Education and Outreach
The UNC Coastal Studies Institute offers a variety of workshops, seminars, and lectures, as well as opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to become involved in ongoing research.  We are committed to providing high quality education and outreach opportunities for students and residents to interact, learn and engage.

K-12 Education Programming
The UNC Coastal Studies Institute is currently working with several local schools to providing education programming, activities and projects as it relates to the research and activities of UNC-CSI.

Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies Partnership

UNC-CSI is assisting Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) in their curricular redesign since being designated a School of Coastal Studies by the New Schools Initiative. UNC-CSI provides programming on estuarine ecology to 6-8th grade students throughout the school year as well providing technical expertise and supervision on coastal studies themed educational projects. 
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Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Workshop and Competition
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are a valuable tools used by scientists to explore and monitor the oceans.  ROVs are also a fun and engaging way to get students interested in marine science and technology.  UNC-CSI holds annual teacher workshops alongside partners from Nauticus and NOAA'S office of National Marine Sanctuaries on how to incorporate these underwater robots into school curriculum, as well as how to put together a team to compete in a regional ROV Mission based competition.

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Build an Observation Buoy Program
UNC-CSI has worked alongside partners to implement a project among five schools in northeastern North Carolina to record water quality data from the Albemarle, Pamlico and Currituck Sounds. The students constructed a basic buoy that holds water quality and atmospheric sensors and records data continually for seven days. The students retrieve the buoy at the end of each week and recharge batteries, recalibrate sensors, download the data from the on-board computer and upload it to the internet. The data is shared in a large network of BOB buoys along the East Coast.


Elizabeth City Middle School Partnership
UNC-CSI education staff partnered with Elizabeth City Middle School on numerous projects this year to enhance the hands-on science experiences available to the students. Through funding provided by the Albemarle and Pamlico National Estuary Program a wetland was constructed behind the middle school to provide an outdoor laboratory for the students, while also help improve the water quality from the school’s impervious surfaces. Students visited the wetland through different stages of construction and were instrumental in its planting. Through classroom activities provided by UNC-CSI educators, students investigated important sustainable concepts and learned to collect and record water quality measurements. Through continued partnership, educators work with the 8th grade classes to provide hands-on learning experiences regarding the research and work of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute.

Community and Public Programming
UNC-CSI provides public programming for organizational groups and the general public on a variety of subjects related to the current research, activities and projects of the institute.  If you are interested in having a program or presentation for your group or club, please contact John McCord, Education Programs Coordinator at jmccord@csi.northcarolina.edu. 
 

Professional and Technical Programming
UNC-CSI is dedicated to providing high quality education programming in response to the needs and issues of professionals in Northeastern North Carolina. Workshops, seminars and expos have been conducted on a variety of topics including water quality, green building, low impact development and smart growth.  Feel free to contact us with ideas that you may have for an education need in your community.

The Albemarle Green Building Seminar and Expo
College of The Albemarle and UNC-CSI hosted the very first Albemarle Green Building Seminar and Expo on February 28, 2008.  This day-long event consisted of a variety seminars focusing on green building concepts and a vendor hall exhibiting green technologies and products. Over 200 local and regional contractors, trades people, homeowners, and high school students attended the event to learn about green building practices and technology, creating new green building markets through education, and green building opportunities in Northeastern North Carolina.  COA and UNC-CSI have continue to promote sustainable building practices through annual seminars. 
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Underwater Video Productions

UNC-CSI is dedicated to stay on the cutting edge of multi-media technology to assist in providing educational opportunities digitally.  High resolution video is used by researchers to collect baseline data and record dynamic processes, and is also used as an educational tool.

UNC-CSI's production team captures underwater footage of shipwrecks as part of data collection for UNC-CSI's Maritime Heritage Program.  The Red Camera, a camera that shoots in four times HD, is used to document shipwrecks' current conditions, as well as providing the public an opportunity to appreciate historically important resources that few people have the ability to physically visit.