Catawba Science Center On The SALT Block • 243 3rd Avenue NE • PO Box 2431 • Hickory, NC 28603 • Phone: (828) 322-8169 • Fax: (828) 322-1585

Welcome to Catawba Science Center, where hands-on
learning makes science fun!

Our Mission

To further the public’s understanding of science and technology in the Western Piedmont through the use of educational programs, teaching collections and activities that emphasize physical participation.

CSC’s permanent exhibit areas explore Physical, Natural and Earth sciences, while interactive traveling exhibits rotate throughout the year.

Freshwater and saltwater aquarium exhibits – featuring North Carolina’s only marine touch pool with LIVE sharks and stingrays -- offer exciting hands-on learning experiences in immersive habitats.



Featured Temporary Exhibits


TreeHouses - Look Who's Living in the Trees!
January 23 – May 16, 2010
CARPENTER HALL

Get an up-close look at who lives in the trees during this exploratory exhibit featuring live animals, hands-on activities, lessons on conservation and more.

Sponsored by
George Foundation
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities of NC
CommScope
Unifour Foundation



Spin: The Science of Rotation

For a Limited Time
EDGERTON GALLERY

Create your own mini-laser show, build a top and take a “spin” in the Human Centrifuge in this fun-filled exhibit all about rotation.



Permanent Exhibits


Saltwater Gallery

Sharks & Stingrays



See and touch different species of LIVE sharks and stingrays in this hands-on marine habitat. Live shark feedings are held daily.

[ Click here for an underwater view of the Sharks & Rays touch pool ]

Coastal North Carolina

Explore a coastal habitat for marine creatures, and the chance to see and touch sea stars, urchins, conchs, horseshoe and hermit crabs, reef fish and more.

[ Click here for an underwater view of the Coastal Carolina touch pool ]



Freshwater Gallery

Featuring Expedition Amazon

Amazon Basin

See rare and remarkable fish, frogs, snakes, turtles and birds native to the Amazon Basin. Look closely for freshwater stingrays and brilliantly colored poison dart frogs.


Amazon Oxbow



Get an underwater view of a variety of fish found in an Amazon oxbow lake – including Silver Arowana, Tiger Shovelnose Catfish and beautiful Peacock Bass. Learn about oxbows, or crescent-shaped lakes in lowland Amazonia that form when a river changes course.


Wall of Life

Biotope aquariums display species native to various habitats in South America – whitewater, brackish and blackwater streams, as well as an up-close look at predator, camouflage and endangered fish species. Expedition Amazon includes electric fish, including knifefish and a three-foot electric eel.

[ Click here for look at a Yellow Eartheater fish, found in a whitewater stream ]



Hall of Astronomy

Explore the surface of Mars using a robot arm, view live images of our solar system downloaded from the Hubble Spacecraft, create a dust devil and see a model of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover in this hands-on exhibit area located just outside the doors to the Millholland Planetarium.



Energy Avenue



Create and launch rockets, race a friend on pulley playground, take a spin in Spin Circle, power a TV and electric fan, and more. Energy Avenue is located in the lower level of CSC.


Inventor's Workshop

Design your own invention, build a rocket, experiment with circuits, make a car that runs on air and bring your invention to life at the “Wall of Moving Art.” Activities feature Take-Apart-Days, weekend demonstrations and cool events.


VR Xtreme

Be part of a water cycle, slam dunk on the basketball court and make your own music in VR Xtreme, Catawba Science Center’s virtual reality theater, located just off Energy Avenue on the lower level of CSC.


EarthWatch Center

Learn about conditions on the sun, experience the motion of an earthquake, make waves and experiment with forces of water on the stream table. Located off Energy Avenue on the lower level of CSC.


Science Courtyard

Discover science North Carolina style. Climb the mountain wall, experiment with sound and search for fossils at the end of the brook. This outdoor exhibit space is closed during inclement weather.


Naturalist Center

Visit CSC's recently remodeled Naturalist Center – home of Swampy the Alligator and Seymour, an African spur tortoise, and Pedro, a desert tortoise. Observe live reptiles, amphibians, insects and arachnids, in addition to an eclectic collection of preserved animals, insects, fossils and more.


Explore It!

Explore the world around you - visit a farm, treehouse and play with the puppet animals inside, experiment with light, go fishing and build an igloo with "ice blocks" in this colorful, interactive learning space for CSC's youngest visitors.


RaceWays

Explore the principles of motion in this high-speed exhibit area with hands-on activities using balls and various types of tracks.

 
 
 

Home | Visit < Admissions < Hours < Directions < Exhibits < Planetarium < Laser Shows | Exhibits < Permanent < Temporary < Exhibit Rentals | Planetarium < Features < Tickets/Showtimes
< Laser Shows | Birthdays/Camps < Birthday Parties < Scout Camp-ins < Family Camp-ins < Science Camps | Educational Programs < Homeschool < Preschool < Science Camps
< Public Programs | Schools < Field Trips < Program Guides < Teacher Resources < Workshops < Kits < Educators e-News | Adults < Science After Dark < Laser Shows < Public Programs
< Facility Rentals | Join/Support < Membership < Donate < Guild < Volunteer < Employment | Science Shop

© 2008 Catawba Science Center