trap that only grows within a small radius around the Wilmington region.

(2) Carver's Creek State Park (Piedmont East) offers a fantastic visit to the longleaf pine ecosystem for 4th-12th graders to learn more about how fire plays an important role in maintaining these trees and the animals that rely on them.

(3) Morrow Mountain State Park (Piedmont West) has an incredible Water Program that involves taking 4th-12th graders for a day on the water to learn about freshwater ecosystems. Learn about water safety, watersheds, and learn to work together to row the big canoes. Inquire about water quality testing for older kids.

Virtual Options Needed?

Can't get out for a field trip, but still want to learn about NC State Parks or North Carolina's natural lands? Try a Virtual Field Trip through one of three state parks that are currently available. Reach out to NCST staff here if you're interested in scheduling a virtual slot with a Ranger:

• Hammocks Beach (Coastal)
• Gorges State Park (Mountain)
• Jockey's Ridge State Park (Coastal)

State Park Highlight... Lake James State Park

(Mountain Region)

Katie Gray is a State Park Ranger and a Parks in Schools Specialist at Lake James State Park. Katie is one of our very special rangers who connects with kids and shows them how much fun science and nature education really can be. I reached out to Katie to ask her what some of her favorite field trips have been recently and here's what she told me:

"At Hildebran Elementary School I led an "Introduction to Rocks and Minerals" for their 4th graders. We started out with a game where the students had to describe an object to me, and I would draw it EXACTLY as they described. We all had to pretend like we had never seen one of these objects before. The kids first had to describe a gray squirrel stuffed animal with enough detail that I was able to draw it. It was a hilarious game! I drew exactly what the students told me, and it looked like a very scary animal. We also discussed how difficult it must be to write a description for different rock types. Rock descriptions need to be very detailed so that you can identify the one you are looking at! We used these skills of observation and had a Rock Scavenger Hunt. The goal of this scavenger hunt was to correctly identify 15 different types of rocks. Once they thought they had the correct name written they would re-hide the rock sample and go look for another. Each student had a flip book with an image to find, along with 4-5 descriptors for the rock samples. This game was so fun, and I really think the students could have continued to identify rocks for 45 minutes!

We’ve also had several programs where classes come to the Lake and we take the big canoes out to talk about weathering and erosion around Lake James. On the visits, we talk about the positive and negative human impacts of creating a lake. These discussions all happen while students are paddling a 25-foot canoe on Lake James. They have to learn to paddle together and work together as a team! We can cater this program to almost any science standards. In conjunction with this, we usually do Build-a-Lake tables. At these hands-on interactive tables, students have to make mountains out of sand, and see how a river changes the landscape. They can see erosion occur in real time! We then challenge them to create a landscape of their choosing, maybe a State Park, maybe a housing development. We let them build and decorate their land and then turn the water back on to observe if they were successful in creating what they wanted. This program is all STEM-focused on the engineering design process. It is a fabulous program that helps kids to see how water moves through a landscape, how water shapes a landscape, and how humans can change the landscape."

Want to book a field trip with Katie at Lake James? Email her today!

Field Trip Funding

Looking for a field trip to give your students a better hands-on opportunity, but can't figure out the funding piece? If field trip fees are a concern for you or your school, please check out The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund. This fund from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) opens the door for students across North Carolina to embark on unforgettable educational adventures. Find one of the many possible field trips across the state with this handy map of the DNCR field trip sites. We are partners with so many of these sites! If we can help, please reach out. Don’t miss this chance to bring learning to life—apply today!

A DNCR LHH fully-funded field trip...

What does that look like? It looks like success for your students!

Reaching All Minds Academy visited Eno River State Park 

Teacher Bong Bryan Advincula took his 8^th graders to study water quality and more.

"During our field trip to the Eno River State Park, students participated in a variety of hands-on environmental science activities designed to deepen their understanding of ecosystems, water quality, and biodiversity. The experience began with a short guided hike, during which a park ranger discussed the unique ecological diversity of the state park, pointing out plant and animal species native to the area. Students were then divided into two groups.

One group conducted a water flow activity, using rubber ducks to measure the river's flow rate based on water depth, width, and travel time—an engaging way to understand stream velocity and data collection. The second group participated in the water bugs activity, using nets to collect macroinvertebrates from the river. The park ranger provided an informative session on identifying these organisms and how their presence serves as indicators of water quality.

Afterward, the groups switched activities to ensure all students had both experiences. In addition, students collected river water samples and used a low-cost water analysis kit to test for multiple parameters, including chlorine, total hardness, iron, pH, alkalinity, copper, iron bacteria, nitrates, nitrites, and hydrogen sulfide. Despite the lack of professional instruments, the simplified testing process allowed students to apply scientific methods in real-world environmental monitoring.

The most meaningful part of the trip was the students’ direct interaction with the river ecosystem and the opportunity to apply scientific inquiry outside the classroom. It promoted environmental awareness, curiosity, and critical thinking. The trip reinforced science standards while fostering teamwork and engagement with nature."

Interesting Opportunities for Educators and Students

• The Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership builds the connections, confidence, and community educators need to thrive. Ready to take your teaching to the next level? Our 2026-27 fellowship applications are officially open. APPLY NOW.
  
• eCYBERMISSION’s free virtual STEM competition for 6th-9th graders promotes student teamwork and self-discovery. Students select a community problem to address and compete for state, regional, and national awards while teachers receive support through a wealth of resources. Find an overview of the program here.
  
• From Curiosity to Competition: Creating Your STEM Project
  Join us for a 1.5 hour virtual convening where you can follow your curiosity, hear the thinking of others, and learn a bit about using STEM research to explore real world problems that are meaningful to you. Open to all NC High School Students. Register Here.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

STEM West

Foldscope Instruments Workshop

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS

Want to give your students a hands-on experience as they learn about cells and tissues?

Attend a free workshop and learn how to use Foldscope portable, durable, waterproof paper microscopes. Receive a certificate for CEU credit and a class set of scopes and teaching materials valued at over $100!

This workshop is offered October 7th, from 4:00pm-6:30pm at the Foothills Higher Education Center in Morganton. For more information, reach out to cmoore@stemwest.org. Download the flyer here to access the QR code for registration.

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Discovery Place

Free Webinar With Discovery Place: Field Trip Planning Made Simple

Tired of field trip planning stress?

Join DP for a free webinar on Wednesday, October 29 at 4:00 p.m. to discover how you can eliminate some of the field trip planning chaos while ensuring your trip aligns with curriculum standards. In just 30 minutes, the Discovery Place team will show you how to plan field trips that excite students without exhausting you.

Register now: https://www.dpfieldtrips.org/webinar 

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Environmental Educators of North Carolina

Are you interested in JEDI training? This course on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Environmental Education is an online asynchronous course that begins October 20th, 2025. The course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts, and principles of equity work for environmental educators and environmental professionals.

EENC is also offering "Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners". This course will help inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all learners. This is also an online asynchronous course that begins November 3, 2025.

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