Upcoming Events
Visit the ECU Outer Banks Campus!The Coastal Studies Institute and ECU Outer Banks Campus host a variety of monthly, seasonal, and annual events and programs.
Please check back regularly for the most up-to-date list of upcoming events. Last updated March 6, 2026.
Monthly Events
Guided Tours
Offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 10 AM. Pre-registration is required.
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March 11 & 25
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April 8 & 22
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May 6 & 20*
*Please note the schedule change for tours in May that will instead be held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Science on the Sound Lecture Series
Typically occurs every third Thursday of the month, August- May. Pre-registration is not required, unless specifically noted, and the program is free to attend.
- March 26, 6 PM: Beth K. Scaffidi, Scott Dawson, and Mark Horton from the Croatoan Archaeological Society will present “The Smoking Gun?: New Radiocarbon Dates and Hunting Practices Linking Hatteras Island to Fort Raleigh in the Sixteenth Century”.
- April 20, 5- 8 PM: Special screening of Hope in the Water, Episode 3- “Changing the Menu” at the Pioneer Theater in Manteo. Admission is free, but reservations are required. See details below.
Hope in the Water
As part of the Science on the Sound lecture series and in celebration of Earth Week, you’re invited to a FREE screening of Episode 3 of PBS’s “Hope in the Water” docuseries. “Changing the Menu” explores creative approaches to diversifying our seafood diets and how that change is impacting menus worldwide. The pre-party begins at 5:30pm, featuring food from Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café, drinks available for purchase, and educational info from community partners. The screening begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion led by Jennifer Bushman with Fed By Blue.
Event Schedule
5:30-6:30pm | Pre-Party in Pioneer Courtyard
6:30-7:30pm | Screening
7:30-8:00pm | Q&A w/ Sara Mirabilio (NC Sea Grant), Mac Buben (Chef/Owner, Sea Chef Dockside Kitchen), Evan Ferguson (CHSS), Jake Griffin (Commercial Fisherman)
Family Programs
Educational opportunities for elementary school-aged children and their accompanying adult(s). Each program incorporates fun, hands-on activities for experiential learning. Pre-registration for all Family Programs is required.
Upcoming offerings include:
- Feathered Friends: Thursday, March 19, 4-5 PM
- Shells & Invertebrates: Tuesday, April 21, 4-5 PM
- Dock Discovery: Wednesday, May 20, 4-5 PM
Special Events & Seasonal Programs
NC Renewable Energy Challenge
March 28, 2026
With funding from the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program and in partnership with KidWind and Jennette’s Pier, the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) hosts the day-long North Carolina Renewable Energy Challenge annually on the ECU Outer Banks Campus in Wanchese. Competing students must engineer an alternative energy device and compete against each other to create the most efficient design. The challenge strives to increase student interest in green technology and promote innovation, and it fosters 21st-century skills that better prepare students for the growing renewable energy industry.
Soundside Science Scouts: Estuary Expedition
April 7, 2026; 9 AM- 3:30 PM
Take a glimpse into the magical ecosystem that is the estuary! In this day-long mini-camp experience based at the Coastal Studies Institute, students ages 7-9 will discover what makes an estuary special and what critters call it home. Campers will travel by boat to a nearby marsh island in the Croatan Sound and learn about certain animal traits that make them well-suited to their environment. Along the way, participants will play games, make crafts, and create lasting memories with old and new friends alike.
Pre-registration is required, and the cost to attend is $80 per student.
2026 Summer Camps
Registration for all camp programs is now open. The camp season runs from June 6- August 14.
Camps focus on 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. The registration fee for all camps is $425 per individual. Dates for each theme are as follows:
- Coastal Kingdoms: June 8-12, June 15-19
- Shapes in Science: June 22-26, July 6-10
- Blue Horizons: July 13-17, July 20-24
- Legends of the Atlantic: July 27-31, August 3-7
- Coastal Explorers: August 10-14
Based at the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), the North Carolina Renewable Ocean Energy Program (NCROEP) advances inter-disciplinary marine energy solutions across UNC System partner colleges of engineering at NC State University, UNC Charlotte, and NC A&T University. Click on the links below for more information.
ECU's Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement. ECU ICP includes the Coastal Studies Institute, ECU's Department of Coastal Studies, and ECU Diving and Water Safety.
The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
