CHANGING LIVES AND INSPIRING LEARNING THROUGH SCIENCE AND WONDER.
Through the Portal to Science Program, Catawba Science Center is committed to making science education accessible by offering discounted admission, annual memberships, and scholarships to attend programs including Homeschool Classes and Summer Fun Science Camps. The Portal to Science Program is currently available to residents of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Lincoln counties who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health. CSC’s Portal to Science Program is made possible through the generous support of the Beaver Family Foundation, Duke Energy, L.B. Lane Family Foundation, Walmart Foundation, and the NC Science Museums Grant.
Our four areas of scholarship include the following:
Through the Portal to Science Passport program, qualifying families are invited to visit Catawba Science Center for $2.00 (plus tax) per person for up to two adults and children 17 and under. To apply for a discount card, please provide a valid photo ID and documentation of your benefits (EBT/WIC/SNAP card, Medicaid card, etc.) at the admissions desk on the day of your visit.
Catawba Science Center is pleased to invite qualifying families to apply for a free annual membership on the Portal to Science Application below. Quantities are limited.
Catawba Science Center is please to invite qualifying families to apply for a scholarship to attend our Homeschool Classes and/or Summer Fun Science Camps. Please submit applications at least one week prior to the date that your desired class or camp begins. Quantities are limited. Remember to complete a separate scholarship application for each child.
The Scholarship application for Summer Fun 2024 is now closed.
1. Fill out the Scholarship Application* (located below).
2. Fill out EITHER the Homeschool or Summer Fun registration (located above).
3. Your application is timestamped and received in the order they are submitted. Scholarship recipients will be notified via e-mail.
4. Scholarships awards are limited and will be awarded as funding is available.
*When applying for a membership, please only fill out the Scholarship Application.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.
