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Saturday, September 25
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- North Carolina Shell Show (map)
- Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Wilmington
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Experience the largest gathering of shell collections in North Carolina.
Members of the North Carolina Shell Club and shell enthusiasts from up and down the east coast will present exhibits for viewing and judging in more than 20 categories.
One Museum gallery will display Shell Show exhibits; another will be filled with shell vendors. The public is encouraged to attend.
Nationally recognized awards, including the Conchologists of America Trophy, will be presented.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Big Sweep Community Stream Cleanup Day (map)
- Coordinated by ECO, Hendersonville
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ECO coordinates this statewide effort to clean up rivers and streams in Henderson County. Call 828.692.0385 in advance to find a volunteer location near you. *Do not meet at ECO offices.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Citizen Ash Tree Mapping (map)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bryson City
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As a citizen science volunteer, you’ll spend a morning in the field with a park ranger learning to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit to map ash in forest plots, and measure trees. The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer, a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the park. Data you collect will help park staff map the locations of ash trees parkwide to monitor the health of the forest and detect future infestations.
You should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off main paths. It is highly recommended that you wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking, and to protect yourself against poison ivy, ticks, and thorny plants. We’ll be outside enjoying the forest for several hours so bring a lunch, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people. Families are welcome–children 12 and under must bring an adult. Pre-register by contacting Susan at susan_simpson@nps.gov or 865.436.1200 x762.
Meet at the Deep Creek area of the park: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/deepcreek.htm
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- NC Science Challenge (map)
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
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The North Carolina Science Festival is teaming up with a new science education effort in the state – the North Carolina Science Challenge! The Challenge seeks to engage elementary, middle, and high school students in hands-on activities that put their thinking, problem solving and creativity to the test, all the while exposing them to fundamental science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts. North Carolina Science Challenge activities spur students to “challenge” themselves – to try something new, put their thinking to the test, to best themselves. Students will also be invited (but not required) to enter their solutions into a friendly, good–spirited competition that will foster dialogue, lead to new ideas and “challenge” everyone to improve. As a result, every one wins! ALL students are invited to participate in the North Carolina Science Challenge. Parents – bring your children! Teachers – bring your students! Feel free to practice some of these activities in your classroom in advance – the Challenge hopes to foster more high-quality science experiences in every classroom. Challenges expected to take place at the North Carolina Science Festival (at the UNC Science Expo on Saturday, September 25):
• Spaghetti bridge building
• Egg drop
• Egg Olympics
• Wind power generation
• Robotics
• Water rocketry
• Paper tower construction
• Estimation station
• Circuitry – Electronic Music Instrument
• Catapult and trebuchet building - Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- NC Science Festival: Celebrating Science in the Mountains (map)
- Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
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Informational booth at Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Day. Science in the mountains will be celebrated with information about scientific research and science education at WCU. A series of hands-on activities will be featured throughout the day to engage visitors and help them learn about science in the region.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Science and Math Family Fun Day (map)
- UNC Pembroke, Pembroke
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Everyone is invited! Join us for a fun-filled day of math and science on Sat, Sept 25th from 9am until 1pm. There will be hands-on activities and demonstrations to engage folks of all ages, so bring the whole family!
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Saturday Safari (map)
- Agape Center for Environmental Education, Fuquay-Varina
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Foxes and herons and eagles, oh my! Discover signs of these creatures and many more as the forest reawakens and springs forth with new life. Not only will you return home having made your very own plaster casted animal track, but also this safari includes backstage passes for an exclusive interview with Waldo and Ashley of Agapé, the resident corn snakes. (Flash photos are allowed, but no autographs will be given.) Registration deadline: September 22. Call 919.552.9421 x210 or email ACEed@agapekurebeach.org to reserve your space.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $7.00/person, $35.00 family maximum
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- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Ocean Adventure (map)
- Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Wilmington
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What is an aquanaut? Discover the answer to this question and more as you explore ocean science. Learn why the estuary is called the “ocean’s nursery.” Examine local shells and learn about North Carolina’s state shell. Find out why starfish are not fish at all! Use various magnification tools to examine sea life up close.
Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12. Parental participation is required.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- The Science and Art of Wine making (map)
- Shelton Vineyards, Dobson
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Tour a state-of-the-art working winery and learn about the art and science of wine making in North Carolina. Tour will end with a tasting of 5 wines (must be 21 years of age to sample) and participants will receive a souvenir glass. Tours start every thirty minutes from 10 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $5.00 per person
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- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Beautiful Butterflies (map)
- Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville
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Do you know the differences between a butterfly and a moth? How about the various ways a butterfly can protect itself from predators? Come join park staff as we hike around Lake Crabtree to discover the answers to these questions and learn other fascinating facts while looking for those “Beautiful Butterflies”. Appropriate for ages 5 and above. Meet at the Waterwise Garden.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Carnivorous Plant Hike (map)
- Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach
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Take a hike with a park ranger and learn about the fascinating world of carnivorous plants that grow at Carolina Beach State Park. See plants that “bite back” such as sundews, bladderworts, butterworts, pitcher plants, and the Venus fly trap. Meet at the Nature Trail Parking Lot at 10:00 a.m. For more information call 910-458-8206.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- National Hunting and Fishing Day (map)
- Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education, Pisgah Forest
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Come help Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day! Hands-on activities for all ages will include: archery, BB gun shooting range, fly tying, and interactive kids’ hunt camp, and much more!
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Trails Forever National Public Lands Day Trailwork Event (map)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
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Trails Forever is a partnership program between Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Friends of the Smokies. The volunteer component of Trails Forever gives individuals the opportunity to work with professional trail workers to make lasting and important improvements to trails throughout the park.
In celebration of National Public Lands Day we will be hosting 2 trail events in the Park on September 25th – one on each side of the Park – at Smokemont Nature Trail (NC) and Cosby Nature Trail (TN). For Smokemont Nature Trail, meet at Smokemont Campground.
Volunteers will work with NPS staff to complete a variety of trail maintenance and trail rehabilitation work from installing drainage structures (waterbars, check dams), rehabilitating trail surfaces, constructing turnpikes (raise trail segments), to removing brush and vegetation. While these jobs may vary in complexity, all Trails Forever volunteers must be able to hike, safely perform manual labor, and be comfortable using hand tools (shovels, fire rakes, Pulaski/axes, sledgehammers, etc).
NPS staff will provide all the tools and safety gear necessary for the project (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection). Volunteers are expected to bring everything they need for a day in the woods – a day pack with food, water (at least 2 liters), clothing, rain gear etc. Volunteers will meet NPS staff at the designated trailhead and begin the day with a safety briefing.
If you are interested in participating this event you MUST RSVP to the Christine Hoyer, Trails & Facilities Volunteer Coordinator (828-497-1949 or christine_hoyer@nps.gov) by September 17th.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- NC Estuarium River Roving Tours (map)
- NC Estuarium, Washington
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River Roving Educational River Tours- Learn about the history and habitats of the Washington waterfront. These boat tours cruise the Pamlico River Wednesday through Friday at 10:30 and 12:45, and Saturdays at 10:30. No admission fee or other cost is involved for the tour, but advance reservations are required. Riders should check in 15 minutes in advance. Children must be at least 6 years old to ride; a responsible adult must accompany children under 16. Call 252-948-0000 for reservations. Please call ahead for program information as space may be limited. The Estuarium is a Partnership for the Sounds facility, an organization promoting eco-tourism and sustainable economic development in the Albemarle-Pamlico region.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- A World Apart (map)
- Discovery Place, Charlotte
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Learn about the tropical rainforest ecosystem and the species that call it home during “A World Apart”.
Get acquainted with a variety of species that call the rainforest habitat home and explore the unique features that help them thrive in this one-of-a-kind environment. Keep your eye out for the ball python, a constrictor that uses its 200 vertebra to twist and turn around the rainforest exhibit. You also could meet an iguana hailing from Central and South America that uses its third eye to sense the presence of predators – and friendly Museum visitors.
Step in to a world where the seasons change from hot to hotter, frogs roam freely and a 20-year old blue and gold macaw looks on as you experience the wonders of the tropical rainforest.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- UNC Science Expo Day (map)
- UNC Campus, Chapel Hill
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Science is everywhere! On Saturday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Morehead Planetarium and Science Center will showcase some of the exciting science happening across UNC. In conjunction with the NC Science Festival, McCorkle Place and other points across UNC’s campus will be full of science activities, demonstrations, performances and more!
A small sampling of the day’s activities includes:
Keynote talk by Nobel Laureate Oliver Smithies
Demonstrations including the da Vinci Surgical System robot, catapults and trebuchets, virtual reality, wave simulation machine and advanced imaging
Performances including a Phenomenal Physics show, a Brain show and science-related musical acts
Science talks including physics of sports, science and music, North Carolina’s changing coastline, advances in cancer treatment and neuroscience
Tours of University departments, including Marine Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, Archaeology and Anthropology, Biology, NC Botanical Gardens and more
The North Carolina Science Challenge – a series of hands-on activities that put K-8 grade students’ problem solving and creativity to the test
Fulldome digital video planetarium shows at Morehead - Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Storytelling Festival (map)
- Historic Oak View County Park, Raleigh
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Each year in September, Wake County Public Libraries, in conjunction with Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space, holds the Annual Storytelling Festival. The event features a variety of guest storytellers and activities for children and families. Be sure to visit the Farm History Center during the Storytelling Festival to participate in a fun, interactive science program, presented by Imagination Station.
For more information, call Wake County Public Libraries at 919-250-1200 or Historic Oak View County Park at 919-250-1013.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- SciWorks Planetarium Shows (map)
- SciWorks Science Center, Winston-Salem
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SciWorks planetarium offers several shows throughout the day for various age groups. We also present a live sky tour of the current night sky. Shows and times vary daily so please call ahead. First show at 11:00 a.m. Last show at 3:00 p.m. Several shows daily.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- UNC BEST – Baccalaureate Education in Science Teaching (map)
- UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
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The UNC-BEST program provides a fast track to licensure so physics, biology, chemistry, geological sciences, and mathematics majors can earn their high school teaching license during their four years of undergraduate study. Come learn about generous scholarships available to UNC-BEST students.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Live Animal Encounter (map)
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo
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Come face to face with alligators, snakes, sea turtles and many other live animals in Neptune’s Theater. This program is featured everyday at 11:30 a.m.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
- Touch Tank Feeding Demonstration (map)
- SciWorks Science Center, Winston-Salem
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Join SciWorks’ animal care staff as they demostrate the unique feeding mechanisms of various marine animals including horshoecrabs, sea urchins and anemones.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Carolina Beer Tastings (map)
- Carolina Beer Company - Brewery & Tap Room, Mooresville
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Carolina Beer Company is proud to be able to participate in state wide North Carolina Science Festival. As you may or may not know, brewing beer is loaded with science! From the first stages of milling the grain, to the final steps of fermentation and pasteurization, there is a whole lot of science that goes into brewing the high quality craft beer that we make. Please join us in our Tap Room from 12-4 on Saturday September 25th for a special event honoring the science of beer. We will have a brewing demonstration and a guest speaker in addition to our traditional $5 tastings, live music, and food! Please feel free to call the brewery at (704)799-2337 with any questions regarding the event.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $5.00 per person (free for non-beer drinkers)
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- 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Animal Encounters (map)
- North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro
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Join the North Carolina Zoo for close-up encounters with animals! Located in the kidZone section of the park.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with zoo admission.
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- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Interview with Nobel Laureate Dr. Oliver Smithies (map)
- Hanes Auditorium, Chapel Hill
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Dr. Oliver Smithies, co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine, shares his lifelong love of science and his latest lab findings, in a live interview with UNC president emeritus, Mr. Bill Friday. A question and answer session will follow. Mr. Friday’s experience interviewing people for this long running UNC public television program “North Carolina People” is sure to make this event one of the highlights of the September 25 UNC Science Expo.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Yates Mill Heritage Tours (map)
- Historic Yates Mill County Park, Raleigh
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*One-Hour Mill Heritage Tours* are available most weekend afternoons from Mar – Nov, on Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-3:00pm, including September 11-12 and 25-26: Explore the mill’s business & social history. View a brief slide show then take a guided tour. Explore how power is transferred from the water wheel to the milling machinery. Pre-registration is not required, but is encouraged for groups of 10 or more people.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $5/adult, $3/seniors and children (but those age 6 & under are free)
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- 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- What’s Glowing On? (map)
- Discovery Place, Charlotte
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Grab a seat at “The Stage” and discover the science behind luminescent and incandescent light. By the time the show is over, you’ll be an expert on all that shines.
Put yourself in the spotlight as a contestant in the “Will it Glow?” game show, hosted by one of the Museum’s brightest scientists. Explore the materials that make things glow and take a closer look at items such as the artwork of Vincent Van ‘Glow’ to watch them shine. The show does ‘lights out’ with a BANG! — get a front row seat to the explosive qualities of light.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Meet the Animals (map)
- NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
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From alligators to opossums, come face-to-face with a new live animal each week.
Upcoming Topics
Sept. 11: Insects & Arthropods
Sept.12: Turtles
Sept. 13: What do I eat?
Sept. 14-17: Nocturnal Animals
Sept. 18-19: Turtles
Sept. 20-24: Alligators
Sept. 25-26: Turtles - Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Science on a Sphere Program (map)
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo
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See the Earth like never before with an educational program on our three dimensional sphere at Oceans Revealed. Every day at 2:30 p.m.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with paid admission.
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- 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- A World Apart (map)
- Discovery Place, Charlotte
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Learn about the tropical rainforest ecosystem and the species that call it home during “A World Apart”.
Get acquainted with a variety of species that call the rainforest habitat home and explore the unique features that help them thrive in this one-of-a-kind environment. Keep your eye out for the ball python, a constrictor that uses its 200 vertebra to twist and turn around the rainforest exhibit. You also could meet an iguana hailing from Central and South America that uses its third eye to sense the presence of predators – and friendly Museum visitors.
Step in to a world where the seasons change from hot to hotter, frogs roam freely and a 20-year old blue and gold macaw looks on as you experience the wonders of the tropical rainforest.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
- Explore McDowell: Guided Nature Hike (map)
- McDowell Nature Center, Charlotte
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Join an educator and discover something new at McDowell. A forest walk, stream study, or an introduction to letterboxing might be on the agenda. Please call 704-588-5224 ro reserve your spot.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Sub Zero (map)
- Discovery Place, Charlotte
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Join our resident physicist at the “The Stage” to chill out and explore a world below freezing. With materials so cold they can only be touched with cryogenic gloves, you’re in for an icy treat!
The star of the show is liquid nitrogen – a unique element that’s so cold, when poured out of its tank in a room temperature setting; it turns to gas before even hitting the floor – giving you the chance to frolic in a nitrogen cloud. You’ll watch as it makes a surgical glove as delicate as glass, takes the bounce out of a bouncy ball and causes a penny to shatter with one strike of a hammer.
Learn more frosty facts about this important element at “Sub Zero”.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- Stargazing at ASU’s Dark Sky Observatory (map)
- ASU Dark Sky Observatory, Deep Gap
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Join us for a night under the stars at Appalachian State University’s Dark Sky Observatory. The target list for our telescope will include deep sky objects such as star clusters, nebulae and galaxies.
Stargazing sessions are free but require registration. See the Event Web Site linked below for registration information and session details. Observatory is located on Phillips Gap Rd off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Deep Gap, NC.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
Your Search for Saturday, September 25
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