Ready to spark your curiosity? UNC Charlotte, sponsor of SHOUT!’s Ideas track, has curated a series of FREE interactive experiences designed to make you think, explore, and discover. Over the final two weekends of the festival, head to the Dubois Center and First Ward Park for hands-on science, robotics demos, art-making, storytelling, documentary screenings, performances, and nature exploration for all ages.
From bats and rockets to circus arts and sustainability prototypes, this is your chance to experience innovation and creativity in action — all in one of SHOUT!’s most vibrant hubs.
👉 Explore the full UNC Charlotte Ideas Itinerary and plan your visit!
🌱 Saturday, April 11 – Explore science, nature, and discovery in First Ward Park
🦇 BITE – UNC Charlotte Bats
🕛 12:00 – 2:30 PM | First Ward Park
Meet the fascinating bats of North Carolina and learn how these nighttime creatures help our ecosystem thrive.
🚀 The SkyRoCKeT Study
🕛 12:00 – 5:00 PM | First Ward Park
Dive into hands-on exploration and research demonstrations that bring science concepts to life in unexpected ways.
🌱 Saturday, April 18 – Innovation, storytelling, art, and performance — all in one afternoon
🤖 LIMO Robot Demonstration
🕛 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Dubois Center
See robotics in action as UNC Charlotte showcases cutting-edge autonomous technology.
🌱 “Eco Dome” Prototype
🕛 12:00 – 1:30 PM | First Ward Park
Explore sustainable design and environmental innovation through this interactive prototype experience.
📖 Nuevas Raíces (Oral Histories)
🕧 12:30 – 1:30 PM | Dubois Center
Listen to powerful personal stories celebrating culture, identity, and community connections.
🤝 Learn About Your Neighborhood: Quality of Life Explorer Demos
🕛 12:00 – 3:00 PM | Dubois Center Lobby
Explore Charlotte through data with live demos of the Quality of Life Explorer, an interactive tool that reveals insights about local neighborhoods. Learn how maps and community data help tell the story of how Charlotte grows and changes.
🎨 CHArts Mobile Studio
🕛 12:00 – 5:00 PM | 8th Street in First Ward Park
Step inside a traveling creative studio and experiment with art-making activities for all ages.
🎬 The Untold Story of Black Librarians (Documentary)
🕜 1:30 – 3:30 PM | Dubois Center
Discover an important and often overlooked chapter of history through this compelling documentary screening.
🎪 Nouveau Sud Circus Project Performance
🕑 2:00 – 3:00 PM | First Ward Park
Experience contemporary circus arts blending storytelling, movement, and breathtaking performance.
💪 Sunday, April 19 – Creativity, wellness, and nature exploration
🖨️ Marble Leather Printing
🕑 2:00 – 3:30 PM | First Ward Park
Try a unique artistic process combining texture, color, and printmaking techniques.
💪 Health & Fitness Assessments for Youth
🕒 3:00 – 4:30 PM | First Ward Park
Fun, supportive assessments designed to help young participants learn about movement, health, and wellness.
🐦 Discover Uptown’s Birds
🕞 3:30 – 4:30 PM | First Ward Park
Join a guided exploration to learn about the birds that call Uptown Charlotte home.