HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Science Center is a hands-on science museum located in Hickory, North Carolina.
The Catawba Science Center was started in 1975 with the purpose being to “engage children in science activities and teach them the world around them,” according to Executive Director Tracy Hall.
The science center has exhibits for all ages. There is a naturalist center, planetarium, and aquarium.
The museum started in an old house in downtown Hickory. It later moved to ts current building along Third Avenue Northeast. This location allowed the exhibits to expand to include hands-on activities.
Fifteen years ago, the planetarium and aquarium were brought to the museum. Hall said this allowed families to “see marine life even though we live in the western part of North Carolina. For many, this will be the only way to have that meaningful experience."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum had to close for six months.
“That’s devasting not to have the revenue of admissions and exhibit sponsors," Hall explained.
During those months, museum staff took advantage of the empty museum to clean and upgrade exhibits.
The science center is once again open at regular hours and open to the public.
April is a month of celebrating science in North Carolina. To mark the occasion, WCNC Charlotte's Larry Sprinkle visited the museum.
Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.