Monthly News & Updates

August 2025

Science After Dark: Laser Pink Floyd

Join us August 14th for a laser show with your favorite hits by Pink Floyd! The Wall at 6:00 PM and Dark Side of the Moon at 7:15 PM, in the Millholland Planetarium. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Adult only; beer and wine will be available for a donation.

Members: $7.50 Nonmembers: $9.50.

Buy Tickets!

FlutterBy Butterfly Habitat

The beloved FlutterBy Butterfly Habitat is open now through September 7th at the Catawba Science Center! Every three years, this exhibit sees the Outdoor Science Courtyard transformed into an enchanting butterfly oasis. Don't miss your chance to visit FlutterBy to learn about the butterfly life cycle! Be a part of our FlutterBy exhibit story and share with us your photos from the exhibit! Click below to submit yours.

Share Your Photos!

Turtle Travels

Turtle Travels is open now through September 7th at the Catawba Science Center! Learn about migration patterns by playing Turtle Migration in a giant board game. Discover nesting habitats, design a turtle-friendly housing development, and see how shell shapes suit different lifestyles and habitats. Find out how you can join conservation efforts related to these fascinating creatures throughout this exhibit. Make an additional stop at the Aquarium building to see our resident turtles and tortoises.

SPARK: A STEM

Career Showcase

Don't miss this month's SPARK event! We are pleased to host Catawba Valley Medical Center on Saturday, August 9th from 1 – 3 PM in the Foothills Collaboratory and Parrot Pals on Saturday, August 16th, from 1:30 – 2:30 PM in North Lobby! Spark is a STEM career showcase featuring local industries in the Carolina Foothills. Participate in guided activities based on their careers. Free event with the purchase of admission.

Guild Summer Social

Let's kick off the 25-26 season! Bring a friend and join us for a casual buy your own beverage meet and greet with current guild members and CSC staff. Meet the 25-26 season President, and celebrate kicking off the start of the planning season!

RSVP

Naturalist Program:

FlutterBYE

Enjoy one last flutter of fun at this month's Naturalist Program and learn all things butterflies! FlutterBYE on Saturday, August 23rd from 10 AM – 12 PM, outside of the FlutterBy exhibit.

Free event with the purchase of admission.

COMING SOON

Hickory Bot Battles

Catawba Science Center is proud to host the 8th annual Hickory Bot Battles combat robot competition, returning September 12th & 13th, 2025, Carpenter Hall! Featuring over 100 competitive combat robot builders, robots weighing up to three pounds fight to the "death" in the 8’ x 8’ bullet-proof arena with a fiberglass floor.

Learn More!

Mindbender Mansion

Enter the wonderfully puzzling world of Mindbender Mansion, an eclectic place full of brainteasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers! Coming soon to CSC on September 20th! Members-only opening September 19th. Not a member? Join today to see exhibits early and anytime FREE! Click below to learn more!

Become a Member!

Cheers to 50 Years Block Party

Save the date! CSC is hosting a block party in celebration of 50 years dedicated to science, fun, and discovery! Enjoy a day of exhibit exploration and fun activities for all! On Saturday, September 27th from 10 AM – 4 PM, at the SALT Block!

Plan Your Visit!

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2025 - 2026 Homeschool Science Classes

Enroll now for another year of hands-on science fun! Homeschool classes offer enriching science opportunities for Pre-K through High School learners in geology, biology, astronomy, environmental science, and more! Choose your classes from the full guide, then register online today with the link below!

Learn more!

NOW PLAYING

in the Millholland Planetarium

Grateful Dead Laser Show

Catch a laser show in celebration of Jerry Garcia's birthday! Show features favorites from the American Rock Band Grateful Dead.

Saturday, Aug 2nd at 3 PM

Legend of the Enchanted Reef

Dive in with three friends on the ocean adventure of a lifetime. After a fishing trawler devastates their reef, the trio has no choice but to set out on a quest to find a new home. As they search the sea for a legendary reef, the friends encounter a variety of intriguing environments, from kelp forests to sunken wrecks—and even outer space

Flight of the Butterflies

The monarch butterfly is a true marvel of nature. Weighing less than a penny, it makes one of the longest migrations on Earth across a continent to a place it has never known. Follow the monarchs' perilous journey and join hundreds of millions of real butterflies in the remote mountain peaks of Mexico.

Always Above

Always Above explores how close space is to our daily lives, what type of satellites are up there, the threats that exist and the role that the U.S Space Force plays in launching, operating, and defending these assets.

View Planetarium Showtimes!

*Millholland Planetarium has a 65-person limit; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Educator – Part time

Birthday Party Presenter – Part time

Apply Now!

MEMBERSHIP

Reciprocal Membership!

CSC Members have access to free general admission to more than 380+ Science Centers around the world! The Association of Science and Technology Center’s (ASTC) Passport Program and more than 180 museums across the Southeast through the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program (SEMC). Click below to learn more today!

Learn More!

The Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Conservancy is open 10 AM - 3 PM during Garden open hours.

Learn More!

Looking for Another Live Butterfly Experience?

Check out the Butterfly Bungalow at Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont, NC, only an hour away! Step into a realm of fluttering wings and vibrant colors as you explore. Watch butterflies emerge from chrysalides, explore a pollinator paradise, search for hungry caterpillars among the leaves, feed a butterfly on a feeding sponge, and more! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn about and interact with the butterflies you may find in your own backyard.

Sign up for the NC Science Trail Explorer Newsletter to see all the events happening across the great state of North Carolina! Check the list of reciprocal partners for museums that you can visit for free with your CSC membership!

Subscribe Today!

Portal to Science Program

Get discounted CSC Admission for only $3! The Portal to Science program provides low-cost admission to families in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, or Lincoln counties who receive benefits from the Department of Social Services or Public Health.

Learn how to qualify and get your Portal to Science card today!

Find Out How!

CSC COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Get Your Discounts Today!

CELEBRATE WITH SCIENCE!

Have your next birthday party at the Science Center!

Entertaining, educational, and fun! Choose from 5 + different science themes, and let us do the rest!*

Book Your Party at CSC!

JULY BIRTHDAYS!

Emilia Hatton

Camden Shook

Ezra Platt

Briella Bowers

Caspian Brandy

Austin Randall

Kanye Silas

PARTNERS IN SCIENCE

Thank you to CSC's Partners in Science for providing essential support for science education programs during the 2025-2026 school year. Our Partners support helps CSC keep program fees reasonably priced so that area schools can participate in hands-on science education at CSC!

PREMIER LEVEL

Broyhill Family Foundation

Alex Lee, Inc.

Appalachian State University

Catawba Valley Animal Hospital

Microsoft

Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Hickory, NC

WHATABURGER

EXECUTIVE LEVEL