NCLearn@Home Coverage

Haw River State Park flower tour!

Enjoy a virtual flower hike at Haw River State Park as Ranger Lindsey discusses the many different flower types and explains the beautiful difference in wildflowers in the park.

Shark fun facts

Aquarium Teen Programs Coordinator Austin shares some tells us about the species of sharks the Aquarium cares for and how we can all protect these animals in the wild.

UNTAMED SCIENCE: Red Wolves

Want to know more about red wolves? Here is a video about one of the most endangered canine species!

Paleontology 101

Take a trip with our paleo crew as they dig up dinosaurs in the rocky deserts of Utah! Learn how they find fossils, excavate them, and then transport them across the country for further study.

Zoo EDventures: A stroll through the desert habitat

Join the Zoo EDventure crew on a stroll through the Zoo's Desert habitat! Discover the amazing ways animals adapt to this harsh environment and how plants get a drink in the dry desert.

UNTAMED SCIENCE: North Carolina Zoo and Polar Bears

For these iconic Arctic animals, breeding isn't as easy as it looks! With populations dwindling in the wild, AZA-accredited zoos play an important role in raising awareness about the threat of climate change and habitat loss and ensuring the species survives - and thrives. Our polar bears Nikita and Anana have the best of both worlds - their Tundra and Arctic Waters habitats mimic the wild environment. Their outdoor pools, indoor quarters and flooring are a chilly 55 degrees year-round. However, they've also been spotted sunbathing on warmer days.

Puffin chicks now on habitat

Say hello to the newest members of our seabird habitat in Rocky Coast! Rearing these puffin chicks was a team effort, and we wanted to share the journey with you.

Reilly the Lion's Dental Work

How many people does it take to perform dental work on a lion? Meet our dedicated team who tackled this procedure including Director of Animal Health, Dr. JB Minter, and Animal Supervisor, Jodi Wiley of the North Carolina Zoo. To work quickly and efficiently, we also brought on a dental team from NC State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Archaeology at Historic Halifax

Learn about the history of Historic Halifax through archaeology.

Plankton Investigations

Join Jennette's Pier's education team on a virtual lesson about plankton!

Beach Explorations

Join Jennette's Pier's education team on a virtual lesson about what we can find on the beach!

The Wright Flyer

The N.C. Transportation Museum is home to a full-size replica Wright Flyer. Museum educator Tyler Trahan tells us how the 1903 flight by the Wright Brothers differed from others who had tried to make flying machines, how the airplane moved, and how the Wright Flyer was steered when aloft.

A spin on the turntable

Continuing our series of videos and posts to let you #NCLearnAtHome. From the time it was built in 1924, the Bob Julian Roundhouse was an essential part of Southern Railway's Spencer Shops, home to regular maintenance for the company's steam locomotive fleet. And there is only one way to put a locomotive into the roundhouse - the turntable!

Locomotion! How A Steam Locomotive Moves

Museum educator Tyler Trahan tours a steam locomotive in the Bob Julian Roundhouse at the N.C. Transportation Museum, explaining how coal, fire, and pressure made these machines move, the manpower involved, and what could go wrong in operating the engine.

History in Motion: The Bob Julian Roundhouse

The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America and the only roundhouse left in North Carolina. This structure holds an amazing history, with many stories to tell.

NC Merci Car - WWII Era 40 & 8 Boxcar

The Merci Train was a gift to the people of the United States from the people of France, given in appreciation for the United States help to the French during World War II. The train consisted of 49 boxcars, each filled with hundreds of gifts from French citizens of every age and class. These gifts included embroidered linens, fine china, jewelry, toys, artwork, photographs, and personal items. Each of the 48 states would receive a boxcar, with Washington, DC and the territory of Hawaii sharing one boxcar.

Piedmont Airlines DC-3 - The Potomac Pacemaker

The N.C. Transportation Museum features unique and engaging aviation pieces. The museum is home to the restoration of the Piedmont Airlines DC-3, also known as the Potomac Pacemaker. The cosmetic restoration of this piece has been the primary focus for aviation volunteers at the museum for several years.

Why did trains have cabooses?

Museum Educator Tyler Trahan talks about cabooses - why they were necessary on trains of the past and why you don't see them anymore.

Electric and steam cars of the past

Electric cars, despite their rising popularity over the last few decades, are nothing new. Cars of the early 1900s were less often powered by gasoline, and more often powered by electricity or steam.

Pawpaw trees and their tasty fruit: A Moment of Science

Museum Educator Mike Dunn, in his video debut, explains why he loves his pawpaw.

NCLearn@Home gives people free access to virtual tours, state archives, other digital content

NCLearn@Home is a hub of online content, educational resources and digital experiences curated by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Here you'll find lesson plans, content from state archives and virtual tours, all from our state's natural and cultural institutions.

Latisha Catchatoorian, WRAL Digital Solutions

My NC from A to Z

Children and parents will love learning about North Carolina in My N.C. from A to Z. This colorful, sturdy board book celebrates pride of place, creates connections to North Carolina's rich African American heritage, and teaches children about human equality and social justice. A perfect first baby or toddler book!

Turtles breathe underwater with cloacal respiration: A Moment in Science

Museum educator Bob Alderink fearlessly demonstrates cloacal respiration in turtles.

Woodpecker tongues are avian harpoons: A Moment of Science

Museum educator Bob Alderink shows how a bird's beak (or tongue) can clue you in to what it does for a living.

Cochineal bugs create red dye: A Moment in Science

Museum educator Bob Alderink reveals the secret ingredient that gives your strawberry yogurt (and many other foods) a pleasing rosy hue.