North Carolina Science Festival

The **North Carolina Science Festival (NCSciFest)** is a statewide celebration of science that takes place each April, coordinated by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Instead of a single venue, the festival is a month‑long series of **hundreds of events** hosted by schools, museums, universities, libraries, parks, nonprofits, and industry partners across North Carolina. High school students can participate by **attending public events** (such as talks, lab tours, STEM expos, star parties, and hands-on workshops) and, in many cases, by **helping organize or volunteer** at local events through their schools or community organizations. Events are generally free or low-cost and are designed to make STEM accessible and engaging, connect students with scientists and engineers, and highlight STEM careers in North Carolina’s research and technology economy. Participation offers exposure to real-world science, networking with STEM professionals, and opportunities for community engagement and service.