UNC Science Expo
2025-04-05 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Join us for one of the biggest science celebrations in the state!

Every year, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center hosts a day of science learning and fun for our community in partnership with UNC-Chapel Hill faculty, students, and staff.

The UNC Science Expo is a signature event of the annual North Carolina Science Festival and one of the biggest celebrations of science in the state. More than 100 booths staffed by UNC-Chapel Hill students, researchers, practitioners, and community volunteers fill the quads surrounding Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. From hands-on activities and games to science demonstrations and behind-the-scenes lab tours, the UNC Science Expo makes learning about science fun and engaging for people of all ages.

Spot, an agile mobile robot from Boston Dynamics, wows the crowd at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center as part of the UNC Science Expo on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Learn More About the UNC Science Expo

UNC Science Expo Parking

If you are attending the UNC Science Expo and plan to drive, please allow extra time for parking due to limited options caused by the Expo and other events in Chapel Hill. Please note that the parking lot in front of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (250 E Franklin Street) will be closed on April 5.

For campus parking options, please visit https://maps.unc.edu/parking/. Parking is also available in town lots and on the street, but public parking fees may apply. For more information about Town of Chapel Hill parking options, visit https://parkonthehill.com/.

Accessible parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Old East lot, located on E Cameron Ave between the New East and Old East buildings. A drop-off zone will be available at the Morehead lot throughout the event.

Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis
2025-04-05 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-19 12:00 - 13:00

Earth, Moon and Sun
2025-04-05 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-12 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-19 13:30 - 14:30

We Are Stars
2025-04-05 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-19 15:00 - 16:00

Carolina Skies
2025-04-05 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-12 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-19 16:30 - 17:30

Astronaut
2025-04-06 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-13 13:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-20 13:30 - 14:30

Supermassive Black Holes
2025-04-06 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-13 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-20 15:00 - 16:00

One Sky, Many Eyes
2025-04-06 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-11 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-13 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-20 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-04-25 16:30 - 17:30

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
2025-04-11 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-25 15:00 - 16:00

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2025-04-12 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-04-19 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-04-26 10:30 - 11:30

Star Families: Spring Skies
2025-04-12 12:00 - 13:00

Teen Science Cafe
2025-04-25 17:30 - 19:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Teen Science Cafe in April for the NC Science Festival!

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium on Friday, April 25th for a very exciting Teen Science Cafe! We are still waiting to confirm our speaker, but we want to make sure you get this exciting program on your calendar.The Morehead Teen Science Cafe is where learning meets fun in a space-themed setting. Located on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center has a history of training astronauts for moon missions, has a giant dome theater, schedules frequent shows, and so much more.Our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!The right doors up the big stairs will open at 5:30 for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:00 and wrap up around 7:00ish.

Program Schedule

5:30 pm – Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: Pizza social. Pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will also take place in the Full Dome Theather.

*Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
