Have you ever wondered how figure skaters spin or how the spinning teacups ride works? Explore physics, rotational inertia, centripetal force, and more.

SPIN: The Science of Rotation features dynamic exhibits that put you in the driver's seat as you explore the science of rotation. Sit in our giant Human Centrifuge to experience centripetal force in action, roll disks and spin wheels to learn how mass, size, and weight impact an object's rotation, and make your own laser art by changing the speed of spinning mirrors. Whatever your age, you'll love our spin on the world.

Admission is FREE for CSC members.

Thanks to Community Sponsors

Hickory Crawdads

Experience the power of 78 MPH winds in Wild Winds - CSC's new tornado simulator, located in the EarthWatch Center on the Ground Floor of the Main Building.

Cost is $2 per ride

($1 bills or credit cards)

Walk among the Dinosaurs in an immersive prehistoric setting and learn about habitats dating back to the late Permian, late Jurassic and late Cretaceous eras, now through Sept. 2.

Go beyond the bones and see how these prehistoric creatures may have looked and sounded when they roamed the Earth millions of years ago. Visit the exhibit's paleo-research camp, see "living fossils," unearth prehistoric relics and participate in Weekly Dino Demos: Wednesdays & Fridays at 4 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m.

Dino Family Day - June 9

Families will enjoy special activities tied to the Dinosaurs exhibit. Work together to build your own "Sculptasaurus" using colorful modeling clay. Activities from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. are included in admission. 

Birds, or Modern Day Dinosaurs?

2 p.m. - Arts & Science Choral Room

Are birds just modern day dinosaurs? Is Archaeopteryx no longer the oldest bird? Learn the answers to these and other questions during a special program with ASU Paleontologist Dr. Andy Heckert.

Free with general admission.

Dinosaurs is sponsored by George Foundation, Beaver Family Foundation, Catawba Valley Medical Center, Corning and Frye Regional Medical Center. Media sponsors are WFAE 90.3 fm,

WBTV-3, WNC Magazine and Kicks 103.3.

Weekly Dino demos, exhibit-related programs & trips

Discover the wonders of butterflies and find out

if a butterfly is always a butterfly. Learn the butterfly's life cycle.

Try on a pair of wings and pretend you are a butterfly, too.

Create a colorful butterfly to take home.

Open to preschoolers ages 3 to 5.

Registration info. 

Registration is now open for CSC's Summer Fun Science Camp for youth in grades pre-K through rising ninth.

This summer's science camp - June 11 - August 24 - offers 11 weeks of exciting and fun-filled science classes designed for specific age groups. Many classes will be tied to CSC's Dinosaurs exhibit, which will be on display throughout the summer.

New classes include: Diggin' Dinosaurs (pre-K & K), Cretaceous Creatures (1st & 2nd), Solar Science (1st & 2nd), Invertebrate Shuffle (3rd & 4th), On the Brink (3rd & 4th), Discovering Paleontololgy (5th & 6th), From Mountains to the Sea (5th & 6th), Aqua Marine (7th & 9th) and Jr. Naturalist for a Week (7th & 9th).

CSC members receive significant discounts. Early arrival and extended afternoon options are available for busy schedules.

Summer Fun classes, fees & registration forms 

Catawba Science Center offers a variety of engaging and educational birthday party packages for children ages 3 to 12. 

Science themes include Seashore Celebration, Meet the Animals, Science Magic, Dino-Mite and

Earth & Sky Spectacular.

Birthday Party Packages

Science Café

May 14 - 7 p.m.

Crescent Moon Café

256 1st Ave. NW, Hickory

Farm to Fuel: A Decentralized Approach

to Renewable Fuel Production

Join ASU biomass energy researcher Jeremy Farrell for a talk about Catawba County's EcoComplex biodiesel facility and operations to manufacture biodiesel from local resources. Take part in a conversation about project goals and economic development. Program is FREE. Patrons buy dinner & drinks.

Daytrip to Gray Fossil Site

June 16 - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of an active paleontological dig site and fossil museum in Gray, TN. Discoveries at this site include early mammals, such as tapirs, red pandas, short-nosed bears, shovel tusked elephants and a newly discovered badger, as well as fossilized remains of alligators, snakes, turtles and lizards. Observe paleontologists and their assistants at work excavating fossils.

CSC van departs from Arts & Science Center Parking Lot at 8 a.m., and will return at 6 p.m. that same day. Participants should bring a lunch, drink and raincoat or poncho.

Cost is $35 members/$50 nonmembers.

Includes van transportation from CSC and special tour.

Call (828) 322-8169 to learn more, reserve space and register today.

Dinosaur Dig in Colorado & Utah

June 24 - 30

A few spaces remain for this trip-of-a-lifetime...

Be a paleontologist for a week, while exploring sites of the great American West. Dig for early horses and mammals in Colorado, then travel to Utah to study dinosaur tracks, work at a dinosaur dig site and view Native American rock art. Week ends with a rafting trip on the Colorado River and work in a paleontology lab.

Call Bruce Beerbower for details  at (828) 322-8169, ext. 308, or visit

http://www.catawbascience.org/public_prog.html.

CSC Members receive many great benefits:

• FREE ADMISSION to CSC exhibits & aquaria*
• DISCOUNT ADMISSION to planetarium and laser shows
• DISCOUNT RATES on programs, camps, birthday parties, and Science After Dark
• 10% OFF of purchases in the Science Shop
• FREE SUBSCRIPTION to CSC's e-newsletter
• RECIPROCAL ADMISSION to 300+ participating ASTC Travel Passport museums  
• Member Night at Hickory Motor Speedway (Date TBA)    
• Member nights with Hickory Crawdads (6/8 and 8/18)                 1 FREE ticket for each CSC Individual/ Senior/ College Student Member, 4 FREE tickets for CSC Family/ Grandparent/ Supporting Members. Game details at: www.HickoryCrawdads.com 

*Free Admission does not apply when members visit CSC as part of an organized group (e.g. when participating in a school field trip to CSC)

To be eligible for discounted member rates on programs, your membership must be valid throughout the entire time you or your family members will be participating in the program. Renew now for discounted rates on Summer Fun Science Camp.

Annual and Supporting Level memberships are available.

Click here to see membership benefits and RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP.