When you give to CSC, you help spark curiosity, fuel discovery, and change lives. Your generous support helps us:
Create engaging exhibits that captivate minds of all ages!
Deliver transformative educational experiences to youth across 27 counties!
Care for over 300 amazing animals who call CSC home!
Ensure access to quality science experiences for all!
Your gift inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Together, we can build a brighter, more curious future. Thank you for your support!
As a nonprofit organization, the annual fund provides the critical support that keeps our doors open, our programs thriving, and our impact growing across the community we serve.
This year, we celebrate a remarkable milestone — 50 years of changing lives and inspiring learning through science and wonder.
Since first opening our doors in 1975, CSC has welcomed generations of visitors, fostering curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. What began as a small community initiative has grown into a vibrant, regional hub for STEM education, serving more than 125,000 students, families, and visitors annually.
As we celebrate half a century of educational impact, we invite you to be a part of our future.
Every donation—big or small—makes a lasting impact.
Make your donation by June 30, 2026, to be recognized on our Donor Screens in the Arts & Science Building and receive the benefits outlined below.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Catawba Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
EIN: 56-1073440
For more information on how you, or your business, can support CSC, contact CSC’s Executive Director or the Development Office at donorrelations@catawbascience.org or 828.322.8169 x. 339
Fabulous and I don’t often give praise. We took our grandson and were there for hours. He loved it and so did we.
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.
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.
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.