N.C. Science Festival invites all ages to explore science, technology

Starting Friday, museums, parks, nature centers, schools and other spots across the state will celebrate science and technology as part of the North Carolina Science Festival.

Posted 12:59 a.m. Apr 8, 2015 — Updated 12:59 a.m. Apr 8, 2015

Starting Friday, museums, parks, nature centers, schools and other spots across the state will celebrate science and technology as part of the North Carolina Science Festival.

The festival, now in its fifth year, runs through April 26 and offers daily and mostly free programs for all ages. The goal is to highlight the educational, cultural and financial impact of science on the state. That happens through hands-on activities, science talks, lab tours, nature walks, exhibits and performances. Many programs will aim to expose kids to possible careers in science and technology. There really is something here for all ages.

The festival's website maps out the schedule of events in six regions across the state. We're in the Research Triangle region, which will host a bevy of special events throughout the festival thanks to all of the museums, universities, parks and other destinations we have around here.

There are so many events that I can't possibly list them all ... and the festival's website does that already.

But there are some highlights for this weekend. They include a Statewide Star Party at Old North Durham Park on Friday. On Saturday, the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences hosts the Triangle SciTech Expo; UNC-Chapel Hill hosts the UNC Science Festival; and Marbles Kids Museum has its Family Science Fair. On Sunday, New Hope Valley Railway hosts a special event that highlights the science and technology of the railroad.

The festival's website has information about these and many more events coming up, including some weekday events for preschoolers or kids who might be tracked out.

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