Afternoon Explorations is under way and we've loved seeing you! Starting in October, we are featuring a monthly special themed event with admission. Mark your calendar for these fun, hands-on experiences! Details on each month's activities coming soon.

Girl Scouts: join us on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. as we look to the sky and learn all about the stars and planets. Let’s find out all there is to love about space and astronomy! Tickets are $20 per scout and available on our website:

Bill was generous, straightforward, and genuine, and he will be missed.

There's so much to LOVE about this month's Friday Starry Nights lineup! Join us at 4:30, 6, or 7:30 p.m. for these stellar shows on Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28! 4:30 p.m.: The Little Star That Could 6 p.m.: Cosmic Colors 7:30 p.m.: Extreme Planets Grab tickets:

For the LOVE of STEM event is here! Visit us on Friday, Feb. 14 during Afternoon Explorations (1:30 to 5 p.m.) to learn more about why our community partners love their careers in STEM.

Whittaker secured a $600k federal grant for the horticulture building and a $50k grant to develop nature trails and landscaping. This laid the groundwork for immersive outdoor learning experiences. What we now know as Roper Mountain Science Center was beginning to take shape.

By 1976, a plan designed by William Davis outlined the development of key facilities: a horticulture building, planetarium, and classroom renos for the former Tricentennial Building. The facility fell under the direction of the District Science Consultant, Willie Whittaker, Jr.

The Birth of Roper Mountain Environmental Center By 1974, the SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism transferred the property to Greenville County Schools for $5, stipulating that the land be used for education, conservation, & recreation, to serve as a public resource.

The land became an economic burden. In 1971, Gov. West approached Dr. Hall, Superintendent of Greenville County Schools, to develop an educational proposal for the property. Inspired by a visit to the Fernbank Science Center, a committee began envisioning what it could become.

We're sad that former instructor Garrison Hall passed away. He was a master teacher, lover of science, and wonderful man. We're grateful for the time he spent with us educating teachers, students, and families through Science PLUS, summer camps, outreach and in the Planetarium.

Our Summer Camp Guide is here: Members only online registration begins Tuesday, March 11, at 7 a.m. Public registration online registration begins Thursday, March 13, at 8 a.m.

A Fluor Golf for Greenville event grant funded a new digital system for the Planetarium, providing updated & enhanced astronomy programs including new licensed shows, pre-scripted astronomy + science demos, star talks & interactive live shows available to students and the public.

Did you know you can find some of our South Carolina state symbols in the Marine Lab? Search for the Bottlenose Dolphin, Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and our Palmetto Tree the next time you visit us!

Save the date for our annual Pi Day event! Tickets are now on sale, so don't delay... We can't wait to celebrate with you on Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

In 1970, SC celebrated its 300th anniversary with a statewide Tricentennial Celebration. Greenville’s Piedmont Exposition Park focused on SC’s future role in science, technology, and industry. The unique tetron structure faced many issues and thus, the park permanently closed.

We love our axolotls Mario and Peach! Join us this Friday, Jan. 31, from 1:30 to 5 p.m. to celebrate National Axolotl Day! Come learn more about these critically endangered creatures native only to Mexico and get your picture taken with our giant axolotl!

Funds from @FluorCorp brought to life new 6th grade physical science labs called Hands on Engineering. A new thermal engineering lab explores heat transfer, while the “Robot Zoo” lab gives students the opportunity to program robots to simulate animal responses to various stimuli.

Check out our new reading nook in the planetarium where young readers can peruse space-themed books. You'll also notice a groovy change in our hallway: UV lights with a glow-in-the-dark space rug. We had local artist Sarah Basso update our pictures to be reactive to UV light.

This May, we're celebrating 40 years of igniting curiosity, inspiring innovation, and shaping the future of science education. Stay tuned as we embark on a journey to honor our 40 years with social posts, newsletter features, and blogs on our website. More to come soon!