Our Mission

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

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 April 3rd, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back next week on April 9th.

Earth Day Special Event

We can't wait to celebrate our planet Earth with you during our last Afternoon Explorations Special Event of the season. Join us on April 17th from 1:30-5:00pm and participate in various Earth-related activities, games and a show focusing on protecting our natural world. Entry to this special event is part if your admission to Afternoon Explorations. Grab your tickets now and we'll see you there!

KPOP HUNTR/X Laser Show

Dive into the high-energy world of Laser K-Pop, a laser show designed to thrill fans of all ages. With dazzling laser effects and electrifying visuals, the pulse-pounding music from the hit K-Pop movie comes to life in a spectacular, unforgettable experience.


April 17th at 4:30PM

FRIDAY STARRY NIGHTS

Fueled by Fluor

One World,

One Sky

April 10 & 24
4:30 p.m.

Details and Tickets  

Two Small Pieces 
of Glass

April 10, 17 & 24
6:00 p.m.

Details and Tickets  

Deep Space

Discoveries

April 10, 17 & 24
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.

Starry Nights will be closed on April 3rd, 2026. We look forward to welcoming you back on April 10th.

Pi Day Success!

The Roper Mountain Science Center Association’s 4th annual Pi Day Party and Auction were held on Tuesday, March 10th, in the Environmental Science Building. Over 150 people attended the event, which featured hands-on science demonstrations from Roper Mountain Staff, music from the Fine Arts Center Jazz Ensemble, great food from Greenville Schools Food and Nutrition Services, and a fabulous online auction featuring over 50 gift packages!



This year’s event raised over $37,000 to support Roper Mountain’s programming, helping us fulfill our mission to ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world. Thanks to all our guests, Association Board members, and sponsors for their support. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

The Man Behind the Mountain: Honoring Chuck Head


Places like Roper Mountain Science Center are often described through their programs, their facilities, or the experiences they provide for students. Visitors remember the observatory, the planetarium, the Living History Farm, and now the Dinosaur Trail. They remember what they saw and what they did. What is less visible, but no less important, is the work required to build and sustain a place like this over time.

Chuck Head and Darrell Harrison sizing up one of many Christmas Trees for a fund-raising event during the early days of Roper Mountain.

That story, in many ways, can be told through the career of Chuck Head.

Chuck was the first person hired by the Center’s founding director, Darrell Harrison, in 1983, at a time when Roper Mountain existed more as a vision than a fully realized campus. The success of that vision depended on people who could take ideas and turn them into something tangible, and Chuck brought exactly the kind of knowledge and ability that was needed. With a background in plumbing and electrical work, along with the ability to operate heavy equipment, he was prepared to do the kind of hands-on work that would define the Mountain’s earliest years.

Chuck and the ferrets whose hutch he just built

One of his first major contributions came through his work on the Living History Farm, the first destination learning space developed on the campus. The buildings that stand there today were not constructed in place; they were carefully located, deconstructed, transported, and reconstructed piece by piece. Chuck played a central role in that process, helping to establish a space that would become foundational to the Center’s programming and identity.

As development continued, his work extended into other defining features of the campus. He assisted with the construction of the Daniel Observatory, including the mounting of the telescope that remains its focal point, and he contributed to the installation of the first projection system in the Hooper Planetarium. These efforts were not isolated tasks, but part of a broader pattern in which Chuck’s work consistently supported the growth and evolution of the Mountain.

Over time, his role as Plant Engineer came to include far more than the upkeep of a 62-acre facility. He became known as someone who could be relied upon when challenges arose, bringing a practical, solution-oriented approach to problems that required both experience and persistence. Across 47 years with Greenville County Schools, he earned the respect of colleagues throughout the Maintenance Operations division, and his ability to connect with others across the district often proved essential in completing complex projects.



Equally important, however, has been the way he has worked alongside others. Chuck is known for his sense of humor and for a willingness to help wherever he is needed, qualities that have shaped not only the work itself but also the culture surrounding it. Those who have worked with him over the years speak not only of what he has accomplished, but of how he has approached the work and the people around him.

That approach remains evident even in recent years. During the installation of two large additions to the Dinosaur Trail, Chuck operated a forklift to help position the structures in place, contributing directly to one of the campus’s newer and increasingly popular learning environments. His ability to operate equipment of that scale has been a consistent factor in the development of the Mountain, from its earliest projects to its most recent additions. When asked about this kind of work, he has expressed a clear enjoyment of being involved in projects where something new is taking shape.

Chuck and Director Michael Weeks discussing the placement of the newest dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Trail

Restringing lights on the Buck Mikel Star

His contributions have also extended into some of the Center’s most visible community events. For more than 25 years, Roper Mountain’s Holiday Lights program drew visitors from across the region. While guests experienced the finished displays, the preparation required a significant amount of work behind the scenes. Chuck played a steady role in that effort, often contributing time beyond regular work hours to assist with both the installation and removal of the displays. When the Buck Mickel Star, standing 95 feet above the Mountain, required maintenance, he was the one who rode the lift to the top to complete the work.

Chuck’s career at Roper Mountain is also part of a broader story. Before joining Greenville County Schools, he served in the United States Navy aboard an aircraft carrier, an experience that helped shape the discipline and work ethic that would define his professional life. Outside of his work on campus, he has been deeply involved in the local stock car racing community for nearly five decades. Known as “Chuck in the Truck,” he has served as a track official at multiple venues, including Anderson Motor Speedway, where he was named a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee in recognition of his long-standing commitment to the sport.

Chuck on the Living History Farm he helped build

Taken together, these experiences reflect a consistent pattern. Whether on a ship, at a racetrack, or on Roper Mountain, Chuck has approached his work with a sense of responsibility and a willingness to contribute wherever needed.



When considering the history of Roper Mountain Science Center, it is natural to focus on its growth, its programs, and the experiences it has provided to generations of students. Yet those elements are inseparable from the people who made them possible. Chuck Head is one of those individuals whose work has been so extensive and so enduring that it is woven into the fabric of the place itself.

After more than four decades of service, his legacy is not confined to a single structure or accomplishment. It can be seen across the entire campus, in the spaces that continue to serve students and in the experiences that continue to inspire them.

Chuck Head will be retiring from Roper Mountain Science Center, April 17th, 2026.

Symmes Hall of Science

Joe Blizzard has been working with powerful new software to create online content to enhance student learning before and after a visit to Roper Mountain. Teachers will be able to access materials before their field trip to preview the content that students will be learning. Alternatively, the online resources can be used after a field trip allowing students to reflect upon and extend their learning.

These lesson materials have turned out great! There are interactive components throughout where students can test their knowledge as they learn. We invite you to look through and get a feel for the content that our fourth graders are learning at Symmes Hall of Science. Here is a link to the online content that supports our Patterns lab. While students are here at Roper Mountain, they use patterns to extricate themselves from an escape room.

Summer Volunteering is Here! 

Summer is right around the corner, and we’re excited to announce that applications are open for both Summer Adventure and Summer Camps! If you’re looking for a fun, meaningful way to spend your summer, our volunteer program is a fantastic opportunity to get involved. Apply by early May to ensure your spot. 

Here are a few quick facts to help you get started:

• Volunteers must be at least 14 years old—but we always welcome and appreciate adult volunteers, too!
• Summer Adventure volunteers can even be trained to handle live animals. Throughout the day, you’ll be stationed in different areas, interacting with guests and helping ensure everyone has an amazing experience.
• Summer Adventure shifts run Tuesday through Saturday, 9:15 AM–4:00 PM, and are easy to sign up for through SignUpGenius.
• You don’t have to commit to every day—choose the shifts that fit your schedule!
• The Summer Adventure season runs from May 27 through July 25.

For those interested in Summer Camps:

• Volunteers are assigned to a specific camp for a designated week.
• Most camps run 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, though some are full-day programs.
• You’ll assist a staff member with activities, helping create a fun and engaging environment for campers.

Good news—you can do both! Simply complete both applications. (Only one teacher reference form is needed.) Some volunteers even split their day by helping with camp in the morning and joining Summer Adventure in the afternoon!

And of course, there are plenty of perks to volunteering:

• A free Roper Mountain t-shirt after your third shift
• A free family membership after 40 hours of service
• A complimentary lunch during Summer Adventure shifts
• The chance to build friendships within an incredible community of staff and fellow volunteers
• Valuable experience in customer service, public speaking, animal handling, and more

Have questions? Reach out to Ashley Zalabak at azalabak@greenville.k12.sc.us—we’d love to hear from you!

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!

We need your 2 liter bottles for Summer Camps! 

Bring clean bottles with caps to the Nature Exchange from now until May 8th and receive 200 bonus points for each one! No limits!

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.

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