Diving into education: Jane Smith Patterson Aquarium Scholars Fund brings more students to NC’s aquariums

FORT FISHER, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Aquarium Society has a new scholars fund program, which will provide field trip opportunities for students to visit the state’s aquariums.

The program is named after Jane Smith Patterson, who was raised in Tabor City.

Steve Coggins is a board member of the North Carolina Aquarium Society.

He said naming the fund after Jane was an easy decision to make.

“Jane Smith Patterson’s vision, dedication, leadership, persistence made the North Carolina Aquariums possible, the North Carolina Aquarium Society possible, the Aquarium Scholars possible,” Coggins said. “We are very indebted to her.”

Smith Patterson is considered one of the key people behind the name change of the four Marin Resource Centers to the North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores, Roanoke Island, and Jennette’s Pier.

She also helped create the North Carolina Aquarium Society, a non-profit that provides financial support to the aquariums.

Smith Patterson said the fund will help grow student interest in marine life and biology.

“The ocean is how we really got our life in the planet and making sure that you understand how the fish live and how you have to look after your ocean and how you have to look after the estuaries, that’s important,” Smith Patterson said.

The Scholars fund will offer grant opportunities to any Title 1 eligible school in the state.

The grants will cover field trips to any of the state’s four aquariums.