New Hanover County 5th graders have class on barrier island

MASONBORO ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Thousands of New Hanover County students are taking their class outside to explore an island just off our coast.

We joined the 5th graders from Winter Park Elementary as they became island explorers for the day.

Tom Hackler with Masonboro.org says the Island Explorers Program gets kids out behind their desks and gives them a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“A lot of these kids have never been to Masonboro Island and many haven’t been on a boat before,” Hackler said.

During the boat ride from Carolina Beach, kids learned about weather, tide cycles, and different coastal animals.

Once there, the students checked out a beach station, a marsh station, and a crab station.

“We learned about different types of shells, student Emma Hook said. “We found different types of shells, and decided which ones they were so that was interesting.”

5th grader Damien McDuffie says his favorite part of the trip was the crab station.

“We got to catch crabs, but I mean we got to let it go,” McDuffie said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Through a hands on approach, kids were able to learn about our ecosystems and why it’s important to keep our beautiful coasts clean.

“I always ask the kids ‘Did you learn anything?’ and they say ‘Yes’ and start telling me all the things they learned today,” Hackler said. “I think they are surprised they learn as much as they do.”

The Duke Energy Foundation has provided the organization with a $35,000 grant to send more students through the Spring.