​We get a lot of questions during our program but probably the most commonly asked one is what were our classroom areas when the ship was still in service. Well that depends on which part of the program you are in. If you find yourself doing science then you are sitting where enlisted sailors would eat. The science classroom is located in what once was a mess hall. It would have functioned similarly to how your cafeteria works now. If you are in the middle of helping the Doolittle Raiders then you are in what was once a berthing area. That means that sailors would have slept there. Each sailor would have gotten their own bunk and there were 72 berthing areas total! Finally, if you or your teacher ever goes up to the education office you would be standing in the antisubmarine warfare room. It was known as ASCAC. In this room they would track and identify enemy submarines.   

​Have you ever heard the term invasive species? It refers to organism (either plant or animal) that have been moved to an area that they were not originally found in. Today they are a major problem around the world with many of them causing massive damage to the natural populations. Here in South Carolina, we are no different when it comes to be invaded. Many scientists are looking at how these introduced species are affecting the naturally occurring species. In fact here at Patriots Point we are partners with a College of Charleston professor Eric Sotka, who is looking at the effect that Japanese red algae is having here in Charleston. This project is open to the public as a citizen science project, so if you would like to learn more about check out our science spotlight page!