STEM &amp; Science

1:30 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Wed, Sep 30 +51 dates

Incredible Science

Interactive science experiences at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences Downtown Raleigh.

1:00 PM Prairie Ridge, Raleigh

Wed, Sep 30

Migrating Monarchs

Nature program about monarch butterfly migration at Prairie Ridge nature center.

5–18 yrsOutdoor

Thu, Oct 1 +2 dates

Science Trivia

Science Trivia at Downtown Raleigh

7:00 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

0–18 yrs

Fri, Oct 2 +6 dates

Messengers of Time & Space

Planetarium show exploring time and space at Morehead in Chapel Hill.

3:00 PM Chapel Hill

Fri, Oct 2 +12 dates

Carolina Skies

Star-gazing planetarium show at Morehead Planetarium & Science Center.

4:30 PM Chapel Hill

Fri, Oct 2

Teen Science Café: Unwinding Spiral Galaxies

Teens explore the science of spiral galaxies through hands-on discussion at the Natural Sciences Museum.

10:00 AM Prairie Ridge, Raleigh

13–18 yrsIndoor

Fri, Oct 2

Spider Hunt

Guided spider hunt exploring nature at Prairie Ridge, part of NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

5–14 yrsOutdoor

Sat, Oct 3 +6 dates

We Are Stars

Planetarium show celebrating stars and our place in the universe.

1:30 PM Chapel Hill

Sat, Oct 3 +6 dates

From Earth to the Universe

Planetarium journey from Earth through the cosmos at Morehead.

3:00 PM Chapel Hill

Sat, Oct 3 +6 dates

Magic Tree House Space Mission

Planetarium show based on the Magic Tree House books at Morehead in Chapel Hill.

10:30 AM Chapel Hill

Sat, Oct 3 +3 dates

The Sun: Our Living Star

Planetarium show exploring the Sun's role in our solar system.

12:00 PM Chapel Hill

Sun, Oct 4 +6 dates

Solar System Odyssey

Planetarium show exploring the solar system at Morehead in Chapel Hill.

1:30 PM Chapel Hill

4–18 yrsIndoor

Sun, Oct 4 +6 dates

One Sky, Many Eyes

Planetarium show about cultural astronomy at Morehead in Chapel Hill.

4:30 PM Chapel Hill

4:30 PM 100 S. Church Street, Clayton, NC 27520, Clayton

Sun, Oct 4 +6 dates

Supermassive Black Holes

Planetarium show about supermassive black holes at Morehead in Chapel Hill.

3:00 PM Chapel Hill

6–18 yrsIndoor

Mon, Oct 5

Ultraviolet Experiment: K-2nd Grades

Hands-on science experiment exploring ultraviolet light for K–2nd graders.

5–8 yrsIndoor

Tue, Oct 6

Build Club

K–5 kids design and build with bricks, tiles, blocks & more each week.

2:30 PM 100 S. Church Street, Clayton, NC 27520, Clayton

5–14 yrsIndoor

Tue, Oct 6

Carolina Science Cafe: Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI?

Carolina Science Cafe: Who’s a Journalist in the Age of AI? at Haw River Tap & Table

6:00 PM Haw River Tap & Table, Carrboro

Free0–18 yrs

Wed, Oct 7

Early Explorers Lab

Hands-on active play lab building motor skills for toddlers and preschoolers.

1:30 PM 100 S. Church Street, Clayton, NC 27520, Clayton

5–10 yrsIndoor

Wed, Oct 7 +1 dates

Live Animal Feeding – Ocean Habitat

Watch live feeding demonstrations in the Ocean Habitat at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

10:45 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

7:00 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Thu, Oct 8

Return of the Wild: A Lewis and Clark Wildlife Resurvey

Wildlife exhibit inspired by the Lewis & Clark expedition downtown.

0–18 yrsOutdoor

Thu, Oct 8

Whiteville Teen Science Cafe: Burning for Quail

Teen-led science café exploring prescribed burns and wildlife management at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

6:00 PM Whiteville

13–18 yrsIndoor

Thu, Oct 8

Discovery Force - Fizz Factory

Fizzy science experiments exploring bubbles and carbonation at Orange County Library.

4:00 PM 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

8–11 yrsIndoor

Sat, Oct 10

Climate Up Close

Explore climate science up close at NC Museum of Natural Sciences' Nature Research Center.

2:00 PM Nature Research Center, Raleigh

10:00 AM Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill

Sat, Oct 10

Saturday Science Sparks

Hands-on science program at Morehead Planetarium.

10:00 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Sat, Oct 10 +2 dates

Astronaut

Planetarium show about the training, missions, and dreams of astronauts.

12:00 PM Chapel Hill

4–18 yrsIndoor

Sun, Oct 11 +2 dates

Dueling Dinosaurs Sensory Friendly Mornings

Sensory-friendly

Sensory-friendly dinosaur exhibit at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

2–12 yrsIndoor

Mon, Oct 12

Wonderkids - Gourd Vibes Only

Hands-on STEAM exploration for older preschoolers at the library.

3:45 PM 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

3–5 yrsIndoor

Tue, Oct 13

STEAM Career Showcase for Students with Disabilities

Explore STEAM careers and meet professionals at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

9:30 AM Nature Exploration Center, Raleigh

1:00 PM Duke Gardens–Pelham-Cullen Classroom in the Barnes Welcome Center, Durham

Wed, Oct 14

Botany Spotlight: Meet the Meat Eaters—Carnivorous Plants

Learn about carnivorous plants from a Duke biology professor at Duke Gardens.

$28+4–18 yrsIndoor

Thu, Oct 15

Member Discovery Day – Leaves and Legends

Member Discovery Day exploring leaves & legends at NC Museum of Natural Sciences — hands-on fun.

10:00 AM Duke Gardens–Barnes Welcome Center, Durham

Tue, Oct 20

On the Rocks: A Scree & Crevice Garden Tour

Explore Duke Gardens' scree & crevice gardens and discover tenacious alpine plants.

$24+5–18 yrsOutdoor

Tue, Oct 20

Curiosity Crew, K-2 - LEGOs

K–2 kids build and create with LEGOs in this hands-on library discovery program.

4:00 PM 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

5–8 yrsIndoor

Wed, Oct 21

Science Detectives: Green Plants

Hands-on science workshop about plants and photosynthesis at the museum.

10:30 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

10:45 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Wed, Oct 21

Science Detectives: Beyond the Study Skin

Hands-on science workshop exploring skin and body systems at the museum.

10:15 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Wed, Oct 21

Science Detectives: Pollinator Power

Hands-on science detective program exploring pollinators at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

4:00 PM 137 W. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough

Thu, Oct 22

Discovery Force - Big Things, Small Spaces!

Hands-on science experiments exploring floating, sinking, and volume for grades 3–5.

8–11 yrsIndoor

Fri, Oct 23

Educator Trek: Got Elk?

Educator Trek: Got Elk? at In the Field

2:00 PM In the Field, Raleigh

0–18 yrs

Fri, Oct 23

Adult Nights: Tales of Woe

Adult Nights: Tales of Woe at Downtown Raleigh

6:30 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

0–18 yrs

Sat, Oct 24

Educator Trek: Butterfly Pinning and Backyard Bug Collecting

Hands-on bug collecting and pinning at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

9:00 AM Nature Research Center, Raleigh

Fri, Oct 30 +1 dates

Scare-olina Skies

Spooky planetarium show about stars and space at Morehead Planetarium.

6:00 PM Chapel Hill

9:30 AM Occoneechee Mountain, Durham

Sat, Oct 31

Botanizing at Occoneechee Mountain

Hike a hidden gem of NC forest with Duke's biology professor to spot diverse native plants.

$38+5–18 yrsOutdoor

Fri, Nov 6

Museum Movie Night: Jurassic Park

Family movie night featuring Jurassic Park at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

5:30 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

2:00 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

Sat, Nov 7 +3 dates

Museum Untold Tour

Guided walking tour exploring untold natural-history stories downtown.

$25+5–18 yrsOutdoor

Sat, Nov 7 +3 dates

The ICONS Tour

Guided tour of iconic natural-science landmarks and exhibits downtown.

11:00 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

5–18 yrsOutdoor

Fri, Nov 13

North Carolina Symphony - How to Train Your Dragon

NC Symphony performs the "How to Train Your Dragon" film with live orchestra accompaniment.

7:30 PM Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, Raleigh

4–18 yrsIndoor

Thu, Nov 19 +2 dates

Science Café

Interactive science discussion café at NC Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.

7:00 PM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

8–18 yrsIndoor

Sat, Nov 21

A World of Weird and Wonderful Plants: Duke Research Greenhouse Tour

Guided tour of Duke's research greenhouse showcasing amazing plants from around the world.

10:00 AM Duke Research Greenhouse–Directions to Follow, Durham

$30+4–18 yrsIndoor

Tue, Dec 1

Botany Spotlight: Lichen

Nature walk exploring lichen at Duke Gardens.

1:00 PM Duke Gardens–Pelham-Cullen Classroom in the Barnes Welcome Center, Durham

$24+5–18 yrsOutdoor

Sat, Feb 6 +1 dates

Astronomy Days 2027

Explore the night sky with planetarium shows and astronomy activities.

10:00 AM Downtown Raleigh, Raleigh

6:00 PM Nature Exploration Center, Raleigh

Thu, Mar 18

Dragons: VIP Reception (Naturalist, Explorers, & Brimley Exclusive)

Members-only dragon exhibit reception at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Sat, Mar 27

Member Night: Dragons

Members' night with dragons exhibit at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.

Fri, Jun 18

Member Discovery Day – Summer Workshop

Summer workshop for museum members at NC Museum of Natural Sciences.