Explore South Carolina

Learn about South Carolina. You may be surprised at what you'll find!

In addition to the topics below, you can also delve into South Carolina's history by visiting the Social Studies section.

Public schools observe John C. Calhoun's birthday, March 18, as South Carolina Day.

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Longleaf Pine Flatwoods | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Patrick McMillan visits Apalachicola National Forest in Florida, where we see Longleaf Pine Flatwoods. Here in these flatwoods dwell many species of low growing plants: Gallberry shrubs, Dwarf...

Pond Cypress Savannah | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Patrick visits Florida Bay, located in Francis Marion National Forest, South Carolina. Here, we see a savannah, filled with Pond Cypress trees, Savannah Iris flowers, Tall Milkwort flowers, and Purple...

Venus Fly Trap | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Patrick McMillan visits Apalachicola National Forest, in Florida, where he showcases a Venus Flytrap. The Flytrap, described by Charles Darwin as “the most amazing plant on earth,” is a carnivorous...

Receding Glacier | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Here on the Kenai Peninsula, in Alaska, Patrick McMillan shows us evidence of a global interglacial period. On the Kenai Peninsula, we see a receding glacier, which has moved back hundreds of feet in...

Dall Sheep | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Dall Sheep are found roaming the mountains located within the interior region of Alaska. This species of sheep is native to Alaska, and are also found in some parts of Canada. Bighorn Sheep are also...

Northern Pine Snake | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

In the Francis Marion National Forest, Patrick McMillan shows a rather uncommon species of snake found in this area: the Northern Pine Snake. The dark patterns found on the top of the snake blend in...

Giant Sacaton Grass | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Here at Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in Arizona, Patrick McMillan and Linda Kennedy talk about Giant Sacaton Grass, which makes a great habitat for sparrows, and diamond-back rattlesnakes.

Oak Toad | Expeditions Shorts

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Here in Francis Marion National Forest, in South Carolina, Patrick McMillan shows us the Oak Toad, one of the smallest in the toad species. Its unique skin colorations are perfect for camouflaging...

3D VR - Woodrow Wilson Family Home | Let's Go!

Interactive

Grades: 2 4

Located on 1705 Hampton Street, in historic downtown Columbia, South Carolina, this is the home where President Woodrow Wilson spent four years of his childhood. The house was built in 1871, during...

Pike, John Martin | South Carolina Public Radio

Audio

Grades: 6 7 8

“P” is for Pike, John Martin [1840-1932]. Clergyman, editor, publisher. A Canadian and ordained Methodist clergyman, Pike was invited to preach at Columbia’s Washington Street Methodist Church. He...

Using Historical Markers to Document People, Places, and Events

Lesson

Grades: 6, 8

In this lesson, students will research, design, and write the narrative for a historical marker. First, they will observe historical markers across the United States. Then, they will focus on markers...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 4

Episode 4

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Columbo plants can remain in a vegetative state for up to thirty years before it sends up a flower stalk. Morel mushrooms and Devil’s Urn are species of fungi, which help break down dead materials in...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 5

Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim see the tell-tale signs of a beaver, coming in the form of chew marks on the base of a large tree. A skeleton of a gray fox is found nearby. A gray fox has ridges on the skull, whereas a...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 7

Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim find an unusually large Devil’s Walking Stick, which is usually around one third the size of the one shown here! Horse Sugar, Yellow Bellwort, and Birdsfoot violets are more species of...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 3

Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim move to the Long Cane Division of Sumter National Forest. Here, Umbrella magnolia is starting to bloom. Christmas fern and Jack-In-The-Pulpit, Faded trillium, Wild germanium, Baneberry...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 6

Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Here close to a stream, there is a high population of Mountain laurel trees, rhododendrons, Tuliptrees, Fraser magnolias, Halberdleaf violets, Rattlesnake plantains, Heartleaf, Poor Robin’s plantain...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 1

Episode 1

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

On this episode of NatureScene, Rudy and Jim visit Sumter National Forest. This area offers a wide variety of habitats, and springtime is the best time to visit these rolling hills. Here at the flood...

Sumter National Forest (S.C.) Stop 2

Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

This area features a wide variety of trees, such as beeches and maples. Lots of wild flowers popping up in this area as well, like Dwarf iris, and Rue anemone. Buckeye shrubs and Sweet shrubs can also...

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 5

Episode 7

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

This area is known as a “dry wetland” Here, Button bush, and Red maple trees thrive here. Under a nearby wooden board, Rudy and Jim find a Mole salamander, and a Ring-Neck snake. And in a nearby tree...

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 6

Episode 8

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Rudy and Jim stop by another wetland, filled with Sphagnum moss, Swamp Tupelo trees, Sweet Bay trees, and Virginia Chain fern. All these plants thrive in areas such as this one, with increased...

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 4

Episode 6

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

A boardwalk takes Rudy and Jim from the hardwood area of the previous stop into a swamp forest. Here, Bald Cypress trees and Tupelo trees dominate. Lizard Tail, commonly found in this area, gets its...

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 1

Episode 3

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Underneath the pine trees, another community of plants resides in the area: Yellow-ray flowers, Purple Vein milkweed, and Catbells.

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 1

Episode 2

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

The pine forest is home to two species of woodpecker birds: the Red Cockaded woodpecker, and the Ladder-Backed woodpecker.

Savannah River Site (S.C.) Stop 3

Episode 5

Video

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Ecology Laboratory Research Site: This area is a mixed hardwood forest, with Spanish moss dangling from the branches. Water oaks are the most prominent trees here. Other common plants in the area are...

Explore South Carolina

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