Your Monthly News & Updates | |
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Our Mission
To ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.
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AFTERNOON EXPLORATIONS
closed January 2nd and 3rd
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!
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Get a jump start and mark these Afternoon Explorations Special Event Days in your calendar:
- Scales and Tails : January 17th
- For the Love of STEM: February 14th
- Earth Day Celebration: April 17th
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Afternoon Explorations will be closed during the Greenville County Schools Winter break, December 21st-January 7th. We look forward to welcoming you back for our first Afternoon Explorations in the new year on January 9th. | |
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. | |
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PLANETARIUM UPDATE
When the planetarium upgraded its software in August, we realized it was time to also make some upgrades to our lobby. Our first big upgrade is our new reading nook! Our younger readers can spend some time perusing our space-themed books while their older siblings play the more advanced games that are already in the lobby. We’re seeing children of all ages enjoy lounging in the star chairs while snuggling up to a planet pillow and/or celestial buddy!
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The second big change is in our hallway – we’ve gone ultraviolet! We’ve added some ultraviolet lights along with a glow-in-the-dark space rug (think a skating rink circa 1990s). We hung UV-reactive tapestries on the walls that display various space images such as a galaxy or nebula. We also commissioned Sarah Basso, a local artist, to take our existing hallway pictures and make those reactive to ultraviolet light.
The next time you are in the planetarium, make sure you check out these fun changes!
What’s next for the planetarium? We’ve got a brand-new show we’re preparing to debut for Starry Nights this summer! We won’t say any more now but here are some hints: Infrared, Honeycomb, and Exploration. Stay tuned for more details because this will definitely be a show you won’t want to miss!
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GIVING TUESDAY UPDATE
Thanks to your support we raised over $24,000 on Giving Tuesday, exceeding our goal! A special thanks to our donors, Dr. Jeff Lawson and Anne Lathem for their generous matching contributions.
Funds raised will be used to bring a new piranha exhibit for Harrison Hall for the Summer of 2025!
We thank you again for your support and joining us on this global day of giving and generosity.
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SUMMER 2025 CAMPS!
We are hard at work planning for next summer’s camps! We expect the camp guide to be online on our website no later than February 1st.
Members only online registration begins Tuesday, March 11th at 7:00am.
Public registration begins Thursday, March 13th at 8:00am.
Upgrade your membership to CREATOR or ORIGINATOR level for access to our special Concierge ONSITE registration days on Tuesday 3/4 and Wednesday 3/5. Creator members may register for up to 6 total camps per family on Concierge registration days. Originator members may register for unlimited camps during the Concierge period. Creator and Originator memberships are good for one year of Concierge camp registration. Upgrade your membership on our website here: https://www.ropermountain.org/pages.asp?titleid=membership.
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Do You Know that in our Marine Lab you can find some of our South Carolina state symbols? Search for these state symbols in our marine lab as you reminisce back to warmer days: Bottlenose Dolphin, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and our Palmetto Tree | |
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South Carolina designated the Bottlenose dolphin as the official state marine mammal in 2009. Look for the Bottlenose dolphin frolicking in the waves behind our boat. These dolphins have a unique feeding behavior mostly observed in South Carolina. To catch fish, they “strand feed” where they rush the mudflat, creating waves to stand fish at low tide.
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The Loggerhead Sea Turtle was designated our state reptile in 1988 and have been classified as threatened since 1978 under the Endangered Species Act. The Loggerhead is the most common sea turtle to nest along our S.C. beaches. These turtles usually return to the same beach areas where they were born. They are named for their large heads and powerful jaws. Look for the large Loggerhead Sea turtle display that highlights the life history of this large marine reptile. | |
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The Sabal palm was designated as our official state tree in 1939. This palmetto tree symbolized the defeat of the British fleet at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. Fort Moultrie prevailed because it was built from palmetto logs, which absorbed the impact of the cannon balls and would not shatter. Look for the Palmetto tree in the Marine Lab at the edge of the maritime forest mural behind the touch tanks.
By Tim Taylor, Roper Mountain Natural Science Specialist
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This month we feature Lockheed Martin, one of our longest Community Partners, for their continued support for our Science on Wheels outreach scholarship program. Since 2017, over 30,000 students from high need schools and non-profits have received free Science on Wheels programs because of their generous contributions.
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Located in Spartanburg, Contec is one of our newest Community Partners. Their support for our learning labs will enable us to provide interactive, hands-on educational experiences in physical science, engineering, and life and earth science to over 50,000 students at Roper Mountain this school year.
| Thank you Lockheed and Contec for your support, allowing us to fulfill our mission to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world. | |
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Members: If you are unable to attend your scheduled Starry Nights showtime, please contact us at 864-355-0805 by 2:00pm Friday so your reserved seats can be made available to other patrons.
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!
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Spark Good
Walmart recently launched Walmart Spark Good Round Up where customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the change to their favorite charity. We would love for you to choose Roper Mountain Science Center as your charity to receive these donations every time you shop on Walmart.com. Just select us from the drop down menu when you checkout!
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Give Back to Roper Mountain
We appreciate your consideration in making a donation to support our mission to help lay the foundation for future successes for school and public programming.
Make a gift to Roper Mountain today.
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THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS | | |
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Visionary:
BOSCH Community Fund
The Daniel-Mickel Foundation
Dodge Industrial, Inc.
Fluor Foundation
Fluor Golf for Greenville
Greenville Water
Lockheed Martin Corporation
ReWa
South Carolina Farm Bureau
Explorer:
BMW Manufacturing
GE
SEW-EURODRIVE
Voyager:
Audacy Communications
Greenville Federal Credit Union
Milliken & Company
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Adventurer:
ABB
AFL Global
Bank of Travelers Rest
Bannon Foundation
Brian Cauthen
Contec, Inc.
John R. and M Margrite Davis Foundation
HDR
Ryobi Power Tools
South Carolina Charities
TD Charitable Foundation
Upcountry Fiber Foundation
Vulcan Materials Company
Innovator:
Broad River Electric Charities
Greenville Master Gardeners
Kay and Les Knight
Koops, Inc.
Carla and Brian Olson
Piedmont Natural Gas
Publix Super Market Charities
ScanSource Charitable Foundation
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We welcome your feedback. Email Roper Mountain to share your thoughts. | | | | |
