An Unforgettable Day of Discovery and Awe in God’s Creation

HHCA’s second-grade students recently took their learning on the road with an exciting trip to the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, perfectly complementing their current reading unit, “Our Incredible Earth.” The adventure gave students a meaningful, hands-on opportunity to explore the wonders of the natural world—right in their own backyard.

The field trip aligned with the class’s study of Earth’s habitats and the incredible creatures that call them home. Living in the Lowcountry, students are surrounded by evidence of God’s magnificent creation, and the aquarium visit helped bring those lessons to life in vibrant, unforgettable ways.

At the aquarium, students encountered many animals native to South Carolina’s coastal environments and learned how each one is specially designed to adapt to its unique habitat. From the shallow touch tanks to the deep-sea exhibits, curiosity and excitement were on full display.

Among the highlights? The touch tanks, where students got hands-on (literally!) with sharks, hermit crabs, sea urchins, and starfish. For many, this was their first time touching these fascinating creatures—and the squeals of delight were hard to miss!

The hurricane tunnel stole the show. Students couldn’t get enough of this high-energy experience, where they braved simulated hurricane-force winds and came away with wide eyes and big smiles.

When it came to picking favorite animals, sharks and sea turtles were clear winners—though Liberty the bald eagle also made quite the impression with her majestic presence.

This field trip was more than just a fun day away from campus—it was a powerful extension of our inquiry-based approach to learning, where curiosity drives discovery and students are encouraged to explore the world around them as a reflection of God’s creativity and care.

Kristal Dobbs, HHCA Second Grade Mentor

We’re so thankful for the chance to explore our “incredible Earth” through this experience and for the teachers and parents who helped make it possible!