NCCAT, in cooperation with UNC’s Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, is hosting events at NCCAT's Ocracoke campus for this year’s NC Science Festival. 

Two great programs are offered this week! 

"Sea, Sand and Human Hands: The Changing Face of the Outer Banks" at 10:30 a.m. on the NCCAT campus.

Join NCCAT fellow Alton Ballance for a presentation and discussion about how the sea and shifting sands impact the lives of Outer Banks residents. What challenges have resulted from recent northeasters and hurricanes, such as Irene in 2011 and Sandy in 2012, on the Outer Banks transportation system, economy, and environment? What lessons can we learn from past events and how residents adapted to this constantly changing region of North Carolina?

"Exploring the Kindergarten of the Fisheries" at 1 p.m. at the NCCAT Outdoor Classroom.  

Join NCCAT fellow Alton Ballance as we take a look at salt marshes on the NCCAT shoreline. We’ll consider how these marshes play a vital role in sustaining a viable fishing industry. These fragile yet productive marshes and near-shore estuarine waters are critical fish and shellfish habitat—also known as the “kindergarten of the fisheries.” What are the key factors, human and natural, that contribute to this marine ecosystem? Learn more about our state’s marine fisheries and how they contribute to the economy, culture, and environment of our state!

Both programs are offered on both the 13th and 17th.