Each spring, as Fayetteville joins communities across North Carolina in celebrating science, one event continues to stand out as a favorite for families: the Super Science Fun Fest. Hosted by Fascinate-U Children’s Museum, the annual event is now in its 13th year and has become a signature celebration of hands-on learning in the community. Designed to spark curiosity and excitement, the festival brings together children, families and local organizations for a day filled with interactive experiments and engaging science experiences.
This year, the festival will be held during the Dogwood Festival at Festival Park on April 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Super Science Fun Fest is free.
“The Super Science Fun Fest is one of our signature events,” Amanda Jekel, executive director of Fascinate-U and organizer of the event, shared. “It’s a high-energy celebration of science designed to spark curiosity and excitement in children and families.”
The event was intended to bring the community together around exploration and discovery, as it was originally created to align with April’s designation as the Month of Science. Over time, it has grown into a vibrant festival featuring a wide variety of science themes and activities. At its core, the event reflects the mission of Fascinate-U, which encourages children to learn through hands-on, curiosity-driven experiences.
“Kids are actively experimenting, asking questions and discovering how things work in a fun, engaging way,” Jekel explained. “It’s about sparking that sense of wonder and giving them opportunities to explore, create and learn in ways that stay with them.”
The Super Science Fun Fest is also part of the statewide North Carolina Science Festival, connecting Fayetteville to a larger celebration of innovation and education.
“Being part of the statewide festival is incredibly meaningful,” Jekel said. “It allows us to bring a high-quality, accessible science experience to local families while also being part of something much bigger happening across the state.”
This year’s event features a wide range of hands-on activities designed to engage children of all ages. In celebration of Earth Day, families can create wildflower seed balls, design imaginative insects and examine preserved specimens up close. Guests can also learn from beekeepers and wildlife experts, offering a closer look at the natural world. For those ready to experiment, the festival includes larger-than-life activities such as creating giant bubbles, building model spacecraft and designing chain reactions that combine creativity with problem-solving.
“These experiences are designed to be both fun and educational,” Jekel said. “They encourage kids to think critically while enjoying the process of discovery.”
A key element of the event’s success is its collaboration with local organizations and STEM professionals.
“These partnerships allow us to offer a wider variety of activities and give children the opportunity to interact with professionals right here in their community,” Jekel said. “It makes learning more engaging and more relevant.”
The downtown setting adds to the energy of the day. This year’s event will be held at Festival Park and will coincide with the Dogwood Festival, creating a larger community celebration.
“Being part of a bigger downtown event helps us reach more families and create more opportunities for engagement,” Jekel said. “It really brings the community together.”
While the festival is a highlight of the year, Fascinate-U continues to promote STEM learning through year-round programming, including Super Science Saturday, Toddler Tuesday Science and the Little Beakers Pre-K program.
“I think hands-on science experiences are so important because they turn learning into something active and memorable,” Jekel said. “When children can touch, build and experiment, they’re able to truly understand what they’re learning.”
Ultimately, the goal of the Super Science Fun Fest is to inspire curiosity and confidence.
“We hope children and families walk away feeling excited about science,” Jekel said. “If a child leaves wanting to ask ‘why’ or explore something new, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
For families who have not yet visited Fascinate-U at 116 Green St., the event offers a glimpse into what makes the museum special, a place where science, creativity and imagination come together. Families can learn more at www.fascinate-u.com or follow Fascinate-U on social media for updates on events and programs.

(Photo: Children learn about bubbles during a Fascinate U Children's Museum Super Science Fun Fest. Photo courtesy of Fascinate-U Children's Museum Facebook page)