CATAWBA SCIENCE CENTERON THE SALT BLOCK - 243 THIRD AVENUE NE

HICKORY, NC 28601

ANNUAL REPORT 2012-13

ContentA Message from The Board President 3

Unexpected Stories 4

Exhibits 5

Message from The Executive Director 6

Facts and Figures 7

Legacy Society 8

Donor Lists 9

CATAWBA SCIENCE CENTER ANNUAL REPORT 2012-13

Many of us look at our children and wonder about their futures. We invest in them by sending them to school, making sure they are keeping up on their homework and studies, shuttle them to after-school activities and celebrate their successes. As the President of Catawba Science Center’s Board of Directors, I focus a portion of my time thinking about the current as well as the future health of science education in our community. I’m encouraged to know that over 53,000 school children visited Catawba Science Center and immersed themselves in hands-on experiences, helping them understand basic science principles. These experiences bring life and meaning to the academic learning in their school environments.

I’m also pleased with the growth in the new Science Discovery Endowment Fund (see article, page 8), and some of the improvements we made to the aquarium and other exhibits during the past year. We have lots more to do. Catawba Science Center is your science center. I hope you will look for ways to become engaged in this important work.

A message from the Board President

2012-2013Board of Directors

Richard “Rich” EllisPresident

Roger YoungVice President

Melissa ShronceTreasurer

John LeachPast President

Christine GettyGuild President

Ann AmannSecretary &

Service LeagueRepresentative

Ron BennettShawn D. Clemons

Dr. Bernhard DeutschMike Dickinson, M.D.

Steve EllisChris Finnin

Kevin C. McIntoshGeorge A. Moretz

Wayne PowellJohn Roby

Joyce SpencerJohn Teeter

Robert WarmuthMichael Webber

Rob WesselsRoger Young3Catawba Science Center Annual Report

Earlier in the year we received a call from a woman who wanted to thank us for helping her husband. We listened as she explained how her husband had suffered a serious stroke. His ability to express himself verbally and use certain motor skills had been impaired. Initially, they were able to participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation that was supported by their insurance policy. But, eventually that funding ran out.

She got creative and started bringing her husband to Catawba Science Center on a regular basis. At first he worked with colored blocks – relearning the words, sorting them in different ways and rebuilding neural pathways that helped him communicate again. Later he moved to the K’nex table and worked on hand-eye coordination while connecting plastic K’nex hubs and spokes. Each piece was color coded so he could talk about his newly-found color words while he created various K’nex structures. Before she hung up she expressed her gratitude for the support Catawba Science Center had provided in her husband’s recovery. We’d like to pass that appreciation on to all our donors, sponsors, members and volunteers. You are changing lives in more ways than you can imagine.

Unexpected Stories: Rehabilitation

Unexpected Stories:Volunteers

Bob and Carole Lake moved to Hickory to be closer to their grandchildren after long careers with Bell Labs and AT&T. Both have math, science and educational backgrounds and were drawn to Catawba Science Center when visiting Hickory for the first time.

When CSC learned about Bob and Carole’s experiences and love for science, they suggested that Bob and Carol become volunteers. They contribute their time assisting visitors throughout CSC and are key contributors to CSC behind the scenes. Bob created an assortment of K’nex animals and machines that are on display and for sale in the Science Shops. Carole took an inventory of our animals and then created an information kiosk for the Naturalist Center. She also took numerous Flutter-By Butterfly photos this summer.

Both Bob and Carole enjoy spending time at CSC stating that, “there is something for everyone “and “they receive more back in experiences than they give. “ Why don’t you think about joining Catawba Science Center’s wonderful corps of volunteers?

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The butterflies returned to Catawba Science Center this summer thanks to the sponsorship of The Beaver Family Foundation, 2013 Italian Dinner Fund-a-Cause donors and Ronald McDonald House of North Carolina (RMHC of NC).

CSC is appreciative of all exhibition sponsors, but a very special partnership developed with the RMHC of NC. CSC heard about Ronald McDonald’s 1,000,000 pop tab challenge and how the proceeds helped children with serious illnesses. We had no idea how much space the collection of that many tabs would consume or the emotional stories we would hear.

CSC, in partnership with a local McDonald’s Franchise owner, developed tray liners and a limited edition collection box. The tray liners connected the story of recycling pop-tabs with the importance of caring for our natural habitat. To encourage participation by many people, each child who filled a plastic bag or a collection house with at least 100 tabs received a free Mc Donald’s Happy Meal and a free child’s admission to CSC.

To date CSC has collected over 800,000 pop tabs. There’s still time to add your tabs to the collection before we pack them up for delivery to the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Charlotte in February 2014.

When planning the 2013 summer exhibition for Carpenter Hall, CSC was faced with two options; find an exhibit to rent or create CSC’s own exhibit. The first option was easier, but the second option seemed more in balance when combined with the Flutter-By Butterfly Habitat. The Exhibit Task Force embraced this challenge and developed Imagine, Design, Play (IDP). An objective for the development team was to seek local businesses that would donate products capable of being turned into creative, hands-on building playgrounds. IDP gave children (and adults) the opportunity to create, build, design and challenge their minds through six hands-on interactive stations: Imagination Blocks, Moon Sand, Hickory Stix, Pipe Connections, K’nex and a rope maze. The decision resulted in one of CSC’s most popular attractions, Imagine Design Play (IDP). The exhibition was such a hit that other science centers have expressed interest in renting it.

Unexpected Stories: Rehabilitation

I am constantly asked how Catawba Science Center measures the impact of its science exhibitions and programs on participants. Admittedly, evaluating the increase in knowledge or understanding a particular subject by an individual is difficult. A recent article in PCAV Destinations magazine noted that, “According to Fast Company’s data, cities with science centers typically rank higher on their intelligent economy, governance, mobility, and education.” While many of our on-site experiences are not scientific studies, we feel that engagement in hands-on science experiences positively impacts a child’s life. We regularly see the excitement in children’s eyes and in their actions. Children and their families interact as they learn together about the mysteries of science. They join in our Family Day events and other activities to ponder challenges and create solutions that help them build a stronger bridge or design a faster cardboard canoe. Children can be witnessed with big smiles on their faces as they unravel each mystery. These children feel good about their science experiences, which is an indicator of their future interest in pursuing a career in a science field.

We think of Catawba Science Center as being a place for kids, but I’m pleasantly surprised to see how our work touches the lives of adults as well. I hope you enjoy the accompanying stories about our volunteers and other adults who have found a special place. Come and discover how Catawba Science Center can change your life through its mission of inspiring learning through science and wonder.

A Message fromThe Executive Director

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The number of counties that brought school

groups to Catawba Science Center from July

2012 to June 2013.

The amount of visitors who walked through the

doors of Catawba Science Center from July

2012 to June 2013.

The amount of students that participated in

Catawba Science Center school programs and

field trips.

24 132,000 53,000

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Endowment gifts

Facilities Support SALT Block + United Arts Council

Other Income Memberships

Program Fees

Admissions & Gift Shop Sales

Exhibit Rentals

Contributed Income and Sponsorships

Government, State & Federal

SOURCES OF INCOME

Government, State & Federal 123,751.00 5% Contributed Income and Sponsorships 298,463.00 11% Exhibit Rentals 101,170.00 4% Admissions & Gift Shop Sales 234,025.00 9% Program Fees 379,589.00 14% Memberships 158,387.00 6%Other Income 274,015.00 10%Facilities Support SALT Block + United Arts Council 559,803.00 21%Endowment gifts 522,011.00 20%

Facts and FiguresINCOME

Bad debt expense

Depreciation

Management & General

Fundraising

Program Services

Program Services 1,764,873.00 72%Fundraising 132,516.00 5%Management & General 345,842.00 14%Depreciation 196,629.00 8%Bad debt expense 25,921.00 1%

EXPENSES

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The Science Discovery Endowment Fund was created as a way to support science programs connecting youth and science professionals. When Charles Dixon challenged Catawba Science Center to raise $1 million by offering to match each dollar we raised, he may not have realized how his vision would impact the way we think about exhibitions.

This spring Catawba Science Center will host an exhibition on the human body. We are working closely with health care providers to create educational experiences designed to help people understand their own bodies and how to care for themselves. A second exhibition will provide an understanding of the characteristics and physical properties of light. Science professionals from our community are working with CSC staff members to create amazing exhibits demonstrating how light is used in optical fiber and cabling systems. We are very excited to be connecting the important work of these businesses to the youth in our community.

You can play an important part in our mission of changing lives and inspiring learning through science and wonder by making a gift to the Science Discovery Endowment Fund. There’s still time for you to take advantage of Mr. Dixon’s challenge and double your gift to the endowment fund. We hope you will act now in order to have an im-pact on future generations of youth. Gifts of $5,000 or more qualify donors for membership in the Legacy Society.

Science Discovery Endowment Fund

AnonymousAlan & Eleanor BarnhardtWilliam M. & Harriet B. BarnhardtBob & Andrea Bell*Rob & Kathi BellRon & Karen BennettGeorge & Sally Blackwelder*Jerome & Linda BolickTally O. & Marjorie Bowman*Jimmy & Donna BushClaude & Opal Cansler*Catawba Valley Medical CenterJohn & Shelley ClarkCorning Incorporated FoundationDr. Mike DickinsonCharles & Dorothy Dixon*Mrs. Margaret C. Edwards

Elizabeth G. FridayGene & Sherri IngleAlbert Keiser, Jr.Dr. Ward & Martha Kurad*Landon & Nila Lane*

John & Eileen LeachGeorge Lyerly*Drs. James & Lynne Lichtenstein*Jearld & Carolyn LeonhardtSuzanne & Kenneth Millholland*George & Carolyn MoretzCarol & Chic Robinson*Buck & Helgi Shuford*Charles & Mickey Shuford*Dorothy Cilley Shuford*Pope & Peggy ShufordMark & Thea SinclairSouthern Webbing Mills, Inc.John & Diane TeeterUnderdown Family FoundationVon Drehle CorporationFrank & Sarah Willis*

*in memoriam

Corporate Members

Aiken-Black Tire Service, Inc.Alex Lee, Inc. Animal Hospital of East BurkeBB&T/Cline Southern InsuranceBistro 127Broome Associated Insurance AgencyCaldwell Community College & Technical InstituteCapps, Armstrong & Priestley, LLPCarolina Tape & SupplyCatawba Valley Animal HospitalCatawba Valley Medical CenterCBSA Architects, Inc.Century Furniture IndustriesCertainTeedCommScopeCommunityOneCorning Cable SystemsDavid E. Looper & Co.Drillers Service, Inc.First Security Company, Inc.Foothills GymnasticsFrye Regional Medical CenterGeneral Dynamics SatcomGreer Laboratories, Inc.Gunter & Graham DDSHickory Brands, Inc.Hickory Mechanical, Inc.HSM Solutions, Inc.HK Research Corp.James Oxygen & SupplyKlingspor Abrasives, Inc.Lake Hickory Country ClubLaneventureLeather MiraclesLee Industries, Inc.M.D.I.McDonald’sMedical Center Pharmacy, Inc.Paramount Motor Sales, LLCPeoples BankPepsi-Cola Bottling CompanyPlastic Packaging Inc.Republic Services, Inc.Resource Partners LLCShuford Federal Credit UnionShurtape TechnologiesSigmon, Clark, Mackie, Hutton, Hanvey & Ferrell, PASign Systems, Inc.The Best of Beers, LLCTurf Pro LandscapingUS Conec Ltd.von Drehle CorporationYoung, Morphis, Bach, & Taylor, LLPZF Lemforder

Exhibit & Project Sponsors Great Balls of Fire Catawba Valley Medical Center CommScope von Drehle Corporation Drillers Service, Inc. Shurtape Technologies TSH Charitable Foundation, Inc Frye Regional Medical Center Retroview Steve and Barbara Thomas David and Elaine Myers Mr. Thomas H Stewart James and Kathryn Hodges Dr. and Mrs. J. Ward Kurad Mr. and Mrs. George Blackwelder, Jr. Paul and Martha Fogleman Mr. and Mrs. George Blackwelder, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Joel B. Miller Lynn and Jo Ann Spees David and Mitzi Bissette Mr. Albert Keiser Ms. Tricia Little Bruce and Becky Beerbower Eleanor Beerbower Ms. Maya Beerbower Thomas Beerbower and Amy Jerva John and Jane Riffe Science After Dark The Best of Beers, LLC Conservation Quest George Foundation The Duke Energy Foundation Corning Cable Systems Honda Cars of Hickory Mike Johnson Hickory Toyota Cloninger Ford Paramount Motor Sales, LLC Piedmont Natural Gas Planetarium Shows Carolina Anesthesia Associates Cardboard Canoe Race Carolina Container Company Shurtape Technologies Imagine, Design, Play Vanguard Furniture Flutter-By Butterfly Habitat Beaver Family Foundation, Inc. Kevin and Amber McIntosh Life Grows On of Hickory, Inc, in honor of Bruce Beerbower Edward and Laurie Greene Hickory Dickory Dock Alan and Eleanor Barnhardt Lenoir-Rhyne University Ed and Jane Gavin Chief and Mrs. Floyd W. Lucas, Jr. Bluebird Project L. B. Lane Family Foundation

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Italian Dinner Nova SponsorsPlatinum Frye Regional Medical Center

Gold David E. Looper & CompanyJohnny Dy and Christine GettyGreer Laboratories, Inc.John and Eileen LeachParamount Motor Sales, LLCvon Drehle CorporationWells Fargo Bank

SilverMr. and Mrs. Lanny HuffmanMcDonald’s Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Hickory, NCYoung Morphis Bach and Taylor, LLP

BronzeCatawba Radiological Associates, Inc.George and Carolyn MoretzRob and Townes Wessels

Additonal DonationsPhil & Leigh ArmstrongDr. Anna DuncanJohn & Jane EarlEric and Suzanne EinfaltBryan & Kathryn JonesNick & Natalie KincaidBrian & Gretchen KrenzelJeff & Florence MackieAl & Beth OshbarJohn and Jane RobyJorge & Barbara SerranoLane & Virginia SuttonKnox & Blair TateBilly & Katherine Truitt Erik & Mary ValentaJack & Linda WadeBenny & Cherie Yount

Touch The Future

ArcelorMittal Piedmont LLC Dr. Brian HearonThe Jackson Group, Inc.Dr. and Mrs. Ron LockeDr. Derek LuneyDr. Norman McDonaldDr Ryan MillerDr. Sanjay PatelDr. Tom Wiley

Partners in ScienceAquarium BB&T/Cline Southern Insurance

Biology/ Human Body Greer Laboratories, Inc.LaneVentureMedical Center Pharmacy, Inc.Abingdon Glen Village- Associate Partner

Biology/ Plants & Animals Broome Associated Insurance AgencyFirst Citizens BankVanguard FurnitureTurf Pro Landscaping

BiotechnologyCaldwell Memorial HospitalCentury Services

ChemistryUnited Beverages of NC, LLCFiber-Line, Inc. Organized Giving Committee

Earth ScienceAFLAC- Gwen ButlerAmerican Roller Bearing Company

Environmental Science Catawba Valley Wildlife Club, Inc.Cloninger Ford of Hickoryvon Drehle Corporation

NumbersDavidson, Holland, Whitesell & CoShuford Yarns, LLCWells Fargo Advisors- Sowers & WebberWells Fargo Foundation

Physical ScienceBrittain Engineering, Inc.Hi-Tech Fuses, Inc.Hickory Sheet Metal CompanyUS Conec Ltd.ZF Lemforder CorporationC. R. Laine Furniture- Associate PartnerDesign Tool, Inc.- Associate PartnerHickory Brands, Inc.- Associate Partner

PreschoolAiken-Black Tire Service, Inc.Baker Furniture, Inc.Carolina Tape & Supply CorporationDavid E. Looper & CompanyTaylor & Viola, Inc.Vesco Toyotalift

Space ScienceCorporate Management ServicesPlastic Packaging Inc.

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Free Friday SponsorsThe Unifour FoundationPepsi-Cola Bottling CompanyBroyhill Family Foundation, Inc.Piedmont Natural Gas FoundationRepublic Services, Inc.Target FoundationCarolina Container CompanyThe Charles Stewart CompanyJody & Rebecca InglefieldLane VentureThe Wells Fargo FoundationCatawba Valley Community FoundationHickory Rotary ClubRotary Club of Lake Hickory

In-Kind DonorsFoothills Radio Group, LLCFOCUS NewspaperDrs. Thomas and Mary LesserThe Best of Beers, LLCHickory CrawdadsDean CarterShirley ThomasJames Oxygen & SupplyDr. and Mrs. Bill GeidemanTeresa GrayesCentury Furniture IndustriesHickory Motor SpeedwayMotion IndustriesYMCA of Catawba ValleyShurtape TechnologiesNathan ThomasAssociated Brands, Inc.CommScopeCharlotte Pipe & FoundryBarnes & Noble BooksellersCatawba Paper Box

Pre-K Grants

Coffey FoundationAnn Cornwell Patton and George Thomas Cornwell Fund, Community Foundation of Burke CountyNewton-Conover Rotary Club

Special Grants

Frank Drendel/ Shauna DrendelUnited Arts Council of Catawba County

Planetarium Show Sponsors

Carolina Anesthesia AssociatesGalaxy Foods

Endowment Gifts

Richard and Michelle EllisMr. and Mrs. Paul M. Fleetwood, IIIWilliam and Gayle FisherDon Norwood

Family to Family Program Sponsors: Kulynych Family FoundationL. B. Lane Family Foundation

Supporting MembersPhilanthropistAnonymous

President’s CircleBuck and Helgi Shuford

AngelBernhard and Christine DeutschAndy and Kari ReeseJoyce CorbettJohn and Eileen LeachEric and Jennifer MeredithPope and Peggy ShufordCharles and Mickey ShufordBarnes & Noble Booksellers for BookFairNancy B.Thomas

Stellar SocietyScott and Renee TorreyMr. and Mrs. Boyd L. GeorgeMrs. Pauline ShookMr. and Mrs. Jon GiomettiDr. and Mrs. Mark AndersonLarry and Beth BowmanJack and Alice BrinkleyHarold and Jennifer DufourMargaret C. EdwardsJeff and Melissa ShronceJohn and Diane TeeterHambrick Memorial Foundation, Inc.Erik JordanJohn and Jane Roby

BenefactorTodd and Pam PropstPaul and Martha FoglemanTim and Julia AllenJ. Don and Toni ColemanMargaret EleyDr. and Mrs. Brian P. HearonBernie and Mary OyaasDr. and Mrs. R. Bruce StevensTim and Jennifer ClineDrs. John and Lena EldridgeJohn GoodellDolan and Betty HuffmanPeter and Kelley HurleyMr. and Mrs. Russell IsenhourLandon and Nila LaneDr. and Mrs. Joel B. MillerStephen Neuville and Jane ShulerMrs. Margery OwsleyWayne and Joyce PowellMatthew and Elizabeth RogersMark and Thea SinclairStephen and Barbara ThomasRobert and Erika ToonDr. and Mrs. Robert VerhelleMrs. George Lyerly, Jr.Drs. James and Lynne LichtensteinPaul and Marie MartinoThe Service League Of Hickory

PatronNancy G. AlluredJim and Sue BrownellDr. and Mrs. Rick DavisRoxanna McDermottDean and Brenda ProctorJimmy and Joyce SpencerRobert and Karen VollingerRobert and Beth WarmuthDr. and Mrs. Lee Young, IIIGlenn and Beverly BargerRichard and Corinne BoyensDr. and Mrs. Paul CaporossiAnne MitchellAlbert KeiserDr. and Mrs. Nicholas FrankelWhite and Gail IddingsRon and Vickie LivingstonGeorge and Carolyn MoretzAlice DavidsonSteve and Sue DobbinsJack F. MacMillan, Sr.Lee M. McDowDave and Libby PrestwoodCharles and Ann AmannGary and Machell AppleJason and Cheryl ArnoldMichael BaretskyDaniel and Kitty BarnesJerome and Linda BolickGary and Joyce BostonMrs. Jane BushDr. and Mrs. Dave CaldwellDixon Mitchell and Lisa CaporossiW. L. Cauble, Jr.Mark and Gina CovingtonJay and Mary Ann CraneMr. and Mrs. Frank Deal, Jr.Bryan and Crystal deBettencourtLynda DeHartEverette DellingerMark and Jill DeVriesCharles D. DixonLeila DoughtonDr. and Mrs. George E. EnnisDennis and Kim FlowersSalvador and Victoria GarciaEd and Jane GavinJohnny Dy and Christine GettyDr. and Mrs. C. J. GoodwinDr. and Mrs. Richard M. GriffinRobert and Nancy HallEric and Anna HallSidney and Geri HalmaRoderick and Faye HargroveCarrie HarrisonMark and Stella HawkinsMichael Grobleski and Anne HillJames and Kathryn HodgesMr. and Mrs. W. George HuffmanDr. and Mrs. Joseph Inglefield

Frances InscoeKeith and Lynn JohnsonHeather and Patrick JoynerLeroy and Lynn LailDr. Thomas and Dr. Mary LesserBrian and Michele LoyPastor and Mrs. Greg ManserAnne MasonEric and Athena MaurKevin and Amber McIntoshLamar and Chrisanne MitchellDr. and Mrs. Thomas MooreChris and Bonnie MorenTed and Jennifer MoretzCharles and Sarah MoretzMrs. Christine NealJohn and Beverly NelsonPeter and Ann NelsonJeff Neuville and Michele FrancoisFoyle and Tracie PerkinsDr. and Mrs. Robert Pierce, Jr.Mark RobinsonGene Rozea and Carol WraightBrett and Amanda SainJesse and Marty SalwenGuy and Elizabeth ScronceDanny and Elaine SeaverAlex and Misa ShufordChristopher and Marian StoryMr. and Mrs. Robert Tate, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. W. C. UpchurchPaul and Marion WaldonMichael and Lisa WebberRobert and Townes WesselsBeverly WhiteJames and Catherine WhitworthRobert and Ruby WylyMarcus and Kirsten BakerJosh & Beth CochraneBrad & Rikki ConnorRama Donepudi and Stephanie LindsayJohn & Jane EarlRichard and Michelle EllisStephen and Crystal EllisCarson and Jessica FinneyWilliam and Gayle FisherDesmond and Cheryl ForsheyJeremy and Amy GuyerKeith & Jennifer HarperRandy and Elissa HarrellBryan & Kathryn JonesJames and Tina KubaMark and Jennifer MarshallDavid and Jennifer MelonJeff and Stacey MullisDr. and Mrs. John L. OrchardBill and Sherry PittsXan PilgrimHelen W. Brigham and Mary TerryBilly & Katherine TruittJohn and Shawna Wilson

On the SALT Block243 Third Avenue NEHickory, NC 28601

CatawbaScience.org828/322-8169