Ride the range from American Indian star legends toblack holes with cowboy poet and humorist BaxterBlack. This program is a skillfully woven tapestry of star tales and Native American legends, combined with constellation identification, star-hopping, and astronomy tidbits-all told from the unique viewpoint of a cowboy astronomer who has traveled the world plying his trade and learning the sky along the way. $3 in addition to Museum admission.

Sky Quest is an exploration of the stars, planets and constellations told from the viewpoint of an astronomer. Share her lifelong fascination with the heavens - from her childhood adventures on Mars (via a cardboard rocket) - to the discovery of her “birthday star” that led her to become an astronomer and build her own mountain-top observatory. Narrated by Roxann Dawson (of Star Trek: Voyager), this program introduces the wonders of astronomy to people of all ages. Produced by Loch Ness Productions. $3 in addition to Museum admission.

Take a ride back in time to the real Wild West. Journey beyond the fiction and beyond the myth, to the real world of the American Cowboy. Retrace their evolution from the Mexican vaqueros of the old Spanish southwest to the hardworking cowhands of today’s Great Basin ranches. Along the way you’ll learn the true story of the historic Texas cattle drives-when men moved thousands of unruly animals north across hundreds of miles of prairie, mountains and desert. As you travel from ranch, to trail camp, to cow town, you’ll discover the tools and techniques necessary for work in the cattle trade. It’s a story of adventurous lives lived in the saddle and under the hat. It’s an epic tale of doggies, drifters and drovers-roundups, reatas and rodeos-bunk houses, bronc busters and buckaroos!

The wood yard serves as the staging area for the processing of timber for firewood and traditional camp fixtures. The course includes the use and care of wood yard tools: axes, saws, gluts and wedges, mauls, froes and peaveys. Also included is the preparation and use of chopping blocks, saw bucks and horses. Skills taught include chopping, splitting/riving, sawing/bucking and log maneuvering techniques. Cost: $55 ($50 for museum members)

Learn the process of making a traditional 3-legged stool from the Tulip (Yellow) Poplar tree. Learn to identify this important native species as you hone skills with period tools: hatchet, draw knife, auger, froe and maul. Each participant will take home their very own hand-crafted stool. $27 Members / $30 non-members. Call 704-854-6676 to register. Registration Deadline: May 18

In the mid to late 1700’s the Piedmont region of NC contained vast areas of dense cane called Canebreaks. Rivercane (Arundinaria gigantea) is the plant associated with these ecosystems. It is a native grass which was a primary source for Catawba and Cherokee basketry, an important forage for colonial livestock, and served early Settlers as angling rods, pipestems and other “gadgets.” Discover some of the many uses of this important plant which was once common to our 18th Century ancestors and in the 21st Century is critically threatened. Free for Members and with museum admission.

Your scout troop can enjoy fun and enriching activities at The Schiele after dark! Camp In events provide an opportunity to experience programs and exhibits at The Schiele in a fun indoor camping adventure. Program options allow you to customize your event to meet badge or pin requirements. A late night snack and breakfast are included! $30 per participant (2 adults free with a group of 15 Scouts). Call 704-869-1033 for available spring dates.

Celebrating International Migratory Bird Day! Join Schiele staff and other guests as we learn about migratory birds, their habitats, and how we can help them thrive!

Learn about natural history topics geared towards ages 3-6. Enjoy stories, special crafts or meet animals, perhaps a visit from a puppet or even a special guest. Look forward to a new program each month! This program is provided by a generous gift by the Lyon Foundation. March 5 - In A Nutshell: Plant a seed and hear a story from Nutty the Squirrel! April 2 - Shy Little Turtle: Meet a real turtle and make a craft. May 7 - Cucumber Soup: Learn a song, make a craft and try a cucumber slice! Free for Members and with Museum admission.

There is more in the night sky than you can see with your naked eye. Learn how to explore the universe with binoculars and small telescopes without leaving your own backyard. $3 in addition to Museum admission.

Travel with Rudy Rabbit and Roddy Robot as they visit the planetarium to explore the planets, stars and other wonders of the universe in this original production of the James H. Lynn Planetarium. This program is an ideal way to introduce the young (and young at heart) to the planetarium. $3 in addition to Museum admission.

Visit the Backcountry Farm and enjoy the kitchen garden in its prime! Talk with a backcountry housewife as she tends her garden and prepares for summer. Learn about some of the interesting uses of herbs, flowers, and vegetables grown in early Carolina gardens. Discover that the kitchen garden is much more than a vegetable patch! Free for Members and with museum admission.