North Carolina Science Festival 2019 is a statewide collection of events, from April 1st, 2018, through April 30th, intended to ignite an interest in science in both kids and adults. Events take place at a number of venues in the Triangle, including universities, parks, museums, book stores and more.
You can see all the events here. Some events are free, some have a cost, and others are free after admission into the venue. Here is a list of some of the free events in the Triangle. Follow each link for more detailed information. Some require registration and may be filled up by the time you read this.
Some events are for kids, some for adults, some for teens, and some are for everyone.
Note: this is just a small sample of the free NC Science Festival events going on in the Triangle! Make sure to check them all out.
Harry Potter and the Genetics of Wizarding
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2019
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
BackBar at Top of the Hill
100 E. Franklin Street (3rd floor)
Chapel Hill
Adults only
Free
Join us a BackBar in downtown Chapel Hill as biologist Eric Spana’s descronstructs the laws of genetics that J.K. Rowling sets up in her blockbuster Harry Potter books. How can two Muggles give birth to a Wizard? Two wizards, to a Squib? We’ll take genetics to a whole new Hogwartian level at this month’s Carolina Science Cafe!
Note: This event takes place at a bar.
More about Eric: https://biology.duke.edu/people/eric-p-spana
Each Carolina Science Cafe features an expert presentation and informal discussion. These programs are held at Top of the Hill restaurant’s “Back Bar,” which offers a relaxed environment to explore fascinating science topics. Beverages are available from Top of the Hill’s menu, and free appetizers – while they last – are provided by Sigma Xi.
UNC Science Expo
Saturday, April 6th, 2019
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
UNC Chapel Hill
W. Cameron Avenue
Chapel Hill
Free
Join us at UNC Chapel Hill for a full day of STEM fun! This huge celebration draws over 10,000 visitors from Chapel Hill and beyond to explore the diversity of scientific research on campus. We shut down the street as 200+ scientists come out to share their work with hands-on activities, demonstrations, lab tours, and more! With over a hundred booths, a packed schedule for the stage, food trucks, and more, this is a can’t miss event.
Landfill Tour
Saturday, April 6th, 2019
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Field Office – South Wake Waste Management Facilities
6025 Old Smithfield Rd
Apex
Free
Have you ever wondered what happens to your trash when it leaves the curb? Collection day is just the first day in a long journey for your trash. Join us on a tour of an active landfill to find out where it all ends up. Tours last 60 minutes and participants are expected to be able to board a multi-passenger bus. On the tour, you will also learn where you can recycle additional household items too large to leave at the curb, what common items are harmful to the environment if placed in the trash, where to dispose of harmful household items safely, and how Wake County is turning household trash into energy.
Statewide Star Party: Chapel Hill Public Library
Friday, April 12th, 2019
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Chapel Hill Public Library
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill
Free
Join Chapel Hill Public Library for a Star Party about “The Moon and Beyond.” We will have fun activities for all ages to learn about the moon, as well as moon-viewing with local astronomers. We will also offer storytelling and art activities, such as Moon Haiku.
The NC Science Festival’s annual Statewide Star Party is made possible through the generous support of the NC Space Grant. www.ncspacegrant.org
Statewide Star Park: Old North Durham Park
Friday, April 12th, 2019
8 p.m.
Old North Durham Park, 310 W. Geer Street, Durham
Free
Celebrate this year’s NC Statewide Star Party by adventuring “To the Moon and Beyond”. Our knowledgeable staff will provide high powered binoculars and telescopes for high quality viewing and will feature astronomers from the Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS), NC Central University, and our very own Durham Parks & Rec! Learn more about all things space: meteor showers, planets, stars, and of course, the moon! Dress for the weather. This program is free and does not require registration. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In case of a cloud out, the program will be held 4/13/19.
Lean In, Women in Science
Friday, April 12th, 2019
5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NCSSM Auditorium
1219 Broad Street, Durham
Free
Lean In, Women in Science is a three-part event designed to connect accomplished women scientists with high school girls who are interested in STEM. All ages and genders are welcome but the main target audience is high school girls.
Part One is the Interview and Panel Discussion of 6 prominent women scientists. This is free and open to the public and takes place at 5:00 pm in the Auditorium of NCSSM. Panelists will take questions from the audience. No pre-registration is needed for Part One and the Auditorium has capacity to seat 500 people.
Part Two splits into Options A and B. Option A is Dinner with a Scientist which takes place at 6:00 pm in the Student Center. This is by advance sign up only and is limited to 60 people (10 guests per scientist). Guests sign up for dinner and casual conversation with one of the featured women scientists; guests may switch tables during dessert. Pre-registration is required for Option A (via SignUpGenius) and the event is free and open to the public.
Option B is the Scientist Networking Workshop which also takes place at 6:00 pm in the Lobby of Auditorium. This is free and open to the public and does not require advance sign up. The networking event features women scientists from multiple organizations including Young Women in Bio, Alpha Chi Sigma, and Neural Connectors, and uses a structured activity to introduce students to networking skills and engage them in conversations about majoring in science in college and career options. The capacity for this event is approximately 200 people.
Statewide Star Party: American Tobacco Trail
Friday, April 12th, 2019
6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
White Oak Parking Area – back field
1305 White Oak Church Road
Apex
Free
Join us for the NC Science Festival’s Statewide Star Party themed “The Moon and Beyond”. There will be fun hands-on activities, storytime and a Solar System walk early in the evening. As the sun goes down, enjoy constellation storytelling and observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars.
This FREE Star Party is co-hosted by Wake County Parks – American Tobaccon Trail, North Carolinia State University’s Park, Recreation and Tourism students, Agape Center for Environmental Education, Wake County Libraries and the NC Children’s Museum. This event will take place at the back field of the White Oak Parking Area under the stars. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Bring your curiosity, water bottle, chair and/or blanket, your own viewing instrument if you have one and dress for the weather.
The NC Science Festival’s annual Statewide Star Party is made possible through the generous support of the NC Space Grant. www.ncspacegrant.org
Triangle SciTech Expo 2019
Saturday, April 13th, 2019
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
Free
Featuring over fifty hands-on exhibits, games, crafts and activities, plus a series of presentations, Triangle SciTech Expo is a unique event that assembles scientists and technical professionals from universities, organizations and industry to engage visitors of all ages in the excitement of science and technology. We provide leaders in SciTech fields a prominent opportunity to showcase innovations and research while engaging visitors in hands-on activities that actively spark their interest in STEM fields.
Experts, researchers, and specialists developing new technologies will interact with visitors, who will engage in hands-on activities and enjoy educational exhibits. Activities and exhibits are designed for all ages and stages of learning, and families are encouraged to attend.
Explore the World at the Nano-scale, including nano-ice cream
Saturday, April 13th, 2019
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Chapel Hill Public Library
100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill
Free
Visitors will get a crash course on nanotechnology using a portable scanning electron microscope (SEM) and light microscopes to examine bugs, flowers, and other materials up close. Participants are encouraged to bring their own samples to view. Other hands-on activities will help visitors relate to nanoscale phenomena and get an idea of techniques used to make things on this size scale. Join us to make nano ice cream, try on a clean room suit, design a photomask and more!
Join the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network for this family friendly event. Activities are geared to ages 5 and up. (Note: little kids may not be able to do some of the activities because of their size. The nano ice cream is for everyone and scheduled from 1:00-2:00, first come, first served.
Junior Gardeners Go To Market
Saturday, April 20th, 2019
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market
University Place – 201 S. Estes Dr
Chapel Hill
Free
Ever wonder where your food comes from? Join us for this free monthly program where we’ll combine science, food, and fun in the garden! This Saturday we will join the Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market’s celebration of Earth Day. We will plant seeds to watch grow later in the Spring and Summer and hand pick, grown in NC, veggies from the market to make Veggie planets.
Earth Day Hike
Monday, April 22nd, 2019
5:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.
Durant Nature Preserve
8305 Camp Durant Road, Raleigh
Free
Join us on Earth Day for an easy-paced nature hike through the forest. Learn about the origins of Earth Day and discover ways to help our local environment as we walk for about a mile-and-a-half, stopping to explore interesting sites along the trail. This spring-time walk in the woods is a great way to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with like-minded others in the Preserve.
Open to all ages. Hike is easy to moderate and occurs on trails that are not accessible by stroller. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Children and adults must register in advance at http://reclink.raleighnc.gov using event barcode #231509.
Earth Fair at NC State University
Monday, April 22nd, 2019
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
NC State University Plaza (“The Brickyard”)
2 Broughton Dr.
(behind DH Hill Library)
Raleigh
Free
Celebrate Earth Day at NC State! An epic, Earth-focused fair with exhibits, demonstrations and ideas on how you can make the world a better place. Bring a friend and come experience the breadth of sustainability, including learning about food, water, transportation, nature, wellness and so much more. This outdoor event on the Brickyard is free, open to the public and sponsored by NC State’s University Sustainability Office. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
Songbird Celebration Family Festival
Saturday, April 27th, 2019
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Blue Jay Point County Park
3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Raleigh
Free
Songbird Celebration is an annual FREE festival for bird lovers of all ages celebrating the return of migratory songbirds and recognizing International Migratory Bird Day. A great outing for families, scouts and other youth groups, you can enjoy bird-related activities throughout the park, including games and crafts, preschool storytimes, bird hikes for adults and kids, learning stations and more! Free online registration is suggested for “early bird” hikes and classes. Scout leaders should call us directly to register troops.
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