'; Changing Lives and Inspiring Learning Through Science and Wonder.
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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 children’s museum offering rotating hands-on exhibits, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a state-of-the-art digital planetarium. Our mission is to change lives and inspire learning through science and wonder! We are dedicated to providing a fun learning environment through relevant science experiences in our many exhibitions and habitats.

Catawba Science Center offers interactive and educational school field trips, engaging summer camps for youth pre-K through rising ninth grade, birthday parties, preschool science programs, homeschool classes, adult science evening programming & more! We strive to provide an inclusive and engaging atmosphere for people of all ages!

 

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So Many Things to Discover!

TODAY'S PROGRAMS & EVENTS

Nothing from March 29, 2024 to March 30, 2024.

TODAY'S PLANETARIUM EVENTS

  • The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather

    March 29, 2024  2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    24 minutes

    The stalwart heroes of the Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather on planet Zula for scientist Multa's research - using their loyal pet, Gorga's, ability to collect and bottle all kinds of weather. But when the Zula gang, inadvertently, hurts Gorga's feelings, he decides to leave Zula and live on another planet. Interplanetary villain, Dark Truder tricks Gorga into stealing the weather from other planets - part of his latest nefarious scheme to rule the universe. The Zula Patrol finds out and goes after him and in the process learns all about weather, both terrestrial and interplanetary.

    Show Begins at 2:00 PM


  • Living Worlds

    March 29, 2024  3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

    27 minutes

    Whether earthly or alien, all life leaves a trace. Journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable, where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos, and what new technologies we might use to find it. Along the way, you'll learn how light and color can help us spot other living worlds even from vast distances-and develop a new appreciation for the one-of-a-kind planet right beneath our feet.

    Show Begins at 3:00 PM


Tiffany F.

We love the Science Center! I take my 2 and 4 year old boys weekly to play and enjoy the exhibits. The staff are wonderful and the classes offered are excellent! We are so blessed to have such an amazing resource in our area.

– Tiffany F.

Meredith C.

What a wonderful place to visit! Great environment to learn and the staff is very helpful! Hickory is lucky to have great family education and entertainment.

– Meredith C.

Sam H.

This place was great. We have kids from 8 to 1 and they all had a great time. What I really liked is most of the exhibits are hands on and that really kept them occupied.

– Sam H.

Larry W.

Took the kiddos and they loved it. Employees were nice and helpful. If your looking for something to do with the kids give this place a shot.

-Larry W.

Denise G.

Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.

– Denise G.

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NC Science Fest SEMC ASTC
Catawba Science Center
243 Third Avenue NE
PO Box 2431
Hickory, NC 28603
Phone: (828) 322 8169
Fax: (828) 322 1585
©2019 Catawba Science Center
Site design by: SEMC
Catawba Science Center, located in Hickory, provides fun for all ages, and is within a short drive from Morganton, Statesville, Lenoir, Lincolnton, and Western NC.