HISTORY EXPERIENCES
- Native Americans on Hilton Head
Imagine what coastal life was like thousands of years ago. Use artifacts, drawings, and replicas to learn about who lived here and how they survived. Students will examine Native American pottery and create replica pinch pots using clay.
Social Study Correlations: K.H.2, K.H.3, K.E.1, 1.H.3, 2.H.3, 3.2.2.ER, 3.2.3.ER
- Cooperation and Conflict: Native Americans and Europeans in Port Royal Sound
Explore the interactions the Native Americans in the Port Royal Sound area had with the Europeans who settled there. Discover how trade between the two groups led to cooperation and then became a source of conflict. Students will make (and use) a red dye from dried cochineal bugs which the Native Americans traded to the Europeans for iron tools and other goods. (3rd grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 3.2.ER, 3.4.HS, 3.5.HS, 4.1.CO, 4.1.CX, 6.3.CO, 6.3.CE, 6.3.CX, 8.1.CC
- Living History with Captain William Hilton
Meet Captain William Hilton and hear about how and why his exploration of the Carolina coast in 1663 lead to an island being named after him. Learn about life aboard his 17th century sailing ship, examine important navigational tools like a chip log (used to determine speed) and a lead line (used to determine water depth), and practice some useful sailors knots. Take your rope home and practice tying knots for your own adventures! (3rd grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 3.1.AG, 3.2.ER, 3.4.HS, 3.5.HS, 4.1.CO, 4.1.CE, 4.1.CX, 6.3.P, 8.1.CO, 8.1.P
- 16th Century Explorations & Settlements in the Southeast
Learn about eight different 16th century Spanish and French explorers and their settlement attempts in the Southeastern US. Match information about each explorer with their settlement through informational cards, maps, and reproduction artifacts. Students will make a piece of rope from palm fronds to take with them just like the ones Native Americans made for the French. (4th grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 3.2 ER, 3.4 HS, 3.5 HS, 3.5 AG, 4.1 CO, 4.1 CX, 6.3, CO, 6.3 CE, 6.3 CX, 6.3 E, 8.1 CC
- Indigo Tie-Dye
Investigate the historical importance of indigo with a costumed presenter and learn how and why this plant became a valuable cash crop in South Carolina during the 1700’s. Students will tie-dye a t-shirt with indigo dye as they explore the historic process of making indigo dye from the indigo plant. Students provide one white t-shirt. (2nd grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 3.2.ER, 3.4.HS, 3.5.HS, 4.1.CO, 4.1.CE, 4.1.CC, 4.1.E, 6.3.CE, 8.1.CE, 8.1.P
- Life in Colonial Times
Life was different for people in colonial South Carolina than it is today, but in some ways it was very much the same. Students will compare and contrast life then and now by looking at pictures and examining reproduction artifacts. They will have a chance to play 18th century games and make an authentic 18th century headache sack. (Grades K-3).
Social Study Correlations: 3.4.PR, 3.4.AG, 4.1.P
- Medicine in Colonial Times
What was health care like for people in colonial South Carolina? Students will learn how people in the past dealt with sickness and disease through a presentation and by examining reproduction artifacts. They will then analyze the treatment given to George Washington during his final illness. (4th grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 4.1.E, 4.2.E
- Civil War on Hilton Head
The Civil War is one of the most important events in the history of our country. Learn about what Hilton Head Island looked like from 1861-65, when Union soldiers occupied the island. Students will recreate the battle of Port Royal with Commander Percival Drayton as they learn about this significant historical event. (3rd grade and up).
Social Study Correlations: 4.4.CO, 4.4.CE, 4.4.CX, 4.4.E
- Camp Dig-It
Get an introduction to the wonderful world of archaeology by a professional archaeologist. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the past as they excavate and identify artifacts from a simulated site dig box.
2020 Social Study Standards: 3.2.ER, 4.1.CO, 6.3.CE, 8.1.CC
NATURAL HISTORY EXPERIENCES
- A Day at the Beach
Experience life on the beach…without actually going to the beach. Discover a wide variety of fascinating beach critters, learn about what lives in those shells, and investigate the lives of beach visitors like sea turtles and horseshoe crabs. Discover why the beach is such an important habitat and learn how to protect it.
Science Correlations:K.P.1, K.l.2, 1.S.1, 1.E.4, 1.L.5, 2.S.1, 2.L.5, 3.S.1, 3.E.4, 3.L.5, 4.S.1, 4.L.5, 5.S.1, 5.E.4, 6.S.1, 6.L.4, 6.L.5, 7.S.1, 7.EC.5
- Marsh Critters
What lives in the salt marsh? Get an up close look at this unique and important habitat. Observe crabs, mussels, snails, shrimp, and more while learning about their biology and behavior.
Science Correlations:K.S.1, K.L.2, 1.S.1, 1.E.3, 1.E.4, 1.L.5, 2.S.1, 2.L.5, 3.S.1, 3.L.5, 4.S.1, 4.L.5, 5.S.1, 5.E.3, 5.L.4, 6.S.1, 6.L.4, 7.S.1, 7.EC.5, 8.S.1
- Squid Dissection
Explore the fascinating lives of the fastest swimming marine invertebrates. Examine the external and internal anatomy of the squid through a dissection activity.
Science Correlations: 2.S.1, 2.L.5, 3.S.1, 3.l.5, 4.S.1, 4.l.5, 5.S.1, 5.L.4, 6.S.1, 6.l.4, 7.S.1, 7.EC.5, 8.S.1
- All About Owls (Owl Pellet Dissection)
From beak to tail, birds living in the Lowcountry exhibit some amazing adaptations for survival in diverse environments. In this avian investigation, students will dissect owl pellets and discover what makes owls the ultimate nocturnal predator.
Science Correlations: 2.L.5, 3.L.5, 4.L.5, 5.L.4, 6.L.4, 7.EC.5
- Sea Turtles Life
Sea turtles live an extraordinary life. Explore the amazing journey of Loggerhead Sea Turtles from egg to adulthood. Discover just how easy it is to help protect these fascinating sea creatures.
Correlations: K.L.2, 2.L.5, 3.l.5, 4.L.5, 5.L.4, 6.L.4, 7.EC.5/p>
- Horseshoe Crabs: A Living Fossil
With its tough, helmet-like body and long, pointed tail, the horseshoe crab is one of the most intriguing and misunderstood marine invertebrates found in our marine waters. Dive in with us as we explore the horseshoe crab and investigate the life cycle and adaptations of this living fossil.
Science Correlations: K.L.2, 2.L.5, 3.L.5, 4.L.5, 5.l.4, 6.L.4, 7.EC.5, 8.E.6
- Reptiles and Amphibians of the Lowcountry
Alligators, snakes, and turtles oh my! Decipher the difference between reptiles and amphibians. Take a closer look at some live reptiles and amphibians and discovery their special and unique survival adaptations.
Science Correlations: K.S.1, K.L.2, 1.S.1, 2.S.1, 3.S.1, 4.S.1, 4.L.5, 5.S.1, 5.L.4, 6.S.1, 6.L.4, 7.S.1, 7.EC.5, 8.S.1