March 2026

Your Monthly News & Updates

Our Mission

To ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Afternoon Explorations is open every Thursday and Friday from 1:30PM-5:00PM (last entry at 4:00PM) During each visit you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of your favorite parts of Roper Mountain including Environmental Science Building, Harrison Hall, the Living History Farm, Pirate Playground, and so much more!


Afternoon Explorations will be closed on March 19th and 20th for Greenville County Schools Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming you back on March 26th.


Mark your calendars for the Earth Day Celebration on April 17th!


Pi Day Party 


Join us for an evening of adult fun, hands-on STEM demonstrations, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and pie (of course!) at our annual Pi Day Party! The event will be held at the Environmental Science Building and is formulated by Roper Mountain Science Center Association (RMSCA) in support of the region’s foremost Science Center focusing on STEM education for our children.




The Pi Day Auction opens Tuesday, March 3 at 8 pm and ends at 8 pm on Wednesday, March 11th. We have some great items available, including a private Taylor Swift laser showing, so take a look and Happy Bidding, 2026 Pi Day Auction!

FRIDAY STARRY NIGHTS

Fueled by Fluor

Legends of the 
Night Sky: Orion

March 6, 13, 27
4:30 p.m.

Details and Tickets  

Experience 
the Aurora

March 6, 13, 27

6:00 p.m.

Details and Tickets  

Deep Space

Discoveries

March 6, 13, 27

7:30 p.m.

Details and Tickets  

Members: If you are unable to attend your scheduled showtime, please contact us at 864-355-0805 by 2:00pm Friday so your reserved seats can be made available to other patrons.

MOUNTAIN UPDATES

Science on Wheels

Get ready for a summer of hands-on discovery with Roper Mountain Science on Wheels! Our exciting programs bring the wonder of science directly to your community. From exploring critters that call the coast home to investigating the magic of science, people of all ages can dive into engaging activities and eye-opening demonstrations all designs to spark curiosity and a lifelong love of learning and science.


Don't miss the chance to experience science in action this summer, wherever you are!

SUMMER 2026 CAMPS

The 2026 Camp Guide is now available. 

Click here to download your copy.


Members only online registration begins Tuesday, March 10th at 7:00am.

Public registration begins Thursday, March 12th at 8:00am.




We recommend testing your access no later than Thursday, March 5th so we can assist you with any issues before camp registration begins.

 

Test Your Access to Camp Registration at this link:

Member Log-In Test


For tips to navigate camp registration and answers to other common question, see our Summer Camp FAQs here RMSC Summer Camp Information.

ROPER MOUNTAIN 40th ANNIVERSARY

Bill Bradshaw: Expanding Public Engagement at Roper Mountain (2003–2010)

 

When Bill Bradshaw became Director of Roper Mountain Science Center in 2003, he brought decades of leadership experience in the science museum field, most recently as Executive Director of the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. His background in public science institutions influenced the Center’s next phase of growth, particularly in the areas of community engagement, thematic programming, and strategic partnerships.

 

One of the most noticeable developments during Bradshaw’s tenure involved the evolution of Second Saturday public events. He recognized the opportunity to elevate these programs by featuring guest speakers and specialized acts that would draw broader audiences. Nationally recognized shows such as Tom Noddy’s Bubble Magic, Ron Comer’s Snakes Alive and Lee Ognibene’s Bug Road Show attracted visitors who had not previously attended events at Roper Mountain.

 

Through partnerships with local media outlets that sponsored programs and promoted Second Saturdays, awareness of the Center expanded significantly. For many in the community, these events provided their first introduction to The Mountain.

 

Bradshaw’s tenure also saw the introduction of large-scale public programs that connected science with cultural storytelling. Events such as Walking Through Time with Indiana Jones and Star Wars: Science, Myth, and Imagination drew record-breaking crowds. These programs demonstrated that popular culture could provide an effective entry point into scientific and historical exploration. They also set new expectations for coordination across departments, as activities throughout the campus aligned around a unified theme.


Director, Bill Bradshaw

An avid gardener, Bill enjoyed working alongside staff and volunteers to help beautify the grounds of Roper Mountain.

Bradshaw demonstrating the Robotix kits and terrain he created for one of the many camps he enjoyed teaching during the Star Wars event in 2008.

During this period, Bradshaw also spearheaded a major addition to the Harrison Hall of Natural Science by adding a new wing to the rear of the building that featured an Ecology Lab and Marine Lab. These two spaces brought to fruition an idea originally formulated by Darrell Harrison and Greg Cornwell years earlier that would turn the footprint of the Tricentennial Building into a South Carolina habitat that showcased the major ecosystems of the state, from the mountains to the sea. With these two new labs, that idea was accomplished as exhibits between the two rooms feature habitats from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coastal region. Today, they remain two of the most popular spaces at Roper Mountain.

 

Bradshaw also expanded the Summer Science program. Enrollment increased, course offerings diversified, and camps were positioned as intentional extensions of the Center’s instructional mission beyond the academic year. Over time, these camps became among the most competitive and sought-after summer programs in Greenville and across the Upstate.

 

From 2003 to 2010, Bradshaw strengthened Roper Mountain’s visibility in the community, broadened partnerships, invested in infrastructure, and elevated the scale and coordination of public programming. His leadership established a framework for sustained growth that shaped the Center’s trajectory in the years that followed.

MOUNTAIN HIGHLIGHT

Living History Farm

This summer, the Roper Mountain Science Center’s Living History Farm will join communities across the country in celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with hands-on, family-friendly experiences that bring the 18th and 19th centuries to life. Visitors can step into our authentic cabins, barn, and one room schoolhouse that show what daily life looked like in early South Carolina, where volunteers demonstrate traditional skills and invite children to try them for themselves. It’s a chance to slow down, get curious, and see how ordinary farm families shaped extraordinary history.


Families visiting the farm can sign their names with a quill on a replica of the Declaration of Independence, dress up in period clothing for photos, and try their hand at spy codes and ciphers inspired by Revolutionary-era messages. Younger visitors can help with simple chores, play old-fashioned games, or listen to stories about farm life during the founding years of our nation. Whether you’re cracking secret codes, practicing careful penmanship, or imagining life in a one-room schoolhouse, the Living History Farm offers a joyful way to celebrate America’s 250th—together, outdoors, and with plenty of room for wonder.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

This month's Volunteer Spotlight goes to the amazing Caroline Belcher! Caroline began volunteering in 2021 and has held many volunteer and intern roles, from Animal Care, to Summer Camps, and Education! We asked her a few questions and here's what Caroline had to say about her time at Roper Mountain! 


What made you want to start volunteering at Roper Mountain?

I started volunteering at Roper Mountain because of my love for science throughout my childhood. When I was looking for both extracurriculars and ways to keep me busy after my freshman year of high school, Roper Mountain was the clear choice. Having the opportunity to hold and gain experience with different animals while also educating both kids and adults nurtured my passion for science in a way no other place could. 


Did volunteering help you when deciding your future career?


Roper Mountain has given me great insight into what I would like to do in the future. I am a current biology major in college with a chemistry and one health minor. Roper Mountain really helped me decide to pick the one heath minor as it is studying the approach of recognizing the connection between human, animal, and environmental health. Although I want to pursue PA school, Roper Mountain has made me want to continue to study my love for animals and natural science.


How have you grown from your volunteer and intern roles?


I began volunteering at Roper Mountain the summer after my freshman year of high school. I am now a sophomore in college and still maintain my relationship with Roper Mountain. I interned both my senior year of high school and last summer. My time both volunteering and interning has not only given me a resume boost, but also valuable skills including communication, leadership, and the ability to work well in a team. I cannot emphasize enough all that my time at Roper Mountain has provided me. It is the thing that makes me so excited for summer every year! 

We are so proud of Caroline as we have watched her grow from a young volunteer that was afraid to handle snakes, to a confident and knowledgeable young woman that has excelled in the dreams that she has decided to chase. We are so happy that Caroline has been a part of our Roper Mountain family and it has helped her achieve her dreams. Enjoy these two pictures, one from when she first started volunteering in 2021 and the other from last summer. That smile says it all!


If you or someone you know (age 14 and above) are interested in volunteering at Roper Mountain this summer, please apply on our website, RMSC Volunteer. 


We also have two college internships available listed under our employment opportunities page on our website, here: RMSC Internship

Reach out to Ashley Zalabak with questions! azalabak@greenville.k12.sc.us 

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

This month we recognize Lockheed and BMW Manufacturing for their continued support for Roper Mountain.

Since 2018, Lockheed has provided funding for free Science on Wheels outreach programs for schools that serve high poverty communities, with over 30,000 students receiving free programming thanks to their support.

BMW Manufacturing, another long time Community Partner, has provided support for our programming and has been an active participant in our STEM Days of Summer program, fascinating both children and adults with their amazing hands-on STEM activities.

Thank you, Lockheed and BMW, for your continued support for Roper Mountain, helping us fulfill our mission to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world!

MEMBERSHIP

 

Members receive 10% off all t-shirt and hat purchases. Mention that you are a member to receive your discount.


PLUS earn an additional 25 points each time you wear your t-shirt to Nature Exchange!

 

SUPPORT THE MOUNTAIN

Give Back to Roper Mountain

Help Roper Mountain continue to inspire learning and create unforgettable experiences with a donation! Visit our Donors Page to make your gift today.

Spread The Word About Roper Mountain 

Visit our Facebook page, TripAdvisor page, Google listing and/or Yelp page to leave a review and help us spread the word about our public and school programming.

THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS

 

Visionary:

Dodge Industrial, Inc.

Duke Energy

Fluor Foundation

Fluor Golf for Greenville

Lockheed Martin Corporation


Explorer:

BMW Manufacturing
BOSCH Community Fund

GE Vernova


Voyager:

Greenville Federal Credit Union

Milliken & Company

 

Adventurer:

AFL Global

Arthrex Charitable Foundation

Carolina Power

John R. and M Margrite Davis Foundation

Greenville Water

HDR Foundation

ReWa

ScanSource Charitable Foundation

SEW-EURODRIVE

Jerry and Kathryn Smith


Innovator:

ABB

Fairway Subaru

Greenville Master Gardeners

Bonnie Jilek

Carla Rivero-Olson and Eric Olson

Piedmont Natural Gas

Publix Super Market Charities

The Timken Company

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

We welcome your feedback. Email Roper Mountain to share your thoughts.

 
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