Program Guide

Offerings at a glance

CSC programs feature grade-specific, hands-on experiences in natural, physical and earth sciences.

All programs complement the NC Standard Course of Study Science, Math and Language Arts curriculum goals, as listed below each description. All CSC programs are designed to further students’ understanding of the Nature of Science.

Classroom Programs

A field trip to Catawba Science Center is an exciting opportunity for groups to share interactive learning experiences. In addition to your chosen program, your group is free to explore the entire museum. Staff is located throughout CSC to enrich your group’s visit.

Length: 50 or 80 minutes (noted in description)
Group size: 30 students maximum per program
Available between 9 a.m. & 4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday
Classes begin on the hour, or half-hour only.

[ Click here for a listing of classroom programs for grades Pre-K – 8th ]

Outreach Programs

Instead of scheduling a field trip to CSC, we can bring some of the same exciting classroom programs to your site. Please note within each class description whether or not the program is offered as outreach.

Length: 50 or 80 minutes (noted in descriptions)
Group size: 30 students maximum per program.
Available between 8:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m., Tuesday - Friday

*Outreach programs conducted in counties other than Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba must total at least $250 (plus mileage) per day.

High School programs

THE UNIVERSE – BLACK HOLES (Grades 9-12): Dive deep into the science of space, star evolution and black holes, beginning with the digital film Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity. The stuff of the universe will be put under a telescope. Program available only at CSC.

Time: 50 minutes
Earth/Environmental Science Goals: 6.01-6.05
Physical Science Goals: 2.01, 2.02
Physics Science Goals: 2.01-6.01

Assembly Programs

These programs will both educate and entertain large groups. Learn fascinating facts about live reptiles or observe exciting physical science demonstrations.

Length: 50 minutes
Group size: 200 students maximum per outreach program, 100 students maximum per program at CSC.
Available between 9 a.m. & 3:30 p.m., Tuesday - Friday

*Outreach programs conducted in counties other than Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba must total at least $250 (plus mileage) per day.

Planetarium Programs & Shows

The planetarium/digital theater brings the nighttime sky alive indoors. Programs are available for grades K-12, and focus on stars, the moon, planets and constellations. Groups can also choose to book a digital theater show, for the program fee.

Length: 50 minutes for programs, shows vary in length
Location: CSC
Available between 9 a.m. & 12 p.m., Tuesday - Friday
Group size: Planetarium programs can accommodate two classes at a time up to 65 participants. For programs, only groups from the same school will be combined. For digital theater shows, groups from different grades/schools may be combined. Programs held within the planetarium/digital dome theater will have limited seating. The number of chaperones admitted per group will vary depending on space.

Park Programs

Students, kindergarten through 8th grade, will use their science investigation skills to explore ecosystems that include wetlands, field, forest and/or stream. Located in northwest Hickory, Glenn Hilton Park affords great learning opportunities, picnic shelters and play areas.

The city of Hickory requires registration and a fee for groups from outside Catawba County to use picnic shelters. For more information about these guidelines, or to make a reservation, call Hickory City Parks at (828) 322-7046.

Length: 50 minutes to 1 hour, 20 minutes
(see description under grade level)
Location: Glenn Hilton Park
Group size: 30 students maximum per program.
Maximum 2 groups per time slot.
Available between 9 a.m. & 4 p.m., Tuesday - Friday;
August - October, and April - June

Museum Exploration Only
(No Program)

Self-guided explorations without programs are available to any group of 10 or more. A special group rate for this self-guided experience is $4 per student.
(CSC Membership benefits do not apply for students or chaperones.)

Preschool Programs

CSC preschool staff use puppets, puzzles, live animals and more to introduce science to your students. Programs are available on site and as outreach.

Cost: $75 per program (contract for entire year available at varying rates)
Length: 45 minutes
Group size: 25 students maximum per program

Science Inquiry Festival

HEALTH INVESTIGATORS

Can snakes hear? Why do sharks have so many teeth? What allows a person to balance himself? Discover the answers to these questions and many more when your school books a Science Inquiry Festival. Each of the six stations features guided scientific investigations where students are able to hone their inquiry skills as they generate hypotheses, make observations and interpret their findings.

Students will test their reaction time, compare brain sizes of animals, discover how heart rate is affected by activity, and observe amazing properties of light and sound in this exciting and popular outreach program.

You can book a school-day or evening festival (or a multi-day event) at a low, per-student cost.

Grade Levels: Kindergarten — 8th Grade
Length: Up to five, one-hour sessions per day, or one three-hour evening session
Cost: $350 first day or evening; $150 for a second day/evening option
Mileage (Outside of Unifour Counties only): current federal mileage rate + minimal per diem charge if overnight stay is required

Program Requirements: School must provide a gymnasium-sized room with access to water and electricity, 12 tables and chairs, and a minimum of 12 adult or high school volunteers to manage stations.

The Science Inquiry Festival complements the following NC Standard Course of Study goals for Healthful Living, Science, Math and Language Arts: The Nature of Science; Science as Inquiry; Science and Technology; Science in Personal and Social Perspectives; Number Sense, Numeration, and Numerical Operations; Spatial Sense, Measurement, and Geometry; Patterns, Relationships and Functions; Data, Probability, and Statistics; Oral Language; and Written Language.

Health Investigators Science Inquiry Festival is sponsored by Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC) of Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Family Science Nights For Your School

Looking for a fun and educational event for your school? CSC would love to host your students and their families for an exciting evening, featuring an after-hours visit of exhibits and planetarium programming, or a series of themed classes.

Call (828) 322-8169 for pricing and scheduling information.

Assemblies

PHYSICAL SCIENCE SHOWCASE (upper elementary – middle school): Dynamic demonstrations will excite your students about the world of physical science! Witness a tablecloth yank, lying on a bed of nails, a banana hammer and more as you learn about pressure, inertia, electricity and several other amazing phenomena. (Program requires an hour for set-up.)
Program requirements: access to electrical outlets and two 6’ tables

REALLY RAD REPTILES (elementary – middle school): Get up-close and personal with a variety of live animals as your students discover the fascinating world of reptiles. Find out which characteristics alligators, snakes, lizards and tortoises share with each other and other animals, along with what makes each unique.
Program requirement: at least one 6’ table

Programs available as Outreach or at CSC

[ Click here for a program and outreach fee schedule ]

[ Click here for worksheet to download and print, and plan your visit to CSC ]