Investigate Lab and Naturalist Center at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences

About this adventure

Two drop-in science spaces in the museum's Nature Research Center. In the Investigate Lab (3rd floor) visitors work through up to seven self-guided, hands-on activities at a time — microscopes and experiments in chemistry, nature and physical science — with staff on hand to answer questions; topics are pitched at middle school and up, and the lab also keeps moon jellyfish. In the Naturalist Center (2nd floor) families can examine an extensive specimen collection of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, plants, fossils, rocks and minerals, use two interactive computer field guides and get help from staff. The Naturalist Center's main collection areas are for children 8 and older, with a separate activity area for younger children and mixed-age groups; room capacity is 35.