Coastal Studies Institute will host Open House on the ECU Outer Banks Campus on April 20

The Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) and ECU Integrated Coastal Programs (ECU ICP) are hosting and Open House from 11 am.-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.  Attendees will be able to tour the campus, grounds, and facilities, learn about current research and education programs, take part in family-friendly activities, and interact with faculty and staff from ECU, CSI, and partner organizations.

The LEED gold-certified ECU Outer Banks Campus is located on Roanoke Island at 850 NC Highway 345, approximately one mile from the Highway 64 and NC 345 intersection.

ECU’s Integrated Coastal Programs is a leader in coastal and marine research, education, and engagement.  The program uses an interdisciplinary approach and scientific advances to provide effective solutions to complex problems while helping coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies thrive.  ECU ICP includes a transdisciplinary Department of Coastal Studies, a PhD program in Integrated Coastal Sciences, and the Coastal Studies Institute.

The Coastal Studies Institute is a multi-institutional research partnership led by East Carolina University, in association with NC State, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Wilmington, and Elizabeth City State University. CSI focuses on integrated coastal research and education programming centered on responding to the needs, issues, and topics of concern of the residents of eastern North Carolina.

• ECU ICP and CSI research and education initiatives span a variety of coastal topics from nearshore coastal estuaries to the offshore waters along the continental shelf.
• Visitors to the Open House will learn about research initiatives first-hand from faculty and staff stationed throughout the facility including:
• Coastal geoscientists researching the processes that drive coastal change, their effect on our communities, and ways we can become more resilient in the face of increasing hazards that threaten our coast.
• Ecologists studying our estuarine systems and fisheries, their inputs, and how we can ensure healthy coastal ecosystems for the future.
• Oceanographers and coastal engineers exploring ways to harness the power of the Gulf Stream, waves, and other renewable ocean energy sources, using new technologies to broaden North Carolina’s energy portfolio.
• Social scientists working with coastal residents, visitors, and relevant social statistics to better understand the impacts coastal change has on communities, while working to develop new and prosperous economies for the future.
• Maritime archaeologists researching and discovering new shipwrecks using advanced technologies while celebrating the maritime heritage of eastern North Carolina.
• Faculty and staff engaging the local community and the next generation of scientists and decision-makers in education programming that fosters student interest in the fields of technology, engineering, art, math, and science.

Join us for an afternoon of learning and fun on the ECU Outer Banks Campus from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 20, 2024.