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, 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 the following counties who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health...
Who is eligible: Residents of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and Lincoln Counties AND receive WIC/SNAP/Medicaid benefits.
Through the Portal to Science Passport program, qualifying families are invited to visit Catawba Science Center for $3.00 (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 Classic Level Membership on the Portal to Science Application below. Quantities are limited. Choose the membership that works for you!
Catawba Science Center is pleased to invite qualifying families to apply for a scholarship to attend our Homeschool Classes and/or Summer Fun Science Camps. Quantities are limited. Once all scholarships are awarded, applications will be closed until the new fiscal year (July 1st). Remember to complete a separate scholarship application (below) for each child.
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.
Applications have closed for Homeschool Scholarships.
It’s true! As a recipient of Department of Social Services or Public Health benefits, you can visit Catawba Science Center as often as you'd like for $3 admission (plus tax) per person with a Portal to Science Passport card! Just show your benefits card/voucher and a valid North Carolina state-issued photo ID at our admissions desk, and fill out an application to receive your Portal to Science Passport card.
Portal to Science benefits are for residents of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba or Lincoln counties who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health.
Portal to Science will reduce the cost of admission to $3 plus tax per person for up to two adults and any children 18 and under in the same household. For example, if your family of four is visiting, Portal to Science admission would cost a total of $12 plus tax for your visit. At Catawba Science Center, children under the age of 3 are always free.
To receive a card for Portal to Science pricing, please apply online for program discounts or provide the following information at the admissions desk on the day of your visit:
The Portal to Science card allows you to bring up to two adults and any children 17 and under living in the same household. Children and adults both qualify.
Anytime you want! Portal to Science is not restricted to certain days or times. You and your family can enjoy CSC during any of our normal daytime business hours. It will not cover member discounts for special events and programs unless you have received a membership by applying for a Portal to Science Scholarship.
As many times as you’d like! There is no restriction on the number of times you and your family can visit CSC until the card expires on June 30 the following year.
No, we require guests to present documentation of benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health to Admissions, along with a matching state-issued photo ID. If your photo ID does not match the name printed on your documentation, you will not be able to sign up for a Portal to Science card.
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.
Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.
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.
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.
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.
