ASHEBORO — A month-long celebration of science will include an event at the North Carolina Zoo in April. The North Carolina Science Festival presents events across the state and this year Asheboro will host the three-day “Tinkering for Tomorrow” experience at the Kidzone at the zoo.
The event runs April 1 through April 3 from 10am to 2pm. During the festival, the zoo will provide fun places where craft supplies, and recycled items are available to create solutions to science problems. There is no additional charge for the activities.
The festival features hundreds of community events and is the first statewide science festival in the United States. Founded in 2010 by Morehead Planetarium, the festival is celebrating its 12th anniversary in 2022. With a strong focus on science, technology, engineering and math, the festival showcases the economic, educational, and cultural impact of science in North Carolina.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Engineering Tomorrow”— a celebration of the “E” in STEM and chance to explore how science can help solve the challenges ahead.
“We continue be amazed by the incredible work our partners are doing to celebrate science,” says Jonathan Frederick, the Festival’s Director. “From storytelling at events at local libraries to nighttime skywatching extravaganzas, there really is something for everyone.
Other nearby events include hands-on events based on other science themes.
Sandhills Community College will host an event titled “Designer Genes” on Wednesday, April 6, from 11am to 1pm in the Dempsey Student Center on the Pinehurst campus. Participants will experience multiple hands-on activity stations to engage in learning about DNA, cellular components, organismal genetic make-up, viruses, gene editing and genetically modified organisms. Participants may post reflections on what they learned on a Gene Graffiti Board and each will receive a Gene Passport.
Town Creek Indian Mound is hosting the “Statewide Star Party.” This event will happen in two separate events on April 9. The daytime event — from 10am to 3pm — includes activities that help participants better understand the University and celebrates the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. The nighttime event starts at 7:30pm and provides a guided tour of the night sky, including sky lore from cultures around the world. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and binoculars.
There is no cost to participate in the event and the public is invited to attend.
