'; 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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butterfly

So Many Things to Discover!

TODAY'S PROGRAMS & EVENTS

  • Amphibian Week

    May 11, 2024  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    It's Amphibian Week! 
    Hop your way into the Naturalist Center from 10 AM – 12 PM on Saturday, May 11 for a Naturalist Program to learn all about amphibians and the amazing qualities they have!

  • Spark: A STEM Career Showcase!

    May 11, 2024  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Don't miss this month's Spark event featuring Western Piedmont Council of Governments in the Foothills Collaboratory! SPARK is a STEM career showcase featuring local industries in the Carolina Foothills. Participate in guided activities based on their careers. The LAB can be found at the end of the South entrance hallway across from Velo-City. This program is free with the price of admission

TODAY'S PLANETARIUM EVENTS

  • S.E.T.I - The Search for Extra - Terrestrial Intelligence

    May 11, 2024  11:00 am - 11:30 am

    23 minutes

    A show that explores all sides of this topic, from the planets we are finding around other stars, to the feasibility of traveling to the stars, and what aliens might actually be like, to the possibility that UFOs have been visiting and the various methods that scientists are using to get in touch. Will we make contact in our lifetimes? This stunning immersive show guides you through the myriad of ideas to a surprising conclusion.

    Show Begins at 11:00 AM

  • Magic Tree House: Mission to Space

    May 11, 2024  2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

    30 minutes

    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.

    Show Begins at 2:00 PM

  • S.E.T.I - The Search for Extra - Terrestrial Intelligence

    May 11, 2024  3:00 pm - 3:30 pm

    23 minutes

    A show that explores all sides of this topic, from the planets we are finding around other stars, to the feasibility of traveling to the stars, and what aliens might actually be like, to the possibility that UFOs have been visiting and the various methods that scientists are using to get in touch. Will we make contact in our lifetimes? This stunning immersive show guides you through the myriad of ideas to a surprising conclusion.

    Show Begins at 3:00 PM

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.

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.

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.

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.

shark
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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.