Carol Steingart is an AWARD WINNING marine science educator who has been leading intertidal programs for over 25 years.
Carol, also known as “Coastal Carol,” fell in love with the marine world when she first went to the Shoals Marine Laboratory as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire in 1977. Having grown up on the flat, sandy beaches of Long Island, NY, she was immediately captivated by the rocky shoreline of Maine and the critters under the rocks. After working in the freshwater streams of New Hampshire in the 70s, and in the music recording engineering field in the 80s, she returned to her passion in the tide pools of Maine when she was asked to bring in some sea creatures to her daughter’s second grade class. Her presentation on tide pool critters was so good, the teachers asked her back year after year. Today, Carol offers unique intertidal excursions on the Maine coast to small groups and brings the tide pools to schools and other locations. Carol’s favorite marine creature is the horseshoe crab. Her passion for horseshoe crabs comes out in her special program offerings and excursions featuring these “prehistoric helmets of the sea.”
Carol holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire. She is a lifetime member of the National Marine Educators Association and was the 2022 award recipient for marine education excellence. Carol is also past-president and lifetime member of the Gulf of Maine Marine Education Association. She holds a Maine state license to collect intertidal organisms for educational purposes.
Whether she is leading excursions to the rocky shore or carting intertidal critters to classrooms, libraries, assisted living facilities, or parties, kids and grown-ups love Carol’s enthusiastic approach to hands-on learning.
Hands-on learning with live ocean creatures fosters a lasting and heartfelt connection, which then becomes the springboard for advocacy.
To create unique educational opportunities that connect people of all ages to the natural world of coastal ecosystems, and provide hands-on learning experiences along the way.