Greensboro Science Center

Science Presentations

Groups with 10 or more students can reserve the following Science Presentations Monday – Friday. Groups will be assigned a 10:00 am, 11:00 am, or 12:00 pm program based on availability. Reservations must be requested at least two business weeks prior to your group visit.

*Thanks to a contract between the Guilford County Public School System and the Greensboro Science Center, each class in the Guilford County Public School System is allowed free general admission and up to two complimentary Science Presentations as availability allows. This agreement is only valid on days when Guilford County Public Schools are in session, during school hours from August 30, 2024 – February 28, 2025.

Amazing Animals

Recommended for: Grades K, 1, 2, Ex

During this 35-minute program, students will have the opportunity to see some of our small animals and biofacts as they learn about their special features, diets, and native ranges. They will also discover the differences and similarities between mammals, birds, and reptiles. This program features two to three of our Ambassador Animals who are asked to participate by showcasing adaptations and behaviors. Animals may or may not participate in touch.

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
Kindergarten: LS.K.1, LS.K.2.1
1st Grade: LS.1.1
2nd Grade: LS.2.2.1
Exceptional Children: ECS.LS.K.1.2, ECS.LS.1.1, ECS.LS.2.2

Mineral Mysteries

Recommended for: Grades 1, 2

Professor I.M. Igneous has disappeared, and your help is needed. The Professor has left you some clues… a series of mineral mysteries that you will be challenged to solve. This presentation combines theater and science in a lively manner that will delight your students. After all, their knowledge of rocks and minerals may help save the day!

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
1st Grade: ES.1.2.1, ES1.3
2nd Grade: ESS.1.2.1

Insects & Spiders

Recommended for: Grades 1 – 4

Welcome to the world of six- and eight-legged wonders! Students will meet some of our invertebrate ambassadors as they learn about their life cycles, unique features, and their impact on the environment. Students will learn to recognize the differences and similarities between insects and spiders when two lucky volunteers are transformed using vivid costuming.

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
1st Grade: LS.1.1
2nd Grade: LS.2.1
4th Grade: LS.4.1.1, LS.4.1.2, ESS.4.3.3

Animal Survival

Recommended for: Grades 1 –  HS

What do animals need to survive? Students will have the opportunity to meet some interesting animal friends and biofacts as they explore the conditions (air, water, food, shelter, space, and protection) necessary for animals to survive. Animals are asked to participate by showcasing a variety of behaviors and may or may not participate in touch. An emphasis is placed on conservation and good stewardship.
Animal Survival+ is adapted for grades 6 – HS.

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
1st Grade: LS.1.1, ESS.1.3.2
4th Grade: LS.4.4, ESS.4.3
5th Grade: LS.5.2.3

Animal Survival +
6th Grade: ESS.6.3
8th Grade: LS.8.2.1, LS.8.2.2
BIO: LS.Bio.5.2
ESS: ESS.EES.4.5, 5.3, 6.1

Sound Science

Recommended for: Grades 2 – 6

Catch some “good vibrations” as we experiment with the science of sound. Students will participate in demonstrations to learn about vibration, pitch, and volume, and will produce sounds using a variety of objects. They will learn how the human body produces and hears sounds by studying vocal cords and the human ear, then compare these methods to how animals hear and use sound. See the giant sound wave, perform some beautiful music, and judge the distance to a lightning strike!

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:2nd Grade: PS.2.2
4th Grade: PS.4.2.1
6th Grade: PS.6.3

Matter

Recommended for: Grades 2 – 6

Through experimentation and audience participation, students will be intrigued by this investigation of matter. They will learn to understand the meaning of “matter,” and will also participate in exciting demonstrations about atoms, molecules, states of matter, and expansion and contraction. They will see matter dramatically expand and contract before their very eyes!

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
2nd Grade: PS.2.1
3rd Grade: PS.3.1
5th Grade: PS.5.1
6th Grade: PS.6.1

Animal Adaptations

Recommended for: Grades 3 – HS

Students will enjoy learning about and seeing some of the many intriguing ways that animals’ bodies and behaviors have adapted for survival. Live animals and animal biofacts will be used to demonstrate some of nature’s most ingenious adaptations. Animals are asked to participate by showcasing a variety of behaviors and may or may not participate in touch.
Animal Adaptations+ is adapted for grades 6 – HS.

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
4th Grade: LS.4.1
5th Grade: L.5.3

Animal Adaptations +
6th Grade: ESS.6.2
8th Grade: LS.8.3, ESS.8.1
BIO: LS.Bio.9, 10.1

Electricity & Magnetism

Recommended for: Grades 3 – 8

Spark your students’ scientific curiosity with this exciting program as we investigate the connections between magnetism, static electricity, electrical current, conductors, and insulators. An introduction to atomic structures and a sprinkling of history help to make demonstrations with a Van de Graaff generator, motors, magnets, and electrical conduction a truly hair-raising experience!

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
4th Grade: PS.4.1, PS.4.2
6th Grade: PS.6.2.4 & 5

Wild Weather

Recommended for: Grades 4 – 7

This world is full of wild weather – hurricanes, tornados, and hail-producing thunderstorms. Following the water cycle, students will learn about the factors that contribute to these weather wonders including temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind, and precipitation as well as the tools used for weather measurement and prediction. A tornado will appear in the classroom as the grand finale!

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
5th Grade: ESS.5.1
7th Grade: ESS.7.1

Energy

Recommended for: Grades 3 – 8

Students participate in a series of fun demonstrations designed to help them understand the six basic forms of energy. They will generate electricity, fire a cannon, and produce an eerie chemical light. Energy transformation and conservation (including technologies such as LED and solar) will be demonstrated.

North Carolina Science Standard Course of Study Correlation:
3rd Grade: PS.3.3
4th Grade: PS.4.2.1
6th Grade: PS.6.3.2
7th Grade: PS.7.2.1 & 2 & 3

Contact Us

Questions or comments? Email learn@greensboroscience.org.