Visit the Backcountry Farm to learn how animals, plants, and even the earth itself sustained the European Settlers of the Piedmont.

Travel through an illustrated history of the Catawba Indians from the 16th-century bark house to the hewn log cabin of 1850. Learn about the close relationship between Native Peoples and the environment that provided them food, clothing and shelter.

Budding naturalists are invited to explore nature and history in the Bobcats Den. Kid-friendly activities and special programs are designed to promote experiential learning. Puzzles, live animals, games, discovery nooks and more await young children in this very special place to learn. Bud ’N’ Naturalists is made possible by a generous grant from the Lyon Foundation.

Stop by our interactive station in Pirates! to enjoy hands-on activities, touchable objects, and live animals from the sea. Be sure to ask our mate on duty any questions you might have about the exhibit.

Museum visitor “contestants” are wanted for an overboard game of chance and knowledge. Led by wild and rowdy costumed host, contestants spin the wheel to answer questions about pirate history, legends and lore, seamanship, and more. Contestants can win prizes, but you have to give your answer like a pirate would. Fun for all ages – groups and families especially!

Enjoy movies celebrating the world of pirates on our auditorium big-screen. A rotation of classic movies and modern-day blockbusters is sure to please. Take a break from exploring the museum and stay for as little or as long as you like!

Join the Schiele Museum on a dinosaur dig in the high desert of Central Wyoming. Help excavate a fantastic juvenile Diplodocus! Uncover fossils never seen before by human eyes! Learn field excavation techniques, sedimentology, and the paleontology of the area. Enjoy a windshield geology and history tour of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. Diversions from the dinosaur dig may include collecting 50 million year old fish fossils, insects and petrified wood to take home. See museums, historic sites, wildlife, and wide-open spaces! Airfare, ground transportation, lodging, equipment, and six meals are included. Teacher renewal credit is available. $1,950 for museum members. $2,150 for non-members. Register by April 30.

Feature Exhibit Opening Saturday May 15 Welcome to a world of swashbucklers, scallywags, and scurvy sea dogs--it's the pirates of the New World--that motley mob that ruled the waves from Carolina to the Caribbean. Here you'll meet Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Stede Bonnet and, aye--Blackbeard himself. Walk the decks of a pirate ship, visit a pirate camp, wander the dark streets of a pirate town, and uncover a rich buried treasure ofpirate facts and fiction. You may design your own Jolly Roger, tour the Rogue's Gallery and view genuine 18th century pirate artifacts recovered from Queen Anne's Revenge. Be there--if you dare! Be sure to join us on opening day – meet costumed interpreters, movies and special sessions of Pirate Wheel of Fortune throughout the day!

Pirates were not just murderous thieves but also skilled sailors requiring the skills of rope knotting. Come join the staff and learn the lore and craft of knot tying. Make your own knotted key chain or rope handled walking stick.

Beware! The pirates have landed. Don’t miss this full weekend of piratical adventures. Tour the PIRATES exhibits and enjoy: - A pirate encampment with activities for children and adults - Pirate encounters with swords and period firearms - Pirate performances at 11 AM and 2 PM - Displays of pirate gear, food, clothing and craft - A backwater tavern frequented by pirates - A pirate concert featuring sea shanties and pirate songs - And, a Buccaneers’ Ball with period foods and entertainment….special ticket required. Pirate Invasion is free with museum admission. Special tickets are required to attend the Buccaneers Ball. Call 704-866-6904 for reserved tickets.

The pirates have taken over and are ready to party! Enjoy an evening of food, music and merriment with the invading horde. Eat grub like to pirates enjoyed and wash it down with grog (local spirits). Hear music from a real pirate band with period-appropriate instruments. See dance demonstrations and join in. Be on guard – you never know when a sword fight, game of chance or serious encounter might occur. Costumes optional – fun guaranteed. $25 Members / $30 Nonmembers Call 704-866-6904 for advance tickets.

Enjoy a day filled with Robots! Join in on the excitement as robots play hockey and clash together in an all out war. Discover how robots are built and how robots play an increasingly beneficial role in society. $3.00 with Museum Admission

Get ready for a great summer with exciting and enriching camp activities that take advantage of the awesome exhibits, resources and staff at the Schiele Museum. Our Summer Day Camp will provide an enriching summer program for students with quality science, cultural, art and outdoor activities with a full-day schedule that will meet the needs of your family. With exciting themes scheduled for each week, your child can participate for a single week, several weeks planned around your vacation schedule, or join us from the beginning of summer to the end! In addition to cool explorations in science, history and culture, Summer Day Camp participants will enjoy a host of other activities on a daily and weekly basis, including: - Swimming - Outdoor recreation – Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Watching - Movies - Daily Snacks (campers bring their own lunch) - Games and Recreation – Bowling, Tennis, Dodgeball and more! Summer Day Camp is open for children entering into grades 1 - 5. Camp begins each day at 9 AM and ends at 4 PM. An extended day option expands your child’s daily experience to 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Children may participate for the themed-content portion of each camp only from 9 AM – 12 PM for a reduced fee. Call 704-854-6676 to learn more about our 2010 day camps.

This workshop, designed for formal and non-formal educators, explores North Carolina’s bat species through a presentation and hands-on activities. Participants will receive free materials and will test classroom activities. CEU and EEC credits are available upon workshop completion. Does not count towards Criteria I. For adults. Please register with Tanya Poole, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, 828-329-3472 or Tanya.poole@ncwildlife.org

Feature Exhibit Opening Saturday May 15 Welcome to a world of swashbucklers, scallywags, and scurvy sea dogs--it's the pirates of the New World--that motley mob that ruled the waves from Carolina to the Caribbean. Here you'll meet Calico Jack, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Stede Bonnet and, aye--Blackbeard himself. Walk the decks of a pirate ship, visit a pirate camp, wander the dark streets of a pirate town, and uncover a rich buried treasure ofpirate facts and fiction. You may design your own Jolly Roger, tour the Rogue's Gallery and view genuine 18th century pirate artifacts recovered from Queen Anne's Revenge. Be there--if you dare! Be sure to join us on opening day – meet costumed interpreters, movies and special sessions of Pirate Wheel of Fortune throughout the day!