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
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!
Get a jump start and mark your calendar for our next Afternoon Explorations Special Event on Earth Day on April 17th!
Afternoon Explorations will be closed during the Greenville County Schools Spring break, March 17th-21st. Please join us again on March 27th!
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FRIDAY STARRY NIGHTS
Fueled by Fluor | |
Starry Nights will be closed on March 21st for GCS Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming you back with a NEW line up after the break. | |
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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PI DAY PARTY AND AUCTION
The Pi Day Party is an annual adult only fundraising event hosted by the Roper Mountain Science Center Association in support of Roper Mountain Science Center, the region’s foremost Science Center providing STEM education for students of all ages.
Join us for an evening of fun, hands-on STEM demonstrations, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and pie (of course!) on Tuesday, March 11 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm in our Environmental Science Building. This year’s event will feature an online auction, open to all friends of Roper Mountain, even if you cannot attend the event in person!
For more information and to register for the Pi Day Party, click here:
Pi Day Party Registration.
We hope to see you there!
The Pi Day Auction opens Monday, March 3 at 8 pm and ends at 8 pm on Tuesday, March 11th. We have some great items available, including a private Taylor Swift laser showing, so take a look and Happy Bidding!
Pi Day Party Silent Auction
For more information, contact Phyllis Henderson at pjhenderson@greenville.k12.sc.us
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ROPER MOUNTAIN ANNIVERSARY | |
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A Bold Vision for the Piedmont Exposition Park
In 1974, the School District of Greenville County acquired the 62-acre site of the former Piedmont Exposition Center on Roper Mountain with the stipulation that it be used only for educational purposes. Inspired by a visit to the Fernbank Science Center in Georgia, a committee of educators, community leaders, and architects that had been assembled by Superintendent Floyd J. Hall, began envisioning what Roper Mountain could become.
By 1976, a master plan was developed for what was called the Roper Mountain Environmental Science Center designed by local architect William "Bill" Davis. The plan outlined the development of several key facilities: a horticulture building, planetarium, and a complete renovation and enclosure of the former Tricentennial Building for use as a classroom and exhibit space. Since a director had yet to be chosen, the facility fell under the direction of the District Science Consultant, Willie Whittaker, Jr.
Whittaker played a pivotal role in advancing the project, securing a $600,000 federal grant for the horticulture building's construction and an additional $50,000 grant to develop nature trails and landscaping. Between 1975 and 1977, these trails began taking shape, laying the groundwork for immersive outdoor learning experiences.
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The Dream Takes Root
As plans continued to develop, Dr. Hall turned to Virginia Uldrick, the visionary behind Greenville’s Fine Arts Center, to serve also as the acting director of the budding science center. Using her well-placed connections and notoriety in the community, Uldrick and Dr. Hall combined their efforts to solicit funding for the burgeoning center. Their determination paid off when they met with Robert "Bob" Wilson, a successful local businessman and education advocate. Wilson, owner of the Barbeque King restaurant and inventor of the world’s first rotisserie oven, committed $250,000 to fund the construction of an amphitheater and a cutting-edge sound system, a gift that catalyzed the project’s momentum.
On April 4, 1979, the Wilson Amphitheater became the first completed facility on Roper Mountain, dedicated in a ceremony led by Congressman Carroll Campbell. With seating for up to 1,700 guests, the amphitheater hosted events ranging from concerts to science lectures, signaling the realization of Roper Mountain’s potential.
The opening of the Wilson Amphitheater marked a significant milestone in Roper Mountain’s transformation. It symbolized the community’s belief in the project and paved the way for future developments. While challenges remained, the dream of a world-class science center was no longer just an idea—it was becoming a reality.
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If you have visited Roper Mountain during the summer, you may have noticed that we transform our upstairs classrooms into a traveling exhibit space, which changes every summer. However, after Summer Adventure ends, the doors close and they convert back to classroom spaces. Have you ever wondered what's behind those closed doors during the school year? Well, here's the secret… on any given day, our team of educators may be teaching anyone from 1st graders all the way up to 7th graders, about anything from biomimicry and animal traits to assessing ecosystem health after a mock supervolcano eruption at Yellowstone National Park. A lot of learning and magical moments happen between 9:30 and 1:15pm in those rooms everyday, but we are excited to open them back up to the public this upcoming summer for a Wild Kratts exhibit! The magic of learning and adventure will continue all year round! We hope to see you there! | |
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Do You Know the many types of Eagle Scout service projects that have benefited Roper Mountain Science Center through the years? Here is a list of just some of the construction service projects completed by scouts for Roper as a last requirement to earn their Eagle Scout badge: picnic tables, benches, trail work, garden and farm sheds, fence building, Arbor projects, shelters, animal hutches, etc.
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Some of the unique projects built for Roper as Eagle Scout service projects include our Bird Wall Blind and Pollinator Hotel, led by Eagle Scouts Reed and Evan Howell, sons of staff member Anne Howell. Eric Basso, a staff member in our Symmes Hall of Science, completed his Eagle Scout project, Islands for Plants, in the parking lot in front of Harrison Hall of Natural Science, here as a youth in 2008 (pictured with his project and earning his Eagle Scout Badge).
Eagle scout projects represent the spirit of caring, giving and service to others. A scout must demonstrate leadership through planning and development in completing their project. Only 6 percent of all scouts earn Eagle. The Boy Scouts were founded in 1910 but now is coed and called Scouting America.
The next time you sit on a bench, eat at a picnic table or walk the Dinosaur Trail, Thank our Eagle Scouts!
By Tim Taylor, Life Science Specialist
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Meet Carter! Although if you're a regular at Roper Mountain, you've probably already met him. Carter has been a volunteer since last summer and has continued to help out during the school year. He truly wears many different hats as a volunteer, including handling animals, helping out at Nature Exchange, working the marine lab touch tanks, wrangling chickens down at the Living History Farm, and even dressing up for our special event days. Enjoy this photo of Carter as the Grinch during our Holly Jolly Science event this past year. Carter is always willing to help out in any way that he can and we appreciate him so much! Next time you visit, look for Carter's smiling face to show you around!
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Remember, anyone 14 and over can be a volunteer at Roper Mountain. We will soon be onboarding volunteers for Summer Adventure. Apply on our website or email Ashley Zalabak with questions at azalabak@greenville.k12.sc.us. | |
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This month’s donor spotlight features two of our scholarship sponsors, SEW-EURODRIVE and TD Bank.
SEW-EURODRIVE, located in Spartanburg County, provides scholarship funds for high poverty schools in Spartanburg County to attend a field trip at Roper Mountain free of charge. To date, over 700 students from 7 elementary and middle schools have received free programs thanks to their generous support.
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The TD Bank Charitable Foundation has provided funding for free Science on Wheels programs and admission to Summer Adventure and Summer Planetarium shows for organizations that serve senior citizens. To date, over 500 seniors from organizations such as Senior Action, Mauldin Senior Center and Active Day have received free Science on Wheels programs this school year.
Thank you SEW-EURODRIVE and TD Bank for helping us fulfill our mission to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.
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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:
Arthrex Charitable Foundation
Audacy Communications
Greenville Federal Credit Union
Jeff Lawson
Milliken & Company
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Adventurer:
ABB
AFL Global
Bank of Travelers Rest
Bannon Foundation
Brian Cauthen
John R. and M Margrite Davis Foundation
HDR, Inc.
Moons Drug Store
Ryobi Power Tools
ScanSource Charitable Foundation
TD Charitable Foundation
The Timken Company
Upcountry Fiber Foundation
Vulcan Materials Company
Innovator:
Broad River Electric Charities
Greenville Master Gardeners
Bonnie Jilek
Piedmont Natural Gas
Publix Super Market Charities
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We welcome your feedback. Email Roper Mountain to share your thoughts. | | | | |
