A Time for Science in Greenville, NC, Makes STEM Fun for Everyone
For families living in Greenville and Pitt County, NC, A Time for Science, a branch of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, has been an incredible resource for family fun and education. With two locations, one in Greenville and one in Contentnea Creek, the museum provides a hub for kids and adults alike to learn about STEM.
“Whether someone prefers exploring the outdoors, learning about space, checking out wildlife, or joining a workshop or an event, there’s always something that fits their interests or age group,” says Emily Jarvis, head of the Greenville and Contentnea Creek branches. “It’s an easy place for both kids and adults to find something fun and meaningful.”
Summer Camp Meets STEM Education
Both locations are great educational resources for kids of all ages, which parents love. For Kelly Weaver, who was born and raised in Greenville and is now raising three children of her own in the area, the discovery of A Time for Science came at a time when her family was looking for new activities after the pandemic.
“One of the biggest things we love most about A Time for Science is the summer camps,” Weaver says. “I love that all three of my kids can go together.”
The Greenville and Contentnea Creek locations offer an abundance of summer camps for every interest, from astronomy to fishing, physics, botany, robotics and engineering.
“For many families, it’s a great way for kids to have a memorable summer while learning in ways that don’t always happen in a traditional classroom,” Jarvis says.
For Weaver, the fishing camp was a unique way to expose her children to STEM education.
At 6, 7 and 9 years old, Weaver’s children are not involved in sports, and A Time for Science has been a great way to get them active and out of the house.
“You might not think that your kids are going to enjoy science, but when they get to camp, they’re going to find something that speaks to them and that they enjoy,” Weaver says.
Fun for All
The museums have also become a community hub and social outlet for kids, no matter their age and educational level. Each month, the Greenville location hosts Kid’s Night Out with a different theme. Kids are treated to dinner, a STEM-related activity and a movie that goes with the theme of the night. Weaver takes this opportunity to have her own “parent’s night out” while her kids are having fun at the museum.
When families visit the museum together, adults can find plenty to enjoy. While kids are engrossed in engaging, tactile exhibits, adults can learn alongside them or find community with other visitors.
“Families, teachers, homeschool groups and curious adults all end up crossing paths through shared experiences in science and the outdoors,” Jarvis says.
Building Community
A Time for Science also hosts events designed to give back to the community, like the monthly community cleanup. Volunteers come together to pick up trash around different neighborhoods while enjoying sweet treats provided by local businesses. The cleanup effort is yet another way to keep people engaged and connected to the museum.
“The museum does a really beautiful job at connecting the community with our personal lives, our educational journeys and our businesses across town,” Weaver says. “It showed us the value of how we can work together and support one another. Good things really can grow.”
A Time for Science aims to engage children and adults across all educational and interest levels, offering free and low-cost field trips for schools across Greenville and Pitt County. From bringing programs into schools to partnering with local businesses, A Time for Science actively connects different pillars of the community in the name of science, education, community and fun. For the Weavers and other families across the region, the museum has become an integral part of their lives.
“The museum brings so much to our community because it was created in Greenville,” Weaver says. “It’s born from our community. It is ours, and I think that’s something really special that it’s been grown here. We very much see it as our museum.”
Get to Know Greenville, NC
Want to learn more about living and working in Greenville, NC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greenville-Pitt County, North Carolina.