As the last of the Thanksgiving Day leftovers are eaten (and a few more tryptophan-induced naps enjoyed), we gear up for the next phase of the holiday season rush: decorating, travel planning, gift shopping, and more cooking and baking (and eating). Now that those "false fall" periods appear to have ended, it's also time to swap out summer clothing and bedding for blankets, sweaters, and wool socks. Even in nature, we can witness adaptations to cooler temperatures: deer and otters grow thicker coats, and some birds, such as ducks and geese, have down feathers for added warmth. These soft, fluffy down feathers are found underneath the outer wings and serve to provide additional insulation. Our featured species this month, the downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), is aptly named based on the down-like feathers present across its body. Considered the smallest of the woodpeckers, these year-round birds are commonly found across the state, inhabiting wooded areas, such as forests and parks, creating nesting cavities in dead trees. Distinguished by their black-and-white markings across the body, males sport a red patch on the top of the head that is absent on females. Because of their small size (~ 6 inches), downy woodpeckers can hunt for their preferred diet of insects and larvae in small spaces that their larger relatives cannot easily access.

So, as you get bundled up for the cooler months ahead, be sure to check out and "get down" with these educational opportunities from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) and our partners!



Photo Credit: E.V. Bell

Educator Professional Development

Educator Science Café: The Art of Camouflage

January 23, 2025

Holy City Brewing (North Charleston, S.C.)

Now you see us, now you don't! Join Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum and the Consortium for our next Educator Science Café where we will blend the science of camouflage with art, engineering, and design! Join subject matter experts at Holy City Brewing to learn about the ways wildlife use camouflage to survive and how engineers and artists have drawn inspiration from the environment to design ships and other technology. Standards-based classroom lessons and ideas that incorporate art and science to teach camouflage will be shared and the USS Yorktown Foundation will provide appetizers. This event is free to attend but pre-registration is required by January 21. Questions can be sent to Hannah Kratz and E.V. Bell.

EEASC-SCMEA Meet Up: Forest Bathing

January 25, 2025, from 10 am–1:30 pm

Caw Caw Interpretive Center (Ravenel, S.C.)

No bubble bath needed! Join the South Carolina Marine Educators Association (SCMEA) and the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) for our first meet up of 2025! Naturalists with the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission will lead participants through the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, during a moderately slow-paced trail walk. Through the practice of shinrin-yoku, participants will connect with their natural surroundings through their five senses ... actual bathing is not required! The program is offered free of charge for any SCMEA and/or EEASC member, or those interested in learning about these organizations. Lunch and drinks will be provided and an optional, self-led trail walk is available after the two-hour forest bathing program. The deadline to register is January 20, 2025. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell or Heidi Champion.

Project Learning Tree: Explore Your Environment

February 14, 2025

Santee Canal Park (Moncks Corner, S.C.)

Join educators from the S.C. Forestry Commission and Old Santee Canal Park for an "Explore Your Environment" professional development event designed for K–8th grades! Participants will receive hands-on training with Project Learning Tree’s flagship curriculum Explore Your Environment: K–8 Activity Guide that provides 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature and increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their environment. Activities include detailed step-by-step instructions, S.C. Department of Education (SCDE) academic correlations, time and material requirements, and corresponding student worksheets with green career connections. This event is pre-approved for five SCDE renewal credits. For more information and to register, please visit the S.C. Project Learning Tree program website. Questions can be sent to Matt Schnabel.

Save-the-Date!

Microscopy Educator Workshop

March 14, 2025

Hollings Marine Laboratory (Charleston, S.C.)

Formal educators are invited to join National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) Hollings Marine Laboratory scientists and Consortium education staff for an engaging, hands-on workshop about using microscopes in the classroom. The content is aligned with the 2021 College- and Career-Ready Science Standards for grades 4–12, and participants will learn about different microscopes, general maintenance and upkeep, classroom applications, and current coastal research. The workshop is offered free of charge and registration will open in January 2025 via the Consortium's education webpage. Questions can be sent to Morgan Treon.

K–12 Student Opportunities

Marine Debris Art Contest

Deadline for Entries: December 13, 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program invites students in grades K–8 to submit artwork as part of an annual contest designed to raise awareness about marine debris. Winning entries will be featured in the 2025 calendar and provide a daily reminder of how important it is to be responsible stewards of the ocean. For more information on the submission requirements, please visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

Employment Opportunities

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is hiring! We are currently seeking to fill the position of Assistant Director for Research and Partnerships. To learn more about this position and how to apply, please visit the Consortium's Career Page.

Environmental Educator

S.C. Department of Natural Resources

Deadline to Apply: December 18, 2024

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is hiring an environmental educator who will conduct vessel- and land-based educational programs for K–12 students, teachers, and the general public at the Marine Resources Center, in the ACE Basin, and other SCDNR facilities. To learn more and apply, please visit the SCDNR the website.

Volunteer Opportunities

Team Ecology

April 4–11, 2025

Joe Adair Environmental Education Center (Laurens, S.C.)

Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Team Ecology environmental education day at the Joe Adair Environmental Education Center! During this event, third graders will rotate through nine stations designed to promote earth-friendly habits. To learn more about the event and volunteer opportunities, please contact Tanya Towne.

Awards and Grants

Upcoming: S.C. Sea Grant Consortium FY26–28 Request for Proposals

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is preparing to announce its FY26–28 Request for Proposals (RFP). Studies involving multi-disciplinary approaches with state/regional/national significance are especially desired. Proposals are expected to address specific RFP priorities identified under the following major themes:

• Healthy Coastal Ecosystems
• Sustainable Coastal Development and Economy
• Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Weather and Climate Resilience
• Scientific Literacy and Workforce Development

The detailed RFP with specific program priorities and guidelines for concept letters will be accessible on our website on January 21, 2025.

Questions may be directed to either Susan Lovelace or Susannah Sheldon.

Additional Resources

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

Loaner Kit Program

Are you interested in exploring watersheds with your students? Maybe you'd like your students to engage in the engineering design process to create remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or weather buoys. The Consortium's education program offers a variety of kits available free of charge to formal, nonformal, or homeschool educators in South Carolina. The following kits are currently available for check out:

-Fish Printing Kits: A freshwater and saltwater fish printing kit provides educators with a lesson plan on fish adaptations and the rubber fish molds necessary to create gyotaku-inspired fish prints with their students.

-Enviroscape Wetlands Model: The Wetlands Enviroscape Model provides a hands-on demonstration of how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other human-made and natural impacts. Included as part of the demonstration are ways in which potential pollution impacts can be mitigated (e.g., riparian buffers and salt marshes).

-The Watershed Game: This activity uses a hands-on simulation to educate groups about how land use impacts water quality and a community’s resilience to flooding. While making land management decisions, players learn about practices, plans, and policies that can improve and protect water quality and increase resilience to flooding. Two versions of this kit are available for free checkout from the Consortium: the coastal classroom model and the coastal local leader model.

-Ocean Odyssey Kits: These four kits focus on STEM disciplines while incorporating various career paths. Choose from building an ROV, weather buoy, catapult or developing a capstone project.

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Speaker Request Form

Do you have a science night or career day coming up in the future? Would you like a speaker for your students or organization? The Consortium (Consortium) has plenty to share regarding marine science careers, current research projects, and engaging coastal science activities for all ages! Be sure to check out our career page to learn more about the Consortium, and if you are interested in booking the Consortium for an upcoming career day or science night, please fill out this request form.

Photo credit: E.V. Bell