Discovery Place Science : May Exhibitions
Here’s What’s Happening in May
Exhibitions, Events & Activities
All Museum events and activities are free with Museum admission unless otherwise noted.
For more information on exhibits, movies or special events, call 704.372.6261 x300 or visit discoveryplace.org
EXHIBITIONS
Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks – Opens June 1
Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks features 20 of the world’s most astonishing skyscrapers from the United States, Australia, Asia, Canada and United Arab Emirates, constructed with breathtaking architectural detail and accuracy by Australia’s Ryan McNaught, one of only 14 certified LEGO professionals in the world. The exhibition includes some of the most iconic and eye-popping towers from across the world. On a scale of 1:200 and built with stunning precision and attention to detail, the LEGO® towers offer visitors a birds-eye view of these extraordinary buildings and are just as impressive in model size. Visitors, young and old, can create their own ‘tower of tomorrow’ from over 200,000 loose LEGO bricks in hands-on construction areas and add their creations to a steadily rising futuristic LEGO metropolis inside the exhibition. Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks is a traveling exhibition from Sydney Living Museums and toured internationally by Flying Fish.
LABS
Explore More Collections – Around the World
Discover the diversity of the natural world and take a trip around the globe. Touch nature in our hands-on drawers, observe a private collection of maps and globes, solve a travel mystery and explore each continent’s assorted collections.
Ecosystem Art: Create your own ecosystem scene using colorful stamps! Daily at 2 p.m.
Explore More Life – Development
Discover the process of life. We will learn about the developmental stages of different species like birds, reptiles, invertebrates and even sea life.
Animal Dissection: Learn about development and anatomy through our educator-led dissection. Saturdays, 11 a.m.
Explore More Me – Immune System: Body’s Defenders
Have you ever wondered how germs spread? What do our immune defenders do to help support our body? Find out in our Explore More Me lab.
Disease Spread!: Simulate a disease spread and learn how you can avoid spreading germs. Saturdays, noon
Explore More Stuff – Newton’s Laws
Feel and see the forces that govern our natural world. Experiment with Newton’s laws of motion through a variety of hands-on activities.
Balloon-copters: Experience Newton’s 3rd Law of motion with this high-flying experiment. Saturdays, 3 p.m.
Design, prototype, create and innovate in Thinker Space, an all-new workshop and makerspace on Level 3 of the Museum. Get messy and take risks in this unique, hands-on learning space. Learn new skills, such as basic woodworking, sewing and soldering. Try the latest technology, including laser cutters and 3D printers. Connect and collaborate with artists, engineers, crafters, tinkerers and tech enthusiasts.
SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMMING
Can You Build It? – Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us for the Towers of Tomorrow opening day event, which includes a series of design and building-related challenges to tap your inner engineer. Experiences include a community coral build, make your own tower hat, hourly building challenges, a Built to Win game show, a Shake Table competition and much more.
Science on the Rocks: Summer of ‘69 – Friday, June 21, 5-9 p.m.
Enough with all this ‘Winter is Here’ business. Celebrate the official first day of summer by going back 50 years with us in our latest adults-only night at Discovery Place Science.
A Day in the Life: Brain Day – Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Atrium Health professionals and learn all about the brain. How does it function? What happens when you get a concussion? And what does a sheep brain look like compared to a human brain?
Dog Day of Summer – Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Come out to the Museum and meet some of Charlotte’s very own canine heroes as we celebrate opening day of our new IMAX movie, Superpower Dogs. Various North Carolina organizations will be on hand with their own superpower dogs, including Southeastern Guide Dogs, the Linville Central Rescue Squad K9 Team, the Humane Society of Charlotte and more. The film will play at various times throughout the event. For movie tickets, visit here. For the safety of your own animals, please no pets.
Musical Tesla Coil – Daily in the Discovery Theatre
Spark your curiosity with this shockingly cool demonstration of our high-voltage resonance transformer, and learn amazing facts about its inventor, Nikola Tesla.
Global Soundscapes: Mission to Record the Earth – Daily in the Discovery Theatre
Immerse yourself in the amazing sounds of our planet! Through giant screen images, surround sound, and live presentation, Global Soundscapes takes you on an ear-opening journey into the science of sound and the emerging field of soundscape ecology.
IMAX FILMS
The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre – The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre is the largest screen in the Carolinas, spanning five stories high and 80 feet wide. The unique curvature of the IMAX Dome surrounds movie viewers with 15,000 watts of sound and light, creating the effect of being in the film. See links for show times and pricing.
Pandas – Now Showing
Come along on an exciting and educational journey that offers an up-close look at a species loved the world over – Giant Pandas. Narrated by actress Kristen Bell, the film follows a researcher at Chengdu Panda Base in China where scientists are dedicated to protecting the species by breeding adult Giant Pandas in order to introduce the captive-born cubs into the wild. The researcher’s passion leads her to initiate a new technique inspired by a black bear rehabilitator in rural New Hampshire. What starts as a cross-cultural collaboration becomes a life-changing journey for one special panda named Qian Qian. Join Qian Qian on her breathtaking new adventure in the mountains of Sichuan as she takes her first steps outside her protected habitat, discovering her true animal nature.
Backyard Wilderness – Showing through June 28
Be surprised and entertained by the unexpected wonders of nature that are right under our noses – in our own backyards. Spanning a seasonal year around a suburban home, the film displays a studding array of unique wildlife images and behavior. We follow Katie, a young girl, and her modern family who are blind to the real-life spectacle around them, absorbed by an array of electronic devices. Katie gradually discovers the intricate secrets that nature has hidden so close to her front door. The film reminds us that Wi-Fi is not the only connection that matters.
Superpower Dogs – Begins June 29
Join an immersive IMAX adventure to experience the life‐saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs. In this inspiring true story narrated by Chris Evans, our best friends are also real‐life superheroes. Journey around the globe to meet remarkable dogs who save lives and discover the powerful bond they share with their human partners. As we discover the incredible abilities of dogs and the astonishing science behind their superpowers, we’ll never look at our best friends the same way again!
Discovery Place Science admission is $19 for adults (14-59); $15 for children (2-13); $17 for seniors (60+); and free for Discovery Place Science Members and children younger than 2, plus any sales and use tax. IMAX tickets may be added for an additional $5 per person. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Guests can purchase tickets online at science.discoveryplace.org, via phone at 704.372.6261 x300 or at Discovery Place Science. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @DiscoveryPlace.
Discovery Place Science is open
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon – 5:00 p.m.
# # #
Here’s What’s Happening in June
Events & Activities
All events and activities take place at Discovery Place Nature
For more information call 704.372.6261 or visit nature.discoveryplace.org
June Theme
Living off the land: Join us this month as we explore some different ways that you can live off the land at home. We will explore this exciting topic and develop our skills through programs including games, crafts and events that are sure to be fun for children and adults alike. Themed activities take place at 12:30 p.m. on the dates listed.
DIY Seed Balls: Growing your own plants is a necessity if you want to live off the land. Come make your very own seed balls that you can take home. The butterflies and bees will love these native plants just as much as you do. June 1 and June 5 (Back Deck)
Rolling in the Mud: Get ready for a muddy, fun-filled craft at Discovery Place Nature. Come prepared to get messy! June 8 and June 12 (Back Deck)
Foraging in the Forest: Ever wonder what wild plants you can eat? Join one of our naturalists as we hike the Paw Paw Nature Trail and discover some of the edible plants you may see in the Carolinas in the summer. June 19 and June 22 (Back Deck)
Entwined in Vines: How many uses can you think of for a single vine? There are more than you may think. Join us as we explore the many ways you can use the invasive vines in your back yard to help you live off the land. June 26 (Back Deck)
Seek Shelter: An essential part of living off the land is knowing how to find shelter. Do you think you have the skills to make a shelter to stay warm and dry overnight? Test out your skills and learn some different techniques to seek shelter. June 29 (Fort Wild)
Special Event
Farm Day: Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. to noon
Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with farm animals. Join us as we learn about the roles these animals play in the farming community through special programs all morning long.
Daily Shows and Programs
Puppet Show: Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m. & Sunday, 3 p.m.
Growing Up Wild: It’s tough to be a child when you’re growing up wild. Jamie wanders a little too far into the woods and encounters some different animals who live there. While trying to get back home, Jamie discovers what different lives they all live.
Story Time: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.
Join us as we read stories exploring the spring and the native plants and animals of North Carolina.
Larry Cat in Space: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. & Sunday 12:30 p.m.
Join us in the planetarium for a playful story about the adventures of a curious cat who takes a trip to the Moon! Join Larry in his journey and learn about the Moon as we go.
Seasonal Stargazing: Tuesday-Saturday 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. (plus a 6 p.m. show on Tuesday) & Sunday, 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.
Gaze up at the spring stars and constellations in this 15-minute guided tour of the night sky in the Discovery Place Nature planetarium. Tickets are included with Museum admission and can be reserved at the Admissions desk.
Alligator Feed: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday, 2 p.m.
Animal Encounter: Wednesday, Friday & Sunday at 2 p.m., plus Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Beekeeper Q&A: Every Friday, noon
Meet a beekeeper! Join us for an interactive program about the basics of beekeeping and sample the honey made by Discovery Place Nature bees.
Monthly Programs
Bird Walk – June 1, 10:15 a.m.
Join us for a leisurely walk around the Museum and Freedom Park. We’ll be looking and listening for seasonal and resident birds found in Charlotte and the surrounding areas this time of year. (Back Deck)
Nature Walk – June 22, 10:15 a.m.
Join one of our naturalists for a stroll around Discovery Place Nature’s Paw Paw Nature Trail. We’ll use our senses of sight, hearing, smell and touch to discover the beauty and diversity of the bottomland forest habitat. (Back Deck)
Discovery Place Nature admission is $8 per person and free for Members and children younger than 2, plus any sales and use tax. Guests may purchase tickets online at nature.discoveryplace.org, via phone at 704.372.6261 x300 or in person at the Museum. Visit us on Facebook or on Twitter at @DPNature.
Discovery Place Nature is open
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon – 5:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Here’s What’s Happening in June
Events & Activities
All Museum events and activities are free with admission.
For more information call 704.372.6261x300 or visit discoveryplacekids.org.
June Theme
Citizen Science – Join us this month as we become Citizen Scientists! We will actively collect data, increase our scientific knowledge and learn more about our community.
Weekday Activities
Join us on the Town Hall Stage at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, as well as at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.
The Great Sunflower Project: Since 2008, The Great Sunflower Project has been collecting data on pollinators to learn more about their numbers! For the first half of the month, we will learn about pollinators and why they are so important to our environment. June 1-14
Celebrate Urban Birds: Calling all bird watchers! In and around Huntersville and Charlotte, there are many different species of birds. We will identify various birds and learn more about their adaptations as we send in our data to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Celebrate Urban Birds project. June 15-30
Special Programs
Special programs start at Town Hall Stage with a story on the days and times listed. These programs take the place of the regularly scheduled programming.
June 4 – National Cheese Day: Say “CHEESE!” Today is all about one of our favorite snacks. We will be learning about cheese and its microbial properties with the help of our friends at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and their Cheese Alive! project. The fun begins at 11:15 a.m. and again at 1:45 p.m.
June 16 – Father’s Day: We will take time to show our dads, grandpas, uncles or anyone who is like a dad to us just how much they are loved. We’ll start by reading I Love You, Daddy by Jillian Harker and Kristina Stephenson then go to I CAN Create to make a gift they will love. Join us at 1:45 p.m.
June 21 – Summer Solstice: It’s the longest day of the year. What a great day to play in our Learning Garden. We’ll be reading The Sun is My Favorite Star by Frank Asch and then we will create art with some special materials that need the sun's rays. Meet us at 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. for some summer fun!
Daily Programs
Puppet Show
The Tortoise and Hare: Once there was a hare who really loved to run. Meet the characters he encounters and to see who will win the race between the tortoise and the hare. Will slow and steady win this race? Show times: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. and Sunday: 2:45 p.m.
Join us at the Town Hall Stage for an adventure in science. Predict, observe and experiment with different topics. From color-mixing to chemical reactions, our Science Show is sure to instill curiosity in our little scientists. Show times: Tuesday-Saturday: 10:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. and Sunday: 3:45 p.m.
Big Fun is the time of the day when children and adults move and groove to three of our favorite songs. Put on your dancing shoes and join us for this daily dance party! Show times: Tuesday-Saturday: 11:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. and Sunday: 4:45 p.m.
I CAN Create (all day)
Join us in I CAN Create this month as we see how talented we can be. Little artists can stop by any time to paint, color, build or draw a masterpiece.
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville admission is $11 per person and free for Discovery Place Kids Members and children younger than 1. Guests may purchase tickets online at discoveryplacekids.org., via phone at 910.997.5266 x300 or in person at the Museum. Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville is open
Tuesday 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday noon-5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday
