Join a ranger for a guided hike to learn about the duck species that call Jones Lake home. Hike will be a 1 mile loop.

Lake Norman is proud to host the first annual community day and in honor of America’s 250th birthday the theme will be Conservation Stations! Come out to the park for games, crafts, Ranger-led hikes, and more! Come say hi to: Sandwich Express, Black Diamond Coffee Roasters, DEQ Education Team, Visit Mooresville and Mooresville Parks and Rec, DCNR A250 Team and Education Team, Lake Norman Conservationist, Iredell County Animal Services and Control, and more!

DINOSAURS! has made their way back to CSC!  Get ready to come face-to-face with jaw-dropping fossils, thrilling prehistoric discoveries, and hands-on Jurassic fun for explorers of all ages.   The ROAR of prehistoric fun is here—don’t miss it!

Something strange is happening at the beach… and we need YOU to help solve the mystery! Join us for a day of clues, coastal creatures, beach exploration, and hands-on investigation as we work to uncover the mystery behind the Beachside Blues! Kiddos will spend the day exploring the beach, investigating clues, discovering local wildlife, and getting hands-on with the coastal environment. Every discovery brings us one step closer to solving the case!   Beach Mystery: A Bad Case of the Beachside BluesWednesday, November 25th9:00 AM–2:00 PM $65Late Stay available until 4:00 PM ($10 add on)     This is a great opportunity for kids to spend their fall break outside, getting hands-on with nature, and having an adventure! Come ready to investigate, explore, and get a little sandy!

HEW! Something smells fishy in the marsh… A mysterious smell has taken over the marsh, and we need a team of young investigators to figure out what’s going on! Join Ecological Marine Adventures for Marsh Mystery: Stink, Stank, Stunk : The Case of the Stinking Smells! Kiddos will follow clues, investigate the marsh, observe local wildlife, and explore this amazing coastal ecosystem as they work to uncover the source of the mysterious stink!   Marsh Mystery: Stink, Stank, StunkFriday, November 27th9:00 AM–2:00 PM $65Late Stay available until 4:00 PM ($10 add on)   Get ready for a day of marsh exploration, wildlife discoveries, investigation, and hands-on conservation education! Can your little detectives solve the case? There’s only one way to find out!

Join us for the NC Fossil Club Fossil Fair on Saturday, November 7th, from 10am – 4pm! This community celebration of North Carolina’s rich fossil heritage brings together amateur fossil hunters, collectors, students, and educators for a day of discovery, learning, and sharing. Whether you’re a lifelong collector with a cabinet full of finds or you’re just getting curious about what’s buried beneath our state, there’s something here for you. Browse show-and-tell tables, swap tips on where and how to hunt for fossils, and enjoy hands-on activities for kids.

Step back 66 million years and journey through the final chapter of the age of dinosaurs in Dinosaur Evolution—a thrilling immersive experience that brings the Cretaceous world to life. Witness feathered raptors on the hunt, armored giants defending their turf, and the mighty T. rex at the top of the food chain. But even these perfectly evolved creatures couldn’t escape Earth’s most devastating extinction event. Stunning visuals and cutting-edge science reveal how evolution shaped the dinosaurs—and how birds, their modern-day descendants, continue their legacy. It’s a prehistoric adventure that will inspire the next generation of paleontologists and conservationists alike. This unique experience is a bonus feature to our exhibit which is not included in admission to CSC. Members: $5 | Non-Members: $7

Put on your coziest pajamas and join us for a holiday adventure under the stars! Enjoy a winter-themed planetarium show, join a fun snow activity, and end your visit with a sweet treat. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season’s magic at Catawba Science Center!

Enjoy some fun at Lake Norman State Park as Santa makes his way back to the North Pole. Bring your camera for a perfect family photo on the beach with Santa.  Games and fun will be had by all as we continue into the holiday season. Light refreshments will be available for sale from our Friends Group. Furry friends are welcome!!  All proceeds from this event will help FLANO pay for a feasibility study at the park to put in a greenway. This greenway will help to give visitors a safe way to get from one end of the park to the other! 

Join us for a special Science After Dark as we bring the legendary 1954 classic monster GODZILLA to the big screen in Drendel Auditorium!   Enjoy an adults-only evening of giant monsters, prehistoric discoveries, and science after hours. It’s also your LAST chance to explore our DINOSAURS! exhibit before it goes extinct.   Whether you’re a Godzilla fan, a dinosaur enthusiast, or just looking for something different to do on a Friday night, you will not want to miss this evening!