Our Space

Welcome to the Horizons Hub – our most flexible space! Designed to accommodate large school groups, professional development sessions, hands-on learning experiences, community events, and more, this versatile room adapts to meet the needs of any program or audience.

The Living Room is another of our versatile spaces which can accommodate a variety of activities. This room offers entrance to our vibrant rainforest environment, as well as providing space for many of our hands-on field trip experiences.

Step into the Animal Room and explore an array of species living both on land and in water! Get up close with our animal ambassadors while learning about habitats, food webs, and the role of biodiversity in healthy ecosystems. This interactive space brings the wonders of the natural world right into the classroom.

Have you ever heard of a rainforest right outside of Charlotte? Our indoor rainforest supports a wide range of vegetation types and demonstrates different aspects of the rainforest ecosystem, such as the importance of tree canopy. This artificial humid environment includes a raging waterfall and life-like rock structures.

Built in Southern Rowan County in 1847, this schoolhouse educated children in the area for 50 years. One-room schooling housed multiple students from every grade level in the same building and operated for only 2-3 months each year. In partnership with the Rowan Museum, the Setzer School is used as a resource for public programming. Students have a chance to compare their school experiences with Setzer's and explore which inventions and societal freedoms have changed since the mid-19th century.

This outdoor space offers a relaxing spot for students and teachers to enjoy lunch, recharge, and connect with nature during their visit to Horizons Unlimited.

Since 1968, the Planetarium has been enthralling audiences with images of our neighborhood, the night sky, and the universe. In our 30-foot planetarium, a 4K laser fisheye projector and Digital SkyBox system from Digitalis display images and shows ranging from Earth to the outer reaches of space, creating a multisensory experience. Whether a curious first-time visitor or a seasoned stargazer, our planetarium offers an unforgettable journey through the cosmos right here in our community.

Put on your safety goggles and lab coat; it’s time to dive into hands-on learning in our Science Lab! Whether you're digging into soil investigations, mastering dissection techniques, or exploring microscopic organisms, this flexible lab space supports a wide range of scientific exploration. Seating up to 60 students, our science lab is equipped with lab tables, stereoscopes, and chairs, making it the perfect environment for any lab investigation of any age!

Explore our nature trail! Where students can observe local ecosystems up close and connect with the natural world. This 34-acre outdoor learning space offers opportunities for exploration, observation, and reflection, and connects to the larger Catawba College Nature Preserve. *To improve your future hiking experience, our nature trails are temporarily closed for maintenance and clearing. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our outdoor spaces beautiful and safe!