Your Monthly News & Updates | | |
Our Mission
To ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world.
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SUMMER ADVENTURE
Summer Adventure is back! Now until July 26th you can visit Roper Mountain Tuesday-Saturday between 10AM-4PM with the last entry at 3:00pm. While you’re here you can encounter our traveling exhibit “Wild Kratts: Creature Powers!”, feed the butterflies in our Butterfly Encounter, visit the outdoor dinosaur trails including the multiple play areas, discover the Living History Farm, pet a stingray in the Marine Lab, and so much more!
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FRIDAY STARRY NIGHTS
Fueled by Fluor
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Friday Starry Nights
Earth, Moon & Sun
June 6th, 13th, 20th,
and 27th
4:30 p.m.
Details and Tickets
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Friday Starry Nights
Oasis in Space
June 6th, 13th, 20th,
and 27th
6:00 p.m.
Details and Tickets
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Friday Starry Nights
James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds
June 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th
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. | | | | |
STEM DAYS OF SUMMER
Joining us for Summer Adventure? Be sure to check out STEM Days of Summer while you’re here. Fridays beginning June 13th we’ll be joined by Community Partners to showcase various STEM activities encouraging visitors to learn more about what they do each day.
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SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES STILL AVAILABLE!
Time is running out to be part of this NEW experience at Roper Mountain! We have a few spots remaining in our 3-week Rockets and Rovers Camp! This camp is perfect for those who love Roper Mountain, Summer Explorations Camp, and space! Rockets and Rovers is in collaboration with the Aldrin Family Foundation and is perfect for students who have completed grades 5, 6, or 7 at all skill levels-no prior experience is required!
For detailed information, see our Camp Guide or Register Here.
| | ROPER MOUNTAIN ANNIVERSARY | | |
The Dream Takes Shape
By 1984, Roper Mountain Science Center was gaining momentum. Director Darrell Harrison had quickly proven himself a visionary leader, and with community leader Minor Shaw heading the newly formed RMSC Association Board—made up of Greenville’s most respected business and philanthropic figures—the long-standing dream of the Center was ready to become reality.
Harrison understood it would take time to fund the proposed observatory and classroom building, so he pivoted toward a more immediate goal: the creation of a Pioneer Farm. This would not only draw the public to Roper Mountain but also build support and interest in the Center’s larger vision.
The project gained significant backing. The Junior League of Greenville donated $30,000, and the Jolley Foundation added another $40,000. Sam Zimmerman, Chairman of the Greenville County Historical Society, helped secure five historic log structures, which were relocated to the mountain. This was the beginning of what would become the Living History Farm.
| | Roper Mountain Entrance (1980s) | | |
By May 1985, with the site complete and interpreters in period costume ready to demonstrate 1800s life, the Living Pioneer Farm opened to the public. During the May 26 ribbon-cutting, Harrison described the farm as “more than a historical record,” but a lens through which to explore our ancestors’ understanding of science—chemistry, physics, animal husbandry, and more. The opening drew a large crowd, complete with bluegrass music, trade demos, and Nature Trail tours. Senator Strom Thurmond, unable to attend, sent a telegram predicting Roper Mountain would become “one of the most valuable learning tools of its type in the nation.”
Forty years later, his words have proven prophetic. Roper Mountain Science Center continues to blend science and history in powerful ways, pursuing its mission “to be a pinnacle of innovative learning, an engine for community engagement, and a national leader in science education.
| | Cole Cabin Under Construction | Opening Day Crowds, May 26th, 1985 | | |
New Show, New Format!
When we were awarded Fluor’s “Golf for Greenville” grant last fall, we upgraded our system to a new, state-of-the-art digital system with so many more capabilities. This upgrade also came with a new feature show, and it is time to debut…. “James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds!”
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What is very unique about this show is that it is an all “live” show. If you’ve been to one of our Starry Night programs, you know the format: we begin with a “live” sky talk where we show some current things in the night sky, then we play a feature film. This James Webb show is ALL live. The presenter will spend the entire show time talking to you about the telescope while showing breathtaking images and videos. This format allows for more interaction because you, the audience, will be able to make predictions and ask questions throughout the program.
We think you’re going to love this new format and if so, we want to continue experimenting with it for our 7:30 Starry Night shows in the future. First, though, we’ll need to know what you think! “James Webb Space Telescope: The Story Unfolds” will be the 7:30 Starry Night show in all of June and July 11 (and likely in August as well). Please come check out our new show and tell us what you think!
Details and Tickets
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“Laser Days” Return!
Our ever-popular “Laser Days of Summer” return! The last two Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in July will be our annual Laser Days of Summer hosted in the Hooper Planetarium. Come see some of your favorite bands and artists set to vibrant laser images! This year we have some returning favorites, such as Pink Floyd, Queen, The Beatles, and Taylor Swift (with a BRAND NEW playlist!). We’ve also added some new sounds – Seattle Sound, Def Leppard, and Laser Classic Hits. You won’t want miss these shows! For the schedule, tickets, and frequently asked questions, check out our website!
Details and Tickets
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Do You Know or remember any of our past animals used in our natural science lessons and programs through the years? Since 2000, these are just some of the animals that I remember teaching with that we no longer have: our iguanas Iggy and Roper, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, turtle doves, giant millipedes, giant marine toads, argentine horned frogs, leopard geckos, and screech owls. Some of the snakes I remember using are a large bullsnake and yellow rat snake. Of course I can’t forget about Tilly, our Umbrella Cockatoo. Tilly was captured in someone's backyard, probably an escapee, and given to Roper Mountain years ago and now lives with staff member Kyle Rollins at his house.
| | Cathy Taylor, my wife, was a part-time instructor here in the 1990’s, remembers working with an opossum, skunk, flying squirrel, and sugar glider. She remembers teaching with the flying squirrel in her naturalist vest pocket and it climbing in and out during field trip lessons. During that time also, a bat named Slick was part of the educational animal collection. | | |
Cat Monaghan, our animal caretaker from 1993 - 2017, recalls working with these animals in our Hall of Natural Science: two big Burmese pythons, a big boa constrictor, and two big 3 - 4 foot alligators that were kept in kiddie pools in the greenhouse before its was converted to our rainforest.
As Roper celebrates our 40 year Anniversary, recall the animals that have been a highlight of your visits here at Roper Mountain Science Center and be thankful for our animal caretakers, past and present.
By Tim Taylor, Roper Mountain Natural Science Specialist
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This month, we recognize the Greenville Master Gardeners for all they do to make our Butterfly Garden beautiful. Not only do they provide financial support for new plants, they also devote hundreds of hours each month to help maintain the garden. Their support makes it possible for us to provide habitats for pollinators and create beautiful spaces for our visitors.
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We also want to welcome back ABB as a Community Partner. Their investment supports our student learning labs with funds for new supplies and equipment that make our field trips second to none! Thank you, ABB and Greenville Master Gardeners 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.
| | 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
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
Bannon Foundation
Brian Cauthen
John R. and M Margrite Davis Foundation
HDR, Inc.
Moons Drug Store
ScanSource Charitable Foundation
The Timken Company
Upcountry Fiber Foundation
Vulcan Materials Company
Innovator:
Broad River Electric Charities
Fairway Subaru
Greenville Master Gardeners
Bonnie Jilek
Carla Rivero-Olson and Eric Olson
Piedmont Natural Gas
Publix Super Market Charities
| | We welcome your feedback. Email Roper Mountain to share your thoughts. | | | | |
