Hickory – This fall and winter season step inside the Island of Sodor with the world’s most beloved #1 Engine in Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails at the Catawba Science Center. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by the island’s iconic locations: Knapford Station, Sodor Steamworks, and more! Children can help Thomas and his friends solve a variety of challenges, from a simple sorting and shape identification to more complex engineering obstacles, such as completing a train track using track pieces with different levels of elevation. As children confront new challenges and test their abilities, the smiling faces of Thomas, Percy, Victor and others are there to offer encouragement and remind children how “really useful” they are. Children will engage in a multitude of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) challenges using their critical thinking skills by exploring options, identifying problems and designing creative solutions. The exhibit features immersive environments featuring a large-scale Island of Sodor interactive train table, photo station, educational materials, and exhibit props and costumes!
Visitors are invited to enjoy Train Story Time every Wednesday to discover stories about Thomas the Tank Engine and other locomotives! Each week we will be reading new train-based stories to visiting kids in the North Classroom next to Carpenter Hall at 10:30 am and again at 1:30 pm. Stop by for a story and an engaging game with Thomas & Friends! This program is free with the price of admission. Check out CSC’s website www.catawbascience.org/carpenter-hall for additional events and activities related to the exhibit.
The Catawba Science Center is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The Thomas & Friends exhibit is now open in CSC’s Carpenter Hall through January 14, 2024.
Catawba Science Center is located on the SALT Block, 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601 t: (828) 322-8169.
