North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Consulate General of Mexico and the RedGlobalMX Raleigh Chapter are presenting Día de la Ciencia y la Cultura (Science and Cultural Day) at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. It takes place Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This free program is fully bilingual (Spanish-English.)
It features engaging talks, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities with scientists and educators.
Presentations
Nature Exploration Center
10:45–11am — Welcome
Featuring remarks by NCMNS, Consulate General of Mexico and Red Global MX Chapter Raleigh with a performance by Takiri Folclor Latino.
WRAL 3D Theater
11am — Walking with Dinosaurs 3D
Embark on an exciting journey back to Alaska during the Cretaceous period, 70 million years ago. Experience a year in the life of dinosaurs, from the spring when hatchlings emerge, to the dangers of predators in the summer, migration in the fall and the struggle to survive the winter. With stunning CGI visuals, this film reveals the constant battle of dinosaurs to survive in a prehistoric world full of challenges.
Free Admission. Spanish (PG)
Windows on the World
Noon–12:30pm — The Magic of Magnetism
Gerardo Santoyo, Maracas Montessori
Discover the phenomenon of magnetism in an entertaining way.
Ages 8 and up
Bicentennial Plaza
1–1:15pm — Dance Exhibition
Takiri Folclor Latino
Windows on the World
2–2:30pm — The Snakes of North Carolina
Karen Medina–Jauregui, Curator, Living Conservatory, NCMNS
Enjoy an introduction to venomous and non-venomous snakes of North Carolina, including their habitats and diets. Discover what kinds of snakes you might find in your garden and what to do if you encounter them.
Ages 8 and up
Windows on the World
3–3:30pm — Virtual Reality: Bringing the world to your fingertips
Dr. Ivonne Chirino-Klevans, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Virtual reality is a tool that brings experiences to different audiences, making it possible to discover places and experiences that not everyone has access to.
Windows on the World
4–4:30pm — Nicaragua: Sustainable coffee, ecotourism and wildlife management
John Gerwin, Research Curator, Ornithology, NCMNS
Gerwin describes his previous trips with colleagues to help develop ecotourism, and conduct bird studies and wildlife management on sustainable coffee farms in Nicaragua.
Ages 8 and up
Bicentennial Plaza
4:45–5pm — Dance Exhibition
Takiri Folclor Latino
Exhibitions and Activities
National Exploration Center, 1st Floor
NASA Q&A
NASA / JPL Solar System Ambassadors
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors are here to answer your questions about the wonders of space exploration. Learn more about NASA’s space missions and breakthroughs. Discover the secrets of exoplanets with their interactive LEGO model exhibit, where they will demonstrate one of the methods used to detect these distant worlds.
Museum Membership & Event Feedback
NCMNS
Become a Museum Member to enjoy exclusive benefits while supporting the mission of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Members enjoy unlimited FREE admission to “Amazing Pollinators” and save 10% in Museum Stores & Cafés. Join during the event and save 20% off your first purchase in the store. Register for your chance to win a Museum gift basket when you share your favorite moments from Dia de la Ciencia y Cultura and what you’d like to see at future events.
Herps in North Carolina
North Carolina Herpetological Society
Meet several species of reptiles and amphibians native to North Carolina. Test your snake identification knowledge with the “Find the Copperhead” game and learn how to become a member of the NC Herp Society, including their popular Youth Branch.
NC Science Festival
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Explore hands-on activities and resources about astronomy and more.
Science and You
Red Global MX Raleigh Chapter
Discover how science is all around you and helps in your daily life.
Art of the Ancient Americas
NC Museum of Art (NCMA)
Explore the NC Museum of Art’s Ancient Americas collection through 3D-printed replicas of objects. Learn more about educational interactive activities through NCMA Explore.
The Diversity of Sciences: Improving the Human Condition
RTI International
Learn “How Lungs Work,” “How Dry Ice Works,” and “Subdermal Drug Release Implants.” Find out how you can help with social research on mental health.
Air Quality in North Carolina
NC Air Awareness
Spin the Air Wheel or use their EYE SPY chart to learn more about air quality and the sources of air pollution in our state.
Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality
The Engineering Place, College of Engineering, NC State University
Create a wearable LED bracelet as you learn more about electrical engineers.
Meet the Animals
Living Collections, NCMNS
Chat with our staff about some of the fascinating Central and South American species kept at the Museum, featuring our “fan-favorite” axolotl. Touch a live snake!
National Exploration Center, 2nd Floor
Quiet Space
NCMNS
Take a break from the events and activities in our quiet space with sensory tools, coloring pages, books and noise-canceling headphones (upon request). All ages and abilities are welcome.
Eternal Forest of the Children
Maracas Montessori
Discover the experience of visiting the Children’s Eternal Forest in Costa Rica in support of this protected area of flora and fauna.
The Magic of Magnetism
Maracas Montessori
Explore the phenomenon of magnetism.
Science Needs YOU!
Citizen Science, NCMNS
Find out how you can contribute to real scientific research.
Prehistoric Discoveries
NC State University
Embark on a prehistoric journey and learn how to explore the ancient world by studying real fossils.
Discovery Room
NCMNS
Explore our education space for families of all ages to explore the natural world up close. Engage your senses by touching fossils, feeling bird wings, smelling tropical scents, watching the beehive and more. Try on costumes, play with puppets and find hidden animals in our dead tree critter hotel. This is an ideal area for intergenerational learning.
Empowering Parents: Multilingual Workshops for Supporting Children’s Academic Success
WCPSS Family Academy
Get the tools you need to support your child’s academic success with our educational workshops for parents and caregivers in eight different languages.
Tu Portal STEM: Connecting Hispanic Students with STEM Opportunities
NC Society of Hispanic Professionals
Learn how you can use “Tu Portal STEM” to access information for Hispanic students and families on education, careers, programs and opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Science Experiment and Jobs
NC Department of Commerce
Perform a fun balloon experiment. Learn more about unemployment benefits in North Carolina and how to apply.
Amazing Pollinators Special Exhibition
NCMNS
Slip into the wings of pollinators like bats, bees, beetles and butterflies and embark on an unforgettable survival quest in “Amazing Pollinators” – our role-play adventure game. Pick your pollinator and play games and trivia to collect pollen and nectar, find food and friends, mate, and avoid life threats. Play from the perspective of eight different species like the hibiscus bee, soldier beetle or ruby-throated hummingbird. Offered in English & Spanish. Buy Tickets
Nature Exploration Center, 3rd Floor
Pouty Perfection: The Remarkable Lips of Sucker Fish
Ichthyology, NCMNS
Discover the remarkable diversity of native fish species in the family Catostomidae, commonly called “suckers” because of their unique lips.
All About Butterflies
Naturalist Center, NCMNS
Learn about our native butterflies including monarchs and their migration to Mexico. Discover how to attract, collect, pin and display butterflies, with examples of spectacular butterfly collections from the Naturalist Center.
Using Engineering and Machine Learning to Detect Viruses
Departments of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry & Plant and Microbial Biology, NC State University
Design and use a multispectral scanner to identify cassava plants infected with the cassava brown streak virus.
Mini Lab Adventures
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Conduct fun science experiments.
Foraminifera: Time Capsules of Earth’s History, Past and Present
Climate Lab, NC State University
Learn about the use of foraminifera (single-celled organisms with shells) in understanding paleoclimate and how they can be used to study modern climate change. Explore paleo records made by foraminifera, 3D-printed models of multiple foraminifera species, and view real foraminifera samples under a microscope.
Dino Discoveries: From Fossils to Feathers
Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University
Create and explore fossils to understand the role of paleontologists in North America, including Mexico. Investigate how dinosaurs evolved into birds and their link to modern conservation. Uncover the mysteries of these ancient creatures.
Birds: Dead or Alive
Ornithology, NCMNS
Explore the diversity of birds with the Museum’s ornithology collection.
Sharing Culture Through Dance
Takiri Folclor Latino
Enjoy a dance performance showcasing Latin culture. Learn some dance steps and try them out with the group.
Virtual Reality to Explore From Atoms to the Sun
NC State University
Use VR devices to navigate their virtual environment “Scale Worlds.” Explore the natural world from the standard view down to atoms and up to the Sun, shrinking or enlarging in size by powers of 10.
NC Office of State Archaeology
Learn more about North Carolina’s archaeological conservation program, explore artifacts from some of our state’s most important historic sites, and experience NC Digs!
Nature Exploration Center, 4th Floor
Children’s Books & Science Kits
PaperPie
Enjoy a demonstration on the force of friction and explore science books (some in Spanish) and kits available for purchase.
Fun Experiments with Museum of Life + Science
Museum of Life + Science
Experience fun science activities: color of the universe, petroglyphs, what’s in my salsa, agua fresca, etc.
North Carolina and Bilingual Butterfly Navigation!
Education & Outreach, NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
Discover how monarch butterflies navigate from Mexico to North Carolina. Make your own monarch to fly home with you. EL/ML teachers: enjoy free copies of “Plott’s Tales and Trails: Adventures with Carolina.”
Bats!
Living Collections, NCMNS
Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask about the kings of the night.
Living Conservatory
NCMNS
Explore our dry tropical forest and learn about its fauna and flora. Enjoy watching tropical butterflies flutter around you and discover our two-toed sloth.
RACE: Are We So Different?
NCMNS
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More Events
Check out our list of free and cheap events in Raleigh and the rest of the Triangle this weekend, or our full event calendar in the Triangle, or just look at few upcoming events here:
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
11 W Jones St
Raleigh, NC
