Aquarium Hosted Femme in STEM at Wilmington Mall
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher held an annual event to inspire young girls in science and conservation.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Aquariums
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The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher brought its annual Femme in STEM event to Independence Mall. The outreach program featured interactive science experiments presented by local colleges and exhibitors.
Why it matters
Organizers held the event to encourage young girls to pursue professional careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The initiative connects students with experts in fields related to marine conservation.
The Femme in STEM event is held annually and utilizes Discovery Bay, a temporary aquarium exhibit at the mall, while the main facility undergoes expansion construction.
The players
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
This is a public aquarium facility located in Kure Beach that is currently undergoing construction and expansion.
UNCW
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public research university that focuses on marine biology and coastal sciences.
The details
Exhibitors from UNCW, local colleges, and WECT engaged mall shoppers with various hands-on science experiments. The temporary Discovery Bay exhibit provided an aquarium presence at the mall site during ongoing construction at the primary Fort Fisher facility.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: The Femme in STEM event was held at Independence Mall.
Culture Shift
This event mirrors efforts to address the historical underrepresentation of women in scientific disciplines. It follows a pattern set by the National Science Foundation's Girls in STEM initiatives to bridge the gender gap in technical fields.
Families visiting Independence Mall can engage directly with educational displays and university experts during these pop-up events. The presence of the temporary Discovery Bay exhibit provides residents with continued access to aquarium programming during the facility expansion.
The takeaway
Engaging students in real-world experiments can foster a long-term interest in environmental conservation and research. Parents looking to encourage these interests can watch for future community outreach events hosted by university and aquarium partners.
Further reading
Find more information on local marine education and wildlife programs in our Aquariums section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wect.
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