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 November 4.

Monthly Events

Guided Tours

Aerial image of the ECU Outer Banks Campus. Out

Offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at 10 AM. Pre-registration is required.

  • November 11 and 25
  • December 9
  • January 13 and 27

 

Tour Details & Registration

Science on the Sound Lecture Series

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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.

 

  • November 19, 6 PM: Independent monitoring completed for carbon removal field trial in Duck, NC, presented by Dr. Jaclyn Cetiner, Hourglass Climate.
  • December 10, time to be determined: Outer Banks Field Site Capstone Research Presentation
  • January 21, 6 PM: A research update from Dr. Jim Morley

Family Programs

Five young children sit on the edge of the dock and watch as an adult empties an oyster cage into a large open container for further examination.

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:

 

  • Estuarine Adaptations– Thursday, November 12, 4-5:30 PM
  • Salt Marsh Superpowers– Wednesday, December 9, 4-5:30 PM
  • Whale Wonders– Thursday, January 14, 4- 5:30 PM
Family Program Details

Special Events & Seasonal Programs

Soundside Science Scouts: Estuary Expedition

A woman and several children walk a seine net down a strip of sand along the waters edge.

November 11, 2026

Take a glimpse into the magical ecosystem that is the estuary! In this day-long mini-camp experience, students ages 7- 9 will discover what makes an estuary special and what critters call it home. Campers will explore a salt marsh on campus 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.

Estuary Expedition Details and Registration

Oyster Science & Art Workshop

The outline of a fish carved into a piece of white cuttlebone

February 27, 2027

A collaborative day-long program with Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft for adults or youth ages 8 and up, accompanied by an adult.

Step into the intersection of science and art this fall! Upon arriving at Pocosin Arts, participants will learn about oyster reefs from CSI staff in a short, interactive lesson highlighting their ecosystem benefits and the critters that call them home. The lesson will also include time to view live oysters under a microscope! Following a brief break for lunch, Pocosin Arts will take the lead, and participants will create their own oyster reef-inspired, metal cast sculptural objects or pendants as a tangible reminder of the day’s science lesson.

Pre-registration is required, and the cost to attend is $55 per person.

Workshop Details and Registration

Led by East Carolina University (ECU), The Coastal Studies Institute is a multi-institutional research and educational partnership of the UNC System including North Carolina State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, and Elizabeth City State University.

MORE INFORMATION

CSI BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The ECU Outer Banks campus is home to the Coastal Studies Institute.
Located on Roanoke Island along the banks of the second largest estuary
in the United States, this coastal campus spans 213 acres of marshes, scrub wetlands, forested wetlands, and estuarine ecosystems.

ECU OUTER BANKS CAMPUS

FACILITIES

SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

 

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.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

JENNETTE'S PIER WAVE ENERGY TEST CENTER

SMALL-SCALE WAVE TANK

The faculty and staff at the Coastal Studies Institute come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, as well as departments and organizations including ECU Department of Biology, ECU Department of Coastal Studies, NC Sea Grant, the North Carolina Renewable Energy Program, and the UNC Institute for the Environment.

MEET THE TEAM

Tour the ECU Outer Banks Campus and learn about the research, education, and engagement projects of CSI and ECU Integrated Coastal Programs through our 360 virtual tour.

VIRTUAL TOUR