More Than
Science
The importance of in-person interaction and learning through play WRITTEN BY DENA DAW PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
68
MARCH 2022
NESTLED WITHIN Cary’s Saltbox Village Shopping Center sits Science Safari — a boutique science and nature-themed toy store offering hands-on science programs and nature adventures for students starting in pre-K through 5th grade. The store is chock-full of science supplies, unusual and educational toys, an in-store classroom and a variety of animals, including Penelope the python and Chewbacca the chinchilla. Although there’s no doubt that the space is playful and original, the thing that really sets Science Safari apart isn’t its brick and mortar location or the furry and scaly friends who call it home — it’s the owners’ vision and passion for learning that make it truly special. Sean and Siobhan O’Neal are two of the most committed and unique people you will ever meet. Their website, while informative, is missing certain things
Siobhan O’Neal leads a kids’ program on lizards, “relatives of ancient creatures,” from Science Safari’s in-store classroom, where hands-on learning is a big part of the experience.
