Exploration Station

05/28/2026

⭐NEW ARRIVAL at the Exploration Station!⭐
As a part of Robeson County Partnership for Children 30th Anniversary Celebration Gala, we hosted a Fund the Need to help refresh and bring new life to our exhibits.
Updates to our exhibits included an interactive Fire Truck to our Fire Station!
We're forever grateful to the City of Lumberton, for fueling our mission to make play a powerful tool for growth.
The children are loving this new addition—come see it in action!!

05/27/2026

Special Hours for June and the first week of July.
Friday, June 15th - Closed for Juneteenth
Sunday, June 21st - Closed for Father’s Day
Monday, June 29th - July 5th Closed for Independence Day and Maintenance

05/22/2026

Our Full STEAM Ahead outreach program stopped by another local site for a dino-mite hands-on activity all about mold fossils! 🦕

Students explored how mold fossils form when an animal or object leaves an imprint in soft sediment that hardens over many, many years. To model this process, they pressed toy dinosaur skeletons into air-dry clay, creating detailed impressions of bones and body shapes. After carefully removing the figures, students could clearly see the molds left behind, just like the fossil imprints scientists uncover and study today. 🔍

Through creative hands-on learning, students were able to better understand how fossils form while bringing prehistoric science to life in a fun and engaging way! 🦖

05/15/2026

Our Full STEAM Ahead outreach program made a splash with a fun Soda-Mentos Geysers experiment! 🥤💧

Students worked together to drop Mentos into bottles of Sprite, Coke Zero, and Diet Coke, then watched as the fizzy eruptions grew and grew! Through this experiment, they learned that the soda and Mentos created a physical reaction, causing the bubbles in the soda to quickly rush out of the bottle and shoot high into the air! Students loved watching each explosion and cheering on every geyser! 🙌

Through simple hands-on science, students strengthened their teamwork skills and explored reactions while having tons of fun learning together! 👨‍🔬👩‍🔬

05/06/2026

Special hours for May!

Sunday, May 10th Closed for Mother’s Day
Saturday, May 16th - Open 1:00-5:00pm

05/01/2026

✨ What a stellar night at our aunnual Star Party at the Exploration Station! ✨
The 13th annual statewide star party on April 24th allowed families from across the community to come out to enjoy hands-on, make-and-take activities and explore the wonders of space together. 🚀
A highlight of the evening was a special update from Ken Brandt on the Artemis II mission, featuring Christina Koch—the first woman set to travel to the moon. 🌙
This free, family-friendly event was made possible thanks to amazing community partners including the Robeson County Partnership for Children and Exploration Station, Robeson County 4-H, Early College High School robotics team, and Robeson Community College.
💫 Together, we spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of explorers!

04/24/2026

Our Full STEAM Ahead outreach program stopped by Precious Angels for a dino-mite presentation about mold fossils! 🦕

Students discovered that mold fossils form when an animal or object leaves an imprint in soft mud that hardens into rock over a period of many, many years. To bring this idea to life, they pressed dinosaur skeleton figures into air-dry clay, creating clear impressions of footprints and body structures. After lifting the toys away, they could see the detailed molds left behind, leaving them with a perfect example of a mold fossil, just like the real ones scientists study. 🔍

By turning science into hands-on fun, students were able to better visualize how fossils form! 🦖

04/23/2026

Just a reminder of our special hours this weekend.

Special hours for April!
Saturday & Sunday, April4th & 5th - Closed for Easter
Saturday, April 25th - Closing at 1:00pm for a private party
Host your event with us! Call to book your own private party or event at 910-738-1114

04/15/2026

✨ You’re Invited to the 13th Annual Statewide STAR PARTY! ✨
Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars! 🌙⭐
📅 Friday, April 24, 2026
⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Exploration Station – 104 N Chestnut St., Lumberton, NC
This FREE, family-friendly event is packed with fun and discovery:

🔭 Star viewing
🚀 Artemis II mission update with Robeson Planetarium Director Ken Brandt
🧪 Hands-on make & take activities
🎟️ Free admission to Exploration Station
Come learn about the future of space exploration—including the historic mission featuring astronaut Christina Koch, the first woman set to go to the moon! 🌕
Bring the whole family and experience a night of science, wonder, and community. Don’t miss it!

04/12/2026

Celebrating the Week of the Young Child with FREE admission for families Wednesday, April 15th- Friday, April 17th.
We will also be doing a special activity for Artsy Thursday. Visitors on April 16th from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. are invited to participate. On Family Friday, families are encouraged to visit with not only FREE admission BUT, the first 20 children will get a copy of our "Hello Robeson County, Hola Robeson County" book to take home and enjoy with family. We hope to see you there!