Science Café, more, at NC Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences always offers free admission, but you might not be aware of the free and inexpensive events, beyond the exhibits, that it offers. You can view all their events here. Some are free and some have fees associated with them. Here are a few upcoming free and cheap events.

Make sure to check the location.

• Prairie Ridge Ecostation, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh
• Downtown Raleigh, 11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
• Nature Research Center, 121 W. Jones Street, Raleigh

Also, click on the links for more details, including age ranges and registration information.

Free and cheap events at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

NATURE PLAY DAYS
Tuesdays
10:00am – 12:00pm
Prairie Ridge
Come out and play! The Nature PlaySpace will be stocked with extra special materials and supplies and a Museum play facilitator will be present to help you play your way. Supplies may vary from week to week, but include fun things like fort-building equipment, puppets and costumes, bubbles, paint, giant blocks, and more.

Science Cafe: Celebrating Apollo and Fulfilling the Legacy
Thursday, April 25th, 2019
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Downtown Raleigh
Free

July 20, 2019 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first humans walking on the Moon through the Apollo 11 mission. The Apollo program was monumental in showing that humans could explore beyond our own planet and learn about other planetary bodies in our Solar System. However, 2019 also marks 47 years since the last humans left the Moon in December 1972 and we have not left low Earth orbit since that time. Join us to learn about achievements of the Apollo program, and how human presence can be expanded to the Moon and beyond, fulfilling the legacy of Apollo.

Finally Friday: Big Trouble in Little China
Friday, April 26th, 2019
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Downtown Raleigh
$2 for members; $5 for non-members

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Food, music and science stations
7 p.m.: Movie in WRAL 3D Theater, followed by commentary

What’s the worst that could happen if you find yourself on the streets of Chinatown on a dark and rainy night? Maybe nothing, or maybe you’ll be pulled into the middle of an ancient mystical adventure! Don´t worry, Jack Burton is here to help with this battle against a 3000-year-old warlord.

Come join us for the April installment of Finally Friday and see John Carpenter’s cult-classic action film, “Big Trouble in Little China.” We’ll host Dr. Nathaniel Isaacson, Associate Professor of Modern Chinese literature and cultural studies at NC State University. Dr. Isaacson, whose research interests include Chinese science fiction, Chinese cinema, and popular culture, will help us separate the science from the fiction following the movie.

SCIENCE STATIONS (5:30–7PM)
Bug Trouble in Little China
Explore some of China’s most impressive arthropods, both big and little, with the Museum’s Arthropod Zoo!

中文 Chinese Calligraphy
What is Chinese calligraphy? How do you write it? How do you read it? Learn some tips and tricks about calligraphy that may be useful the next time you find yourself in Chinatown on a dark and rainy night.

Chang Sing vs. Wing Kong Chopsticks Game
Face off against your foes with a chopstick dexterity competition. Show your skills and win a prize!

Big Trouble in Little China Button Handouts
Hot off the press! A new button from our Finally Friday movie collection has been released. Supplies are limited, so get one fast before they disappear!

Gnome and Fairy Day
Saturday, May 4th, 2019
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Prairie Ridge
Free

Help us celebrate as the gnomes and fairies prepare for the arrival of summer. Come dressed in an outdoor-friendly gnome or fairy costume or decorate yourself at the Outdoor Classroom, then join the Parade of the Prairie Fairies and Roaming Gnomes.

Activities:

• Build gnome and fairy homes.
• Create potions and mud pies.
• Make gnome hats and fairy wings.
• Science needs you! Learn about citizen science together.
• See bird banding demonstrations.
• Discover native pollinators and pond animals.

Schedule:

• 10am & 11am: Live Music
• 10:30am: Story time
• 11:45am: Parade of Gnomes & Fairies

This is a free event and no registration is required. Trails are natural with uneven surfaces and some hills. Off-road strollers should be fine. Entire program is outdoors so be sure to dress for the weather.