GUIDED TOURS are offered on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 10 AM. Pre-registration is required.

• March 25
• April 9 & 23

SCIENCE ON THE SOUND occurs at 6 PM every third Thursday of the month, August- May. Pre-registration is not required, unless specifically noted, and the program is free to attend. Upcoming dates and speakers include:

• March 20, 6 PM- “What do greentails have to do with green energy? An update on the Kitty Hawk offshore wind project served with a side of shrimp” presented by Dr. Lela Schlenker (Kitty Hawk Wind)

April 17, 5- 8 PM – A special edition of Science on the Sound! CSI and The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau will host a film screening of  The Cigarette Surfboard at the Pioneer Theater in Manteo. A pre-screening party with a food truck and beverages for sale will begin at 5 PM in the Pioneer Theater courtyard. Attendees can meet the filmmaker (Ben Judkins) and board shaper (Taylor Lane), and view the cigarette surfboards on display. The film screening will begin at 6 PM in the theater with a short Q & A with Judkins and Lane immediately following.

* Admission for this event is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance.

FAMILY PROGRAMS are educational opportunities for elementary school-aged children and their accompanying adult(s). These events are offered 1-2 times per month, and the content changes seasonally. Each program incorporates fun, hands-on activities for experiential learning. These programs will take place from 3:30-5 PM on each occurrence. Pre-registration is required. 

• March 18, Feathered Friends

The 2025 NC Renewable Energy Challenge will be held on March 22, 2025, at the ECU Outer Banks Campus.

This day-long competition is for students in Grades 4-12. With two age divisions and Wind and Underwater Currents categories, this event strives to increase student interest in green technology, promote innovation, and foster 21st-century skills that better prepare students for the growing renewable energy industry. There is no cost for entry, but registration is required and will remain open through February 15, 2025.

Because of the great success with the initial program, the Coastal Studies Institute plans to host mini-camp programs throughout the 2024-2025 school year on the following days: 

• Friday, April 25- Estuary Explorers

These programs will occur from 9:00 AM- 3:30 PM each day and will be open to students ages 7 to 10. Pre-registration is required.

The ECU Outer Banks Campus and Coastal Studies Institute’s annual Open House will be held on May 17, 2025, from 12:30- 4:00 PM.

During this yearly event, visitors have the opportunity to tour the campus, learn about current research and education programs, take part in family-friendly activities, and interact with faculty and staff from ECU, CSI, and partners such as NC Sea Grant, NOAA’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research.

Our summer camps focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) concepts and utilize hands-on experiences and exploration of the great outdoor spaces of the Outer Banks. Each week of camp features a particular theme and runs Monday-Friday, 9 AM- 3:30 PM.  We will accept up to 16 campers between the ages of 10-15 years old each week, June 9- August 8, excluding the week of July 4.  New in 2025 we will also have one camp for teens ages 13-17 the week of August 11-15. The registration fee for all camps is $400 per individual.