FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

PBS NORTH CAROLINA TO LAUNCH SEASON 5 OF ‘SCI NC’ ON SEPTEMBER 1 

The new season uncovers scientific discoveries happening across the state, from efforts to create a ‘super vaccine’ to a study that tracks great white sharks along the NC coast. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 8/31/2022 — PBS North Carolina announces season five of its original science series Sci NC. Hosted by Emmy Award–winning reporter Frank Graff, Sci NC explores the frontiers of human discovery with the North Carolina researchers dedicated to solving some of today’s biggest challenges. The new season premieres Thursday, September 1, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC and the PBS Video App. A special shark-themed episode debuts Thursday, September 8, at 2 PM as part of the network’s first-ever Sharkathon, an eight-hour block of programs about the misunderstood ocean predator. 

“The new season of Sci NC continues to show viewers a broad range of science across our state,” says PBS North Carolina’s Frank Graff, who is also the series’ executive producer. “Highlights include a close look at sharks off our coast, the search for a rare salamander found only in North Carolina as well as research into a “super vaccine” that offers protection from all coronaviruses, including the virus that causes COVID.” This season, Sci NC will also feature playful segments produced by NC Culture Kids, a series from the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that answers questions like, “Do rhinos go to the dentist,” “How are seashells made” and “What makes a waterfall.” 

“At Sci NC, we define science pretty broadly: from vaccine research and canine cognition to the development of low water use toilets for communities where access to clean water is a problem,” says Graff. “We look at the ways science touches our daily lives as well as the research and innovation happening in government labs, universities and private industry. But all our stories explore science in North Carolina, which perfectly fits with our mission as a statewide public media network.” 

Sharkathon on September 8 

There are about 73 species of shark that live or swim through North Carolina’s waters each year. PBS NC will celebrate the ocean’s most misunderstood predator with Sharkathon, an eight-hour block of programson PBS NC on Thursday, September 8, 2–6 PM and 7–11 PM. Sci NC kicks off the Sharkathon at 2 PM with stories about the great white sharks along the NC coast, why sand tiger sharks make themselves at home on shipwrecks, the changing migration patterns of blacktip sharks and what we can learn from the fossilized teeth of the prehistoric megalodon, the largest shark that has ever lived. 

Additional programs examine an epic underwater attack on a great white shark, nonlethal solutions to shark attacks, sustainable shark-fishing practices and the sharks of Hawaii. Plus British naturalist Steve Backshall goes to a remote volcanic island to discover how to help protect a new generation of ocean giants. 

Funding for Sci NC and Sharkathon is provided by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. 

Broadcast Schedule 

Sci NC airs Thursdays, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC. Visit pbsnc.org/schedule for the latest scheduling information. 

Episode 1: “All Kinds of Creatures” 
Premieres September 1, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: The Neuse River Waterdog salamander, butterflies in slo-mo, endangered gopher frogs and sea turtle nesting at Fort Fisher. 

Episode 2: “Sharks! 
Premieres September 8, 2 PM (re-airing at 9:30 PM), on PBS NC, as part of Sharkathon 
Topics: Great white sharks on the NC coast, sand tiger sharks and shipwrecks, black tip shark migration and fossilized megalodon shark teeth. 

Episode 3: “Tech Science” 
Premieres September 15, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Building toilets to stop a world health crisis, a project to develop a bionic ankle, a virtual tour of a 17th-century London cathedral, coyote and fox behavior and a rhino dental exam. 

Episode 4: “Water Science” 
Premieres September 22, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Nuisance or “sunny day” flooding, dangerous algae blooms, water insect research and saving Lake Waccamaw. 

Episode 5: “Ecosystems of NC” 
Premieres September 29, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Grandfather Mountain and climate change, cockroaches in slo-mo, dragonfly mysteries and the butterfly life cycle. 

Episode 6: “Health Science” 
Premieres October 6, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Eliminating the stigma of autism, NC A&T studies how medications affect the brain, efforts to create a “super vaccine” and your blood sample’s journey in the lab. 

Episode 7: “Getting Comfortable” 
Premieres October 13, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Shark migration, beavers as nature’s best engineers, canine behavior research and how seashells are made. 

Episode 8: “Science of Place—Oh My!” 
Premieres October 20, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Sharks and shipwrecks, urban heat islands, 3D-printed artificial reefs and how Hanging Rock State Park got its waterfalls. 

Episode 9: “Discoveries & Collections” 
Premieres October 27, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: The prehistoric megalodon shark, saving the red cockaded woodpecker and the Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site. 

Episode 10: “Unseen Science” 
Premieres November 3, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: Great white sharks off the NC coast, thriving ecosystems in shipwrecks, a professor goes to space and research on how to create ultra-black materials. 

Episode 11: “Science of Iconic NC” 
Premieres November 10, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: The Frying Pan Shoals weather station, the invasive kudzu vine,woodchucks and groundhogs and Grandfather Mountain’s unique ecosystems. 

Episode 12: “Connections with Habitats” 
Premieres November 17, 9:30 PM, on PBS NC 
Topics: A visit to UNC’s Center for Galapagos Studies, the secrets of wetlands, the Carolina Sandhills salamander, tracking foxes, bobcats and coyotes in western North Carolina and a rare look at cockroach eggs as they hatch. 

For additional stories about science and nature, visit pbsnc.org/blogs/science and Sci NC’s YouTube channel. 

About the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources  

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. NCDNCR’s mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism and promoting economic development. For more information, please visit ncdcr.gov. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS Kids and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS NC serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

-PBS NC- 

Media Contact 
Kathleen Kramer, PBS North Carolina 
Kkramer@pbsnc.org 
919-549-7059