Student and Educator Resources

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Boot Drive!

Deadline for Donations Extended: May 6, 2024

Do you have any child-sized or small adult boots you aren't using any longer? Consider donating them to support the From Seeds to Shoreline program! The boots received will be offered to students in grades K - 12 for use on field excursions to the salt marsh and will also model the concepts of reducing waste and reusing materials. Please drop off or mail boot donations to the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium located at 287 Meeting Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401. If dropping off donations, the office is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5 pm. All donations are requested to be received by Monday May 6th. Questions can be sent to Morgan Treon.

Educator Professional Development

Palmetto Environmental Education Certification

2024 - 2026 Cohort

Application Period Opens May 1, 2024

Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2024



Join the growing network of South Carolina certified environmental educators! The Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) program is the state's first and only environmental education certification for formal and nonformal educators. This two-year course employs a series of face-to-face workshops, online modules, and self-directed exploration opportunities to develop best practices for effective environmental education. PEEC is a flagship program of the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina and is co-coordinated with the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

The application period for the 2024 - 2026 cohort opens May 1 with the selected candidates announced July 31. The application includes an online form, personal statement, and one letter of recommendation. To access the application and for more information about the program, please visit the PEEC certification page. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2024. Questions can be sent to the PEEC Program.

All Booked Up Coastal Reading Club

Are you a formal, nonformal, or homeschool educator interested in discussing books focused on the environment? Join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s All Booked Up (ABU) Coastal Reading Club!

Please visit the ABU webpage to join our listserv and learn about benefits of becoming a member. Our next book will be Beaver Girl by local author Cassie Premo Steele. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.

Environmental Education Association of South Carolina Annual Conference

June 20 - 22, 2024

University of South Carolina - Upstate

Registration is now open for the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) 2024 conference that will be held June 20 - 22 at the University of South Carolina (USC)-Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. This conference is an opportunity for environmental educators and science communicators to learn about climate education, participate in hands-on professional development events, and network with like-minded professionals from across the state. EEASC is currently accepting proposals and strongly encourage those that address the following topics: climate education, resilience, content knowledge, pedagogy, curriculum resources, and education. To learn more about the 2024 conference and to register, please visit the conference webpage.

National Marine Educators Association Conference

"Wicked Good Marine Education"

July 28 - August 1, 2024

Boston, MA

MME (Massachusetts Marine Educators) is excited to host the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) 2024 annual conference—a special event that brings together hundreds of professional educators dedicated to teaching about our marine, coastal and aquatic environments.

NMEA members are a group of inspired, passionate people who promote the conservation, enjoyment, and wise use of our aquatic resources by teaching others. We look forward to showcasing our beautiful region through inspirational speakers, field adventures and excursions, engaging presentations, institutional collaborations, and community partnerships.

Ocean Odyssey Coastliner Program

Are you a coastal, formal educator who is interested in engaging your students in learning about ocean-related careers? Join our Ocean Odyssey Coastliner Program (OOCP)! The OOCP, funded by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, provides educators with direct access to career-related outreach events and resources related to the marine industry. While the program is open to any coastal middle and high school educator, the program aims to reach Title 1 status schools and those communities that are historically marginalized. Becoming a "Coastliner" through the OOCP is free-of-charge and provides you with the following:

1) Access to free Coastliner Toolkits that are STEM (science-technology-engineering-math)-based, ocean-related, career-focused, and incorporate NOAA resources. Topics include: building a working weather buoy or ROV (remotely operated vehicle), designing a product that aligns with the ocean industry, or exploring the engineering mechanics of pulleys.

2) First-hand knowledge of career-related opportunities, outreach events, and resources.

Please visit the OOCP webpage for more information and to sign-up to receive notifications about kits, outreach events, and more! Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell

From Seeds to Shoreline Educator Trainings

July 9, 2024 (New Teachers)

July 16, 2024 (Veteran Teachers)

Deadline to Register: June 28, 2024



The From Seeds to Shoreline® (S2S) program wants you to join our team for the 2024 - 2025 school year! The S2S program, coordinated by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Clemson University, is the only salt marsh restoration program in the state designed specifically for K - 12 students and teachers. By growing Spartina alterniflora, the dominant plant of southeastern salt marshes, throughout the school year and transplanting young seedlings to areas of the coastline, students not only learn about the importance of this critical ecosystem but they also serve as environmental stewards. Two training sessions will be offered:

July 9, 2024 (New Teacher Training): This one-day training will take place in Charleston, S.C. at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and is a pre-requisite for new teachers interested in participating in S2S for the upcoming school year. The training offers sessions on salt marsh ecology, restoration techniques, classroom applications, and more! There is no cost to attend, however, pre-registration will be required by June 28, 2024.

July 16, 2024 (Veteran Teacher Training): This one-day training will take place in Awendaw, S.C. at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center and is optional for those S2S teachers who have been with the program for at least one year. Join us for a fun-filled day of exploration and networking, new resources, giveaways, and much more! Pre-registration is required by June 28, 2024.

Please visit the S2S program website to get more information and please send questions to Morgan Treon.

Marine Debris: From Micro to Macro

Educator Workshop

July 23 - 25, 2024

Hobcaw Barony, Georgetown, S.C.

Registration Opens: May 1, 2024

"Refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle!" Join the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium as we host an educator workshop devoted to exploring marine debris, specifically plastics and microplastics. Though hands-on activities, field-based excursions, presentations, and group discussions, we'll explore topics such as the physical properties of plastics, the formation and impacts of microplastics, research on current and emerging issues, and stewardship opportunities. Participants will have the chance to assist in the creation of a brand-new marine debris education kit and curriculum that will be piloted during the 2024 - 2025 school year.

This two-night, three-day workshop is offered free-of-charge to any K - 12 formal and nonformal educator. Most meals and lodging will be provided and participants will be eligible for 15 renewal credits. Space is limited so mark your calendars to join us for an engaging, educational, and empowering experience! Registration opens May 1st and can be accessed on the S.C. Sea Grant Education page. Questions can be sent to E.V. Bell.

Grants and Awards

Environmental Education Association of South Carolina

Award Nominations

Deadline to Submit: May 3, 2024

The Environmental Education Association of South Carolina is seeking individuals or groups/organizations who have contributed significantly to the importance of environmental education in South Carolina:

• Environmental Educator of the Year: Recognizes a formal or informal educator who has made significant contributions by facilitating the development of knowledge, skills and passion in environmental education.
• Green Business of the Year: Recognizes a SC business that has made it a priority to install “green” business practices as example to other businesses.
• Non-Profit Organization of the Year: Recognizes a non-profit organization that has been able to carry out a mission that includes environmental education activities.
• Outstanding Youth Award: Recognizes an individual or group of students, (ages 8-18), who have been successfully engaged in activities which foster environmental literacy.
• Legislator of the Year: Recognizes an environmentally-friendly legislator who has demonstrated leadership in making environmental literacy a priority in governmental decisions.

Please submit your nomination(s) by May 3rd; all award winners will be honored during the 2024 EEASC Conference.

Additional Opportunities and Resources

New Resource! The Watershed Game

Loaner Kit Program

The Watershed Game, developed by Minnesota Sea Grant, is a hands-on simulation that helps groups learn how land use impacts water quality and a community’s resilience to flooding. While making land management decisions, players learn about practices, plans, and policies that can improve and protect water quality and increase resilience to flooding. In the game, teams of players use limited financial resources to manage a representative watershed in a fun, and low-stress environment. Watershed Game play illustrates that cooperation is an essential part of managing land use, improving water quality, and building resilience.

Two versions of this kit are available for free checkout from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium): The coastal classroom model and the coastal local leader model. Please visit the Consortium's education page to learn more about the versions available and to access the request form.

S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Speaker Request Form

Do you have a science night or career day coming up in the future? Would you like a speaker for your students or organization? The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium (Consortium) has plenty to share regarding marine science careers, current research projects, and engaging coastal science activities for all ages! Be sure to check out our career page to learn more about the Consortium, and if you are interested in booking the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium for an upcoming career day or science night, please fill out this request form.

Enviroscape Loaner Program

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium offers use of the Wetlands Enviroscape Model free-of-charge to any S.C. K-12, nonformal, and homeschool educator. The model provides a hands-on demonstration about how watersheds can be affected by development, pollution, and other human-made and natural impacts. Included as part of the demonstration are ways in which potential pollution impacts can be mitigated (e.g., riparian buffers and salt marshes). To find out more information on requesting to borrow the Enviroscape, please visit the Enviroscape Loaner Program webpage to fill out the request form. Questions can be sent to Morgan Treon.