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| Catawba Science Center in Hickory NC © Katrena |
My family stopped by the Catawba Science Center located at 243 Third Avenue NE in Hickory, North Carolina in August 2019 as we were traveling home from a vacation.
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| Monarch Butterfly at Catawba Science Center Butterfly Habitat in Hickory © Katrena |
This Science Center offers an aquarium, planetarium, exhibits, and science-related hands-on education. Approximately every three years, they offer an amazing butterfly habitat.
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| Aquarium at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
The center charges a small fee and offers reciprocal privileges for people who have memberships at participating centers.
The center offers exhibits in more than one building; the butterfly habitat was a little challenging to find but well worth the persistence to find it.
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| Learn About Astronomy at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
Catawba Science Center features several exhibits focusing on astronomy and space travel.
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| Planetarium and Astronomy Education in Hickory NC © Katrena |
The Millholland Planetarium show was offered later in the day, so we did not have the opportunity to see that program, but we hope to go back some day to see more.
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| Fish at Catawba Science Center Aquarium © Katrena |
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| Catawba Science Center Amazon Exhibit © Katrena |
The aquarium includes a nice variety of fish, turtles, stingrays, and more.
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| See Stingrays at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
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| Aquarium in Hickory NC © Katrena |
They offer scheduled feeding demonstrations and visitors are allowed to touch a few of the water animals in the tanks.
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| Learn About Seahorses at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
My youngest was particularly wanting to see seahorses, and she was not disappointed!
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| Interactive Science Education in Hickory NC © Katrena |
Other exhibits offered interactive ways to learn about science. Visitors are encouraged to push buttons, move objects, and even sit in exhibits and take a spin. An outdoor area features a raised bed garden and an aquaponics greenhouse.
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| Monarch Caterpillar at Catawba Science Center Butterfly Exhibit © Katrena |
Staff members were readily available to offer extra information about the various animals in the exhibits and to answer questions. They were all friendly and knowledgeable.
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| See Butterflies Up Close in Catawba Science Center Butterfly Habitat © Katrena |
Our favorite exhibit was the butterfly habitat. Upon entering, you are surrounded by an oasis of butterflies in various stages.
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| See a Variety of Butterflies at Butterfly Habitat at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
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| Chrysalis at Catawba Science Center Butterfly Habitat © Katrena |
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| Newly Emerged Monarchs © Katrena |
At first we only noticed the butterflies, but upon closer inspection, we discovered much more.
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| Butterfly "Nursery" in Butterfly Habitat © Katrena |
A butterfly was just emerging from a chrysalis while we observed the butterfly "nursery."
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| Common Buckeye Butterfly at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
A staff member helped us to identify various caterpillars and butterflies and also educated us about food preferences of various butterflies and caterpillars. He even showed us some butterfly scat.
Aaron, the staff member in the butterfly habitat, also taught visitors how to safely encourage a butterfly to crawl on one's finger.
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| Zebra Longwing Butterfly © Katrena |
The butterfly exhibit is only available during warmer months.
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| Beautiful Butterflies and Blooms in Hickory NC © Katrena |
This year's exhibit will be available until September 1 and will likely only be offered every three years.
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| See Butterflies in Various Stages and Flowers at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
I would love to see Catawba Science Center offer the butterfly exhibit every year!
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| White Peacock Butterflies at Catawba Science Center © Katrena |
Visit the
Catawba Science Center web site for pricing, directions, exhibits, and more.
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| Family Activities in Hickory NC © Katrena |
Thanks for visiting my Travel NC With Kids blog! Feel free to check some some additional articles about my family's trips to various locations in North Carolina below or click on the site map to find all of my articles:
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