Looking for fun and educational things to do in Hickory and Western NC?

Plan a visit to Catawba Science Center, a 35,000 sq. ft. science and technology museum that offers a wide range of engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. With hands-on exhibits, animal habitats, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a planetarium we provide a fun and interactive learning environment. Our mission is to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder!

From engaging school field trips, homeschool classes, and preschool programs to summer camps, birthday parties, and adult science we have something for everyone. Come explore the wonders of the natural world in an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere that fosters curiosity and discovery!

 


Current Featured Exhibit:

DINOSAURS! Open NOW - December 6th

 

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So Much to Discover!

Ways to Support!

TODAY'S PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Nothing from May 30, 2026 to May 31, 2026.

TODAY'S PLANETARIUM SHOWS

  • Legend of the Enchanted Reef

    May 30, 2026  11:00 am - 11:30 am

    Dive in with three friends on the ocean adventure of a lifetime. After a fishing trawler devastates their reef, the trio has no choice but to set out on a quest to find a new home. As they search the sea for a legendary reef, the friends encounter a variety of intriguing environments, from kelp forests to sunken wrecks and even outer space!


  • Magic Tree House

    May 30, 2026  2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    Travel with Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House® bestselling children’s book series, as they visit an observatory and beyond into space with the help of an astronomer and astronaut.


  • Laser Led Zepplin

    May 30, 2026  3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    Led Zeppelin is proclaimed by many critics to be the progenitors of heavy metal and hard rock, and their individualistic style reset the standards for many musical genres in the 1960s and ‘70s. Now you can relive the magical sounds of Led Zeppelin while enjoying a visual treat of custom laser imagery.