DiscoverE Logo

The Engineering Navigator is a prototype AI-powered platform that connects students, families, and educators to engineering opportunities across the U.S. To show the power of this tool, we're focusing on North Carolina, where we're mapping local events and programs to show what's possible when communities are connected.

Engineering Navigator
Failed to load Google Maps. Please check your connection or try again later.

24 natural history Events Found

Apr 20

BRIT Reads Book Club: "Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel" by Carl Safina

Do you love to read? Are you passionate about botany, natural history, sustainability and similar topics? Then, you'll love the BRIT Reads Book Club! This informal group meets every other month to discuss a chosen book, in-person and virtually. We begin with a moderator summarizing the book and reviewing its key points. Then there is an opportunity for discussion--all are encouraged to share their perspectives and thoughts. You will leave with new information, new perspectives and new connections to others with shared interests. Don't have time to read the book? No worries! Join us to hear the review and jump in on the discussion! In April, join us to discuss Carl Safina's Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel, which brings forth powerful and illuminating insight into the unique personalities of animals through extraordinary stories of animal joy, grief, jealousy, anger, and love. Registration includes Garden admission for the day. Materials: Bring a copy of the book if you have it, your lunch and a friend! This event is indoors and will proceed as scheduled, rain or shine.
BRIT Library
Free
4/20/26
URL Copied Successfully
Apr 21

Once Upon a Time @ NHMU: April

Our final Storytime for the season will be all about eggs. We'll read the book "An Extraordinary Egg" by Leo Lionni. Interactive storytime designed to ignite the imagination of young visitors as they explore fascinating tales inspired by our natural world. Includes a small game, craft, or interactive activity based on the book.
Natural History Museum of Utah
Free
4/21/26
URL Copied Successfully
May 2

Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers - May 1, 2026

Overnight sleepover experience at the California Academy of Sciences for ages 4-17 with adults 18+. Includes exhibit exploration after hours, private planetarium show, overnight stay in exhibit area, rainforest access, milk and cookies, breakfast, secure parking, and next-day admission. Starts at 6 PM and continues until 8 AM the following morning.
California Academy of Sciences
$136.00 - Adults...
5/2/26
URL Copied Successfully
May 8

Gabriel's Bend Overlook Hike

Our second event in our 'Take a Walk on the Wild Side' hiking series. Join NC Guide & Haw River native Ben Clarke and his trusty dog Rocco once again for a spectacular 1.5 mile round-trip hike down the west bank of the Haw from Highway 64. We'll pass some of the most famous rapids on the river and lots of native mountain laurel, which should be at the peak of their flowering season! Our hike will take us to Gabriel's Bend, a Class III rapid where the Haw has cut a mighty cliff out of the riverbank. The trail climbs this cliff to a unique overlook surveying more than a mile of the river! Please be aware that this hike involves plenty of rock scrabbling, uneven ground on informal trails, and the risk of poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitos. Sturdy shoes, bug spray, and water recommended! Friendly dogs on leash are welcome but may struggle with the terrain.
US 64 Haw River Canoe Access
Free
5/8/26
Sourced: https://lowerhaw.org/events 01-17-2026
URL Copied Successfully
May 8

Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally

Annual Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally featuring programs for the entire family over the weekend including an expert speaker Friday night, youth programming, and nighttime explorations. Topics include salamanders, wildflowers, geology, birding, fishing, cultural history, mammals, medicinal plants, and general natural history. Event runs from Friday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM through Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Registration req...
5/8/26
URL Copied Successfully
May 8

History of Yaupon Tea & Rise Yaupon

Part of MDC's Monthly Public Lecture Series. Lecture will be held from 6-8 p.m. in the Learning Lab focusing on the native yaupon plant and its uses.
Marine Discovery Center Learning Lab
Free
5/8/26
URL Copied Successfully
May 16

Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers - May 15, 2026

Overnight sleepover experience at the California Academy of Sciences for ages 4-17 with adults 18+. Includes exhibit exploration after hours, private planetarium show, overnight stay in exhibit area, rainforest access, milk and cookies, breakfast, secure parking, and next-day admission. Starts at 6 PM and continues until 8 AM the following morning.
California Academy of Sciences
$136.00 - Adults...
5/16/26
URL Copied Successfully
May 23

North Carolina Fossil Festival

The North Carolina Fossil Festival celebrates the Aurora Fossil Museum and the rich fossil record of North Carolina. This family-friendly event features fossil digging, fossil displays, silent auction, displays by partner nonprofit organizations, live entertainment, food & craft vendors, dinosaur show, and much more! Activities include STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) components, fossil pits for digging, and educational experiences for children with an interest in science.
Aurora Fossil Museum
FREE ADMISSION w...
5/23/26
Sourced: https://ncfossilfest.com/ 01-17-2026
URL Copied Successfully
Jun 9

Time Travel Summer Nature Camp

Time travel - is it possible? At the Preserve it is! Using clues we can still find today, campers will explore what life might have been like here at different points in history. What was it like to be a dinosaur? Where did mastodons go? How have indigenous people cared for this land? Each camper will come home with their own historical artifact! Also offered July 14-16.
Calvin University Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens
$175.00 - $175 p...
6/9/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jun 14

Wildlife Wonders: Appalachian Zoology

Aspiring biologists and naturalists will explore the animal life of the southern Appalachians through discussions, workshops, hands-on lab experiments, and field trips. Identify local species by searching for salamanders in a private reserve, snorkeling in clear mountain streams, and studying specimens under microscopes. A special evening field trip will offer the opportunity to observe the rare synchronous and blue-ghost fireflies at a private reserve. Learn to use zoological tools such as aquatic and insect nets, binoculars, and dissecting and compound microscopes. Field trips will focus on observing and identifying vertebrate wildlife across Western North Carolina's diverse habitats.
UNC Asheville
$1,460.00 - $1,4...
6/14/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jun 14

Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers - June 13, 2026 (Girl Scout Exclusive)

Overnight sleepover experience at the California Academy of Sciences exclusively for Girl Scouts K-12 and their families. Includes exhibit exploration after hours, private planetarium show, overnight stay in exhibit area, rainforest access, milk and cookies, breakfast, secure parking, and next-day admission. Starts at 6 PM and continues until 8 AM the following morning.
California Academy of Sciences
$136.00 - Adults...
6/14/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jun 15

Wildlife Wonders: Appalachian Zoology

Aspiring biologists and naturalists will explore the animal life of the southern Appalachians through discussions, workshops, hands-on lab experiments, and field trips. Identify local species by searching for salamanders in a private reserve, snorkeling in clear mountain streams, and studying specimens under microscopes. A special evening field trip will offer the opportunity to observe the rare synchronous and blue-ghost fireflies at a private reserve. Learn to use zoological tools such as aquatic and insect nets, binoculars, and dissecting and compound microscopes. Field trips will focus on observing and identifying vertebrate wildlife across Western North Carolina's diverse habitats. Through readings and discussions, we'll also tackle questions like which species of wolves once roamed these mountains.
UNC Asheville
$1,460.00 - Incl...
6/15/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jun 22

Haw River Lowlands Hike

Our third event in our 'Take a Walk on the Wild Side' hiking series. Join NC Guide & Haw River native Ben Clarke and his trusty dog Rocco once again for a lovely 2 mile round-trip loop hike along the east bank of the Haw between Highway 64 and the start of Jordan Lake. We'll cross several creeks, pass some of the river's most famous rapids, and marvel at unique sights like the cactus boulder and cedar rock! Please wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground and bring adequate water. Friendly dogs are welcome on leash! No pre-registration required. Parking is limited - please carpool.
Lower Haw River State Natural Area
Free
6/22/26
Sourced: https://lowerhaw.org/events 01-17-2026
URL Copied Successfully
Jul 1

What's the Buzz (A World of Insects) - PROFILES Series

Part of the ongoing PROFILES series - 60-minute presentations exploring the people, places, and events that shape our lives, our world, our universe. Focus on the world of insects. Online with Zoom - Sign up online to reserve your space and get the Zoom meeting code.
Wilsonville Public Library
Free
7/1/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jul 11

6th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

What types of plants, animals, and fungal life might you find at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory? Let's find out! Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory in our 6th Annual BioBlitz. Your findings will inform a major research project and will contribute to the fifth data point in a multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History.
Ashton Cross Country Course
Free
7/11/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jul 11

6th Annual BioBlitz at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory

Join researchers in collecting, observing, and recording biodiversity at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory. Your findings will inform a major research project and contribute to multi-year documentation of how diversity changes at this site over time. Collections will be housed with the UI Museum of Natural History. Participants will examine insects under professional microscopes, learn species identification with iNaturalist app, and learn about ecological research. All ages event, no experience required, families welcome. Rain or shine event. Park in Hawkeye Commuter Lot and follow signage to event site.
Ashton Cross Country Course
Free
7/11/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jul 20

South Africa Institute

Experience the best wild lands that South Africa has to offer, from game reserves and grasslands to mountains and wetlands to beaches and estuaries. Search for the 'Big 5' species of wildlife, take bush walks with safari rangers, explore Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre, and cruise for hippos and crocs in coastal wetlands. Build connections with South African educators. Mandatory pre- and post-trip sessions will be held in Raleigh on Saturday, March 28 and Saturday, November 7, 2026. Activity level: Moderate to rigorous including walking and hiking up to 7 miles on uneven terrain.
Multiple locations in South Africa and Raleigh, NC
$2,500.00 - Incl...
7/20/26
URL Copied Successfully
Jul 27

Wilderness Expedition Summer Camp

Look no further for a true immersive experience in natural history. This introductory backpacking expedition is led by our exceptional naturalists and wilderness guides and is the perfect opportunity for hands-on exploration. From learning about and identifying the flora and fauna found in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, lessons in astronomy, and developing backcountry skills such as orienteering and Leave No Trace principles, this camp is the epitome of an aspiring young naturalist's dream! If you know a youth between the ages of 11 and 17, contact us today to learn more. Camp runs from Monday, July 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM through Friday, July 31, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Free
7/27/26
URL Copied Successfully
Aug 3

EXPLORING THE NATURAL World OF ONʌYOTEˀa·ká·

Staff from the Oneida Nation and UW-Green Bay will lead campers on a journey to explore the amazing and beautiful natural world for their fifth annual camp! During the first and last days of this 3-day camp, students will hike marshes, grasslands, and forests on Oneida Nation land and discover plants, plant medicines, birds, bugs, frogs, and other wildlife at four sites Oneida has restored from agricultural lands. Students will participate in scavenger hunts, search for and identify wildlife, catch fish and invertebrates, and gain hands-on experiences with nature. Open to Oneida Nation citizens only.
Oneida Nation Land and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
free with a good...
8/3/26
Sourced: https://uwgb.edu/camps/stem 01-19-2026
URL Copied Successfully
Aug 7

Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally

Join us for the Mount Rogers Summer Naturalist Rally! There's something for the entire family with a keynote speaker Friday evening followed by nighttime explorations. Saturday promises a full day of expert-led nature programs and youth programming. Topics include salamanders, wildflowers, geology, birding, fishing, cultural history, mammals, medicinal plants, general natural history, and much, much more! Event runs Friday August 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM through Saturday August 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Register for the rally, buy meal tickets, and reserve a room.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Registration and...
8/7/26
URL Copied Successfully
Aug 31

Nighthawk Migration

Join us on Sunday, August 30 to witness the nighthawk migration! This event is a member-only / BRB event. Registration is required. Additional information will be sent to registered participants prior to the event. Not a member yet? Easily become a member and join us for this and many more unique events throughout the year!
Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Member-only even...
8/31/26
URL Copied Successfully
Oct 13

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

In 1997, the Wings Over Water (WOW) Wildlife Festival was established as a way to encourage and offer the public opportunities for wildlife and wildland interpretation, education and experiences on regional national wildlife refuges. This annual fundraising event for national wildlife refuges has grown from offering just a few activities in 1997 to now featuring over 60 birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs. Wings Over Water is an annual fundraising event sponsored by the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society (CWRS), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting regional national wildlife refuges. In addition to providing funds for educational grants to schools, WOW contributes to many CWRS projects, such as maintaining trails, signs, and other refuge structures. Also, WOW helps CWRS provide volunteers and staff who are essential to the maintenance and operation of the regional national wildlife refuges visitor centers and refuges.
Virtual
Free
10/13/26
URL Copied Successfully
Oct 13

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival began in 1997 to connect the public with wildlife and wildland experiences in regional national wildlife refuges. Hosted across six refuges in northeastern North Carolina, the festival features about 60 programs, including birding, paddling, photography, and natural history, making it one of the premier East Coast wildlife festivals. It also supports refuge conservation and education through the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society. Keynote event will be at the historic Pioneer Theater downtown Manteo, North Carolina. Festival runs October 13-18, 2026 with WOW Encore December 4-6, 2026.
Six National Wildlife Refuges
Free
10/13/26
Sourced: https://wingsoverwater.org/ 02-13-2026
URL Copied Successfully
Dec 4

WOW Encore

WOW Encore is an extension of the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, running December 4-6, 2026. This encore event continues the wildlife and conservation programming offered during the main festival.
Six National Wildlife Refuges
Free
12/4/26
Sourced: https://wingsoverwater.org/ 02-13-2026
URL Copied Successfully