Have you heard about ReCraft in Greenville? Maybe you’re a parent eternally looking for ways to engage your child in art-making but the cost of art materials gets in the way. Or, maybe you are buried in all these materials you’ve amassed because you don’t know what to do with them.
If only there was a place that had all you needed plus inspiration and ideas on what to make. Thankfully, Greenville’s very own ReCraft Creative ReUse Center is here to help. As parents become more mindful of using upcycled materials for craft-making, ReCraft is the perfect place to tickle your young engineer or artist’s imagination. You can now find them at their even larger location on Laurens Road in Greenville, SC!
There was an audible gasp from most of the crowd as they stepped into the new T.C. Hopper Planetarium at Roper Mountain Science Center for the 6:00 pm showing of Starry Nights in Greenville, SC. After going through a nearly year-long $1 million-plus renovation in 2017, the Roper Mountain planetarium is one of Greenville’s most amazing gems, and it is truly stunning.
The RMSC is part of the Greenville County School System and they strive to engage kids of all ages in the sciences in ways that are imaginative, fun, and memorable. RMSC is truly one of the coolest things you can do here and Starry Nights at the only planetarium in Greenville, SC is a favorite activity of not only us here at Kidding Around but lots of Greenville families.
Did you know you can get free trees in Greenville, SC to plant in your yard? Is your yard lacking trees? Or is your energy bill a little higher than you’d like? Did you know that by planting trees, you can help reduce energy costs while improving air and water quality AND reducing air pollution? You can reduce energy consumption by up to 20% per year just by planting the right tree in the right place. And sometimes, purchasing trees may be a little out of your budget.
Learn how you can get your hands on a free tree for your yard!
Are you looking for things to do in Downtown Greenville, SC? Here at Kidding Around Greenville, our goal is to make sure people in Greenville can always find something to do whether they are looking for a free activity, an experience of a lifetime, or a way to spend a fun weekend. Downtown Greenville has some of the best museums in the upstate, is home to the Greenville Zoo, offers supreme walkability, and features the postcard-worthy Falls Park on the Reedy and Liberty Bridge. There is nothing quite like being downtown. This guide has everything you need to enjoy time in Downtown Greenville, SC.
Are you craving pizza and looking for the best pizza in Greenville, SC? Greenville locals have told us where to find the best pizza around town. Peruse our list to find your new favorite pizza!
There are over 75,000 pizzerias in the United States and as a $36 billion a year industry, Americans are champions when it comes to pizza eating. They eat approximately 100 acres of pizza per day, which is a gorgeous picture to imagine.
The South is known for some exceptional cuisine but it’s the Northeast that takes the award for the best pizza, especially the New York/New Jersey region (I’m originally from NJ and lived in Rome for a time, which I’m proud to say makes me a pizza expert – this is the only thing I’m an expert at so let me have it). Most pizzerias claim they are NY-style pizza, which consists of a thin crust topped with a delicious tomato sauce and melted cheese.
One astute Kidding Around Greenville reader noted that when people get asked what their favorite pizza place is, it’s implied it is NY-style because “let’s face it, is the only style that really matters.” Well said, sir.
Are you looking for STEM activities in Greenville, SC for kids? STEM activities are often both extremely fun and educational, and there are so many places in Greenville where kids can participate in STEM learning. Girl Scout Troop 160 contacted us about writing an article about all the STEM activities available for kids in Greenville and nearby. This list is full of their ideas! So, pack up the kids and get ready for STEM fun.
Hi, we’re Girl Scout Troop 160! We love to go rafting, caving, camping, play outdoor games, and, do art together. Through Girl Scouts, we have done lots of STEM (Science Technology Engineering, and Mathematics). We have done activities like attending a Cathy Novinger Center event where we learned about the effect of wildfires on trees, attending an event at Clemson University where we made elephant prosthetics, touring BMW, and creating and programming a VEX robot.
When we found out that girls gain interest in STEM subjects around age 11 but typically lose it around age 15, we became upset. We love STEM activities! So we decided to TAKE ACTION and create a list of STEM opportunities for girls (and boys) of all ages to help kids find out about all of the cool opportunities available to them.
Editor’s Note: Traditionally, STEM refers to activities that incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math. Readers may note the often-used acronym “STEAM” which simply adds art alongside the STEM subjects, making it STEAM.
The Imagine STEAM Fest is on April 6th, 2024, from 11 am to 5 pm, in Downtown Greenville. It’s a festival where kids can learn about all things STEAM. Run on oobleck, build creatures out of insulation foam, and watch robotics!
This yearly event is one you don’t want to miss. It’s fun for all ages from 0 to 100! Children, especially, will enjoy being introduced to a wide variety of STEAM activities in highly engaging hands-on ways.
Places to Visit Locally for STEM Fun: Greenville, SC
Need a family outing this weekend? Kids driving you crazy on a rainy afternoon or summer day? Many of these STEM-heavy locations are perfect for rainy afternoons and weekends.
Duke World of Energy is an interactive exploration of the different ways electrical power is generated. Open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10-4 pm. Duke World of Energy also offers school field trips.
The Children’s Museum offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. Classes and Afterschool programming for pre-K-5th graders. They also have summer camps!
Roper Mountain Science Center has two after-school options and fun options for summer days.
Afternoon Explorations occur on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30-4:30 September 14 – May 10. Explore the Environmental Sustainability Building and the Dinosaur Trial. On Fridays, you can also visit Harrison Hall of Science. Additionally, every third Thursday Afternoon Adventures has special science programming!
Friday Starry Nights is a planetarium show with a special showing for younger kids and a more in-depth one for older teens and parents each Friday.
Finally, during the summer, Roper Mountain hosts Summer Adventure from June to August. You can dig for gems, explore the farm, touch creatures in the marine biology lab, and so much more!
Clemson Botanical Gardens has over 295 acres of walking paths and beautiful plants and nature-based sculptures. Kids can explore the gardens and learn about the plants through placards on a visit as well as head over to the Bob Campbell Geology Museum for more STEM activities!
Looking for fun STEM things for your children to do after school? This is the list for you! From drop-off after-school programs, to robotics clubs offered through schools, to
Our local Girl Scout Council has really cool STEM events for girls of all ages! Some of the events in the past have included 3D printing, Math in nature, and Space Science Events. Request to join a troop and let the fun begin!
The South Carolina Governors School for Science and Mathematics hosts these SPARK! Virtual workshops for 6-8th graders. Topics are varied. Space is limited to 20 children per workshop.
With Lego league children of ages 4 to 16 can explore and express their creativity with other children through LEGO robotic challenges. Run like an afterschool club, you can search their site for a team near you!
Sylvan learning teaches computer programming, animating, and video game coding. There are robotic camps, and they will brainstorm and create robots. There are also engineering camps, and they will design and evaluate stuff.
The Children’s Museum offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. Classes and Afterschool programming for pre-K-5th graders. They also have summer camps!
Girl Scout Destinations are a fantastic adventure for Cadettes, Senior, and Ambassadors (6-12 grade including just graduated). From Marine Research to Space Camp to Biomedical Engineering there are STEM options of every flavor. Both National and International trips are offered. Girls are able to apply to what interests them the most.
One girl in our troop spent a week on the Connecticut shore studying marine science. She was able to visit two aquariums, kayak, go seining and do conservation work. Her experience was, without a doubt, the best week of her life!
The Children’s Museum offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. Classes and Afterschool programming for pre-K-5th graders. They also have summer camps!
Roper mountain teaches kids of all ages about STEAM. Several girls in our troop have attended Summer Camps at Roper and learned 3D Printing, Robotics, Rocketry, and more!
Clemson Summer Scholars teaches rising 7th to 12th graders about many different subjects (including STEM!), as well as teaching them about college life.
The Clemson Science Outreach Center provides lab field trips (3-12 grade), summer camps (3-6 grade), space exploration camps (6-12 grade), and homeschool programs (3-12 grade).
STEM Camps based on Coding, Robotics, and Technology. There are programs for Grades K-12. Most camps are virtual, but they are some options for in-person camps.
PARI has a beautiful location with lots of history and hands-on exposure to STEM with Space exploration and astronomy. They offer Residental Summer Camps in cypher skills, radio telescopes, and space science for grades 6-12. Located in North Carolina.
Space Camp offers a summer and family camp program for age groups 7-adult. They have established a program for training young explorers to be astronauts and all about all aspects of STEM and space.
High School STEM Internships
Is your high schooler seriously interested in science or engineering? We found these three internship opportunities that will help fuel their interests and look great on college applications and resumes!
A summer program for 11th to 12th who are very serious about science research. Students are paired with a research mentor in Bioengineering, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Plant Environmental, and Electrical and Computer Engineering fields.
High School Seniors participating at a Career and Technical Education Center can apply to experience a one year apprenticeship working at BMW.
Homeschool STEM Opportunities
Homeschoolers in Upstates SC have so many opportunities to explore STEM subjects. We found ongoing classes, one-day programs, and request your own homeschool group field trips all over the upstate!
The Clemson Science Outreach Center provides lab field trips (3-12 grade), summer camps (3-6 grade), space exploration camps (6-12 grade), and homeschool programs (3-12 grade).
Duke World of Energy is an interactive exploration of the different ways electrical power is generated. Open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10-4pm. Duke World of Energy also offers school field trips. Homeschool groups are welcome to arrange field trips!
Roper mountain teaches kids of all ages about STEAM. Roper Mountain is open to the public for Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and Friday Starry Nights. Homeschool groups are welcome to arrange field trips.
GSSM Bus is a free on-site school program for K-5 students. It offers different science courses for each grade level. Request a visit to your school at the link above. Homeschool co-ops are welcome to arrange visits!
The Children’s Museum offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. Homeschool classes and Afterschool programming for pre-K-5th graders.
Any middle or high school students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a biology or life science course can take this free exam. Awards are given to the top three participants in three categories!
School Field Trip Opportunities
Do you want your school to go on a field trip? We found several opportunities for field trips your school could take locally, but also field trips that come to your school! Some of them are even free!
Fins more field trip options in the Kidding Around Guide to Field Trips.
GSSM Bus is a free on-site school program for K-5 students. It offers different science courses for each grade level. Request a visit to your school at the link above.
Any middle or high school students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a biology or life science course can take this free exam. Awards are given to the top three participants in three categories!
Duke World of Energy is an interactive exploration of the different ways electrical power is generated. Open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10-4pm. Duke World of Energy also offers school field trips. Exhibits best suited for K-8th Grades.
The Children’s Museum offers 80,000 square feet of fun and learning just for kids. Classes and Afterschool programming for pre-K-5th graders. They also have summer camps!
STEM Focused Schools
Did you know you could go to a school focused on STEM Subjects? Not all of us did! Some of the schools are local where you can request a change in assignment or apply to a Magnet program. But South Carolina also has two STEM based Governors Schools! We focused on local public schools, but there are also local charter, local private, and virtual STEM schools!
Located in Hartsville, SC, this tuition-free merit-based boarding school is for 11-12 graders. Students apply and are able to take extensive coursework in science.
Located in McCormick, SC this tuition-free merit-based boarding school is for 11-12 graders interested in agricultural sciences. Students take coursework that includes horticulture, plant & animal systems, agriculture management & technology (drones!), and environmental & natural resources management. This school opened its doors in 2020 so it’s brand new!
Carolina High School teaches high school kids about engineering and health professions. 9-12 Grade in Greenville County. This is an application-based magnet school
The J.L Mann High school is a STEM-based academy for 9-12 graders who are interested in learning more about STEM. This is an application-based magnet school.
Hughes Academy is a school for 6th, 7th, and 8th, graders more interested in science and technology. This school offers a magnet program for students who are interested but not zoned for the school district. This is an application-based magnet school.
Fisher Middle prides itself on having the largest selection of middle school-related arts courses in Greenville County many of which are STEM-based. Students can apply for a change in assignment for this school
East North Street Academy is an Elementary Magnet School in Greenville County. This school focuses on making real-world connections with math and science. This is an applicated based maget school.
Golden Strip offers STEM programs in emergency medical technician (EMT), heating ventilation and air conditioning, automotive technology, diesel technology, machine tool technology, and welding technology.
Brand new for the 2023-2024 school year! Located at Roper Mountain, this brand-new Career Center offers programs Emerging Automotive Research, Aerospace Technology, Emerging Cybersecurity/Networking, Clean Energy Technology, and Automation/Robotics. Students in Grades 10-12 are welcome to apply!
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Have you explored the Roper Mountain Science Center in Greenville, SC? You may have heard the name of the Roper Mountain Science Center and wondered what in the world this is or maybe your kids attended a field trip there. But really, do you know how cool this place is?
With a dinosaur trail, a living history farm, a Marine Ecology lab, and active classrooms you can explore, you can visit multiple times and find something new and exciting at each visit! Plus, RMSC has the only planetarium in Greenville, SC and a giant 23” refractor telescope that you can look through during special events. It doesn’t get much cooler than that!
RMSC is part of the Greenville County School system and during the week they host classes for science exhibits and hands-on learning for the public school system. However, they have greatly expanded their offerings and hours for the general public in the last several years and there several wonderful opportunities to explore this gem in Greenville. Every season offers something new and exciting at the RMSC.
The Roper Mountain Science Center is absolutely the place to go for STEM activities in Greenville, SC that are fun and engaging. During special events throughout the year, Roper Mountain is open to the public, and it is truly worth a visit (or ten). From September through May, you can visit during Afternoon Explorations on Thursdays and Fridays.
You can also explore June through July during their Summer Adventure programming, during which an exciting traveling exhibit is set up. And don’t forget their year-round Friday Starry Nights at the Hooper Planetarium.
Kids of all ages will love the RMSC. There is so much for them to see and do from the Dinosaur Trail, the touch tanks in the Marine Lab, the rainforest with its small waterfall, the outdoor play area, the pirate and castle playgrounds, and traveling exhibits.
Environmental Science and Sustainability Building
There is so much to explore at Roper Mountain Science Center that we promise you’ll need lots of visits to see everything. When you first arrive, you will enter through the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. The building is dedicated to water ecology and sustainability practices and is filled with immersive experiences, a traveling exhibit (in summer), live animal displays, and more.
You can see a Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead snake mere inches away and see a Hellbender up close as well. Kids love the interactive exhibits that teach them what not to flush down the toilet (parents like this one as well) and how to lower and raise the water level in a lake. Pretty neat stuff.
One of the most popular exhibits is the Nature Exchange. Here, your child can bring in items they found in nature, including moss, rocks, shells, lichen, or other items in exchange for points that they can use to spend on awesome items like crystals, fossils, and even owl pellets.
The Environmental Science and Sustainability Building is only open to the public during special events and Afternoon Explorations and Summer Adventure.
Harrison Hall of Natural Science
As you leave the lower level exit of the Environmental Science building, you can follow the path toward the Dinosaur Trail to the left or the Harrison Hall of Natural Science to the right. I am a huge ecology lover, so I immediately gravitate toward Harrison Hall. Here you will find multiple active classrooms to explore. There are live animals to meet and even touch like docile snakes, lizards, and sometimes even an alligator.
I love the permanent rainforest exhibit since it’s nice and humid and has a small waterfall, cocoa tree, and benches to enjoy the warmth, which feels especially nice during the colder months.
You can explore taxidermied animals, bone collections, specimen collections, and living animal exhibits. Your child can touch snakes, meet a skink, and learn about ecology and biodiversity during their exploration.
The Marine Lab is super popular because you and your children will be able to touch stingrays, starfish, and other sea creatures in the tide pool while learning about them.
The Ecology Lab showcases South Carolina habitats with their native animals, which include a Mountain Trout Stream, a Beaver/Turtle Pond, a Cypress Swamp (with an alligator), and a Salt Marsh. Guests can also check out a live honeybee hive at work.
Harrison Hall of Natural Science is only open to the public during special events such as Summer Adventure.
Dinosaur Trail
If you decide to head to the Dinosaur Adventure Trail first, then your dino adventure will start with a meet and greet with a Triceratops. All the dinosaurs are life-size models, so be sure to notice the awe in your young kid’s eyes as they notice them towering above them.
Be mindful of the ropes, as RMSC does not allow climbing on the majority of the exhibited dinosaurs. There is a big slide and play area that was designed to look like dinosaur bones coming out of the ground that kids can play on.
In 2023, a brand new animatronics T-Rex was added, which moves and roars. It’s motion-activated so you have no idea it’s going to move until you (or your kids) walk in front of it.
The Dinosaur Adventure Trail is open to the public during special events, Afternoon Explorations, and Summer Adventure.
Pirate and Castle Playgrounds
In 2023, RMSC added two new playgrounds: a large pirate playground for older kids and a smaller castle playground for toddlers.
Both are located next to Harrison Hall and are partially in the shade depending on the time of day. There are benches for parents to sit on as well. Kids really love these new playgrounds as they foster lots of imaginative adventures on the high seas and in the world of knights and ladies at the castle.
These playgrounds are open during Summer Adventure and Afternoon Explorations.
Living History Farm & Butterfly Garden
One of my earliest memories as a kid was visiting the Living History Farm when I was in Kindergarten. With authentic log cabins, a schoolhouse, a working barn, and a reconstructed former slave cabin, there is so much history that you can live the experience. Walking through the gardens, fields, pasture, farm pond, and farm animals certainly lend itself to easily imagining that time period.
The Living History Farm also has an incredible garden in the summer. You will find the Butterfly Garden on the outskirts of the Living History Farm. The garden has native plants that are frequently visited by butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
The Living History Farm is only open to the public during special events and Summer Adventure while the Butterfly Garden is open during Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and special events.
Living History Farm, Roper Mountain Science Center
Symmes Hall of Science
If you are a lover of all things STEM, then the Symmes Hall of Science will be the highlight of your trip to the Roper Mountain Science Center. Though Symmes Hall is only open during special events, it is worth it when you get to explore chemical reactions through experimentation, explore Tesla coils and solar panels, and interact with robotics.
Hooper Planetarium & Daniel Observatory
Last, but not least, the incredible Hooper Planetarium and Daniel Observatory. If you are wanting to spark a love for science in your child, this is a great place to start. The Hooper Planetarium is designed with a 360-degree dome with 4K projection and a truly immersive sound system.
The Hooper Planetarium offers special space-themed programming called Friday Starry Nights throughout the year. The planetarium is also equipped with a Laser Fantasy projection system, which is spectacular, to say the least! You can enjoy Laser Days of Summer, Halloween Laser Shows, and Special Laser Events throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a truly magical experience for adults and kids, then head to the Daniel Observatory after your planetarium showing to look through the historic 23’’ refractor telescope. The telescope is the 8th largest of its kind in the United States! You’ll be able to observe Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and more as you climb the steps to look through the scope.
Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Science Center
Friday Starry Nights at the Roper Mountain Science Center on Friday nights is a favorite activity for many. Shows sell out quickly and RMSC suggests purchasing tickets online beforehand.
Friday Starry Nights are offered on Friday evenings throughout the year at the Hooper Planetarium. Typically, there are three showings (4:30 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:30 pm), with each showing offering a unique feature film themed around space. The 4:30 pm show is excellent for younger children to attend and is recommended for ages 4 and older. The 6:00 pm show is also kid-friendly and features a film that is more exploratory of space in a kid-friendly way. The 7:30 feature showing is most appropriate for older children and adults.
Tickets to Friday Starry Nights are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. Starry Nights is free for RMSC members. The shows are generally not recommended for kids three and under (I can vouch for this – to my dismay, my toddler was scared when we visited the planetarium during an event).
Laser Shows at the Hooper Planetarium
The planetarium also features several special events throughout the year, including Laser Days of Summer,Halloween Laser Shows, Holiday Laser Shows, Pink Floyd Laser Shows, and more. I saw the Laser Days of Summer Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon a couple of years ago, and it was EPIC.
These events are fully immersive, and allow you to sit back and listen to classic albums of the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Stranger Things, and more while lasers tell a story across the 360 degree screen. Regularly check the Roper Mountain Science Center website for updates about their upcoming special events and laser shows.
Tickets for Laser Days of Summer can be purchased now, and the event will begin July 18th, 2024. Multiple showings are offered from Thursday through Saturday from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm on most nights. Tickets for Laser Days of Summer are $8 per adult or child, and $4 for members.
The Nature Exchange
There are 12 Nature Exchanges in the country and they are like little shops for kids that focus on learning about things you find in nature and seeking out neat things that you may not otherwise see if perhaps you weren’t looking for them.
The Nature Exchange at the RMSC is the only one in the state but it’s connected to the other 11 through a database. When your kids sign up, they are entered into this national database. As they rack up points, if they visit another Nature Exchange on a trip, they can use those points to get something from that particular place they visit.
At the Nature Exchange at RMSC, there are lots of neat items already that kids can choose from if they earn enough points. Each person who signs up automatically gets 100 points plus they get points for their birthday, also. Kids can then choose something from the big Nature Exchange wall that is the same number or less than the points they have accumulated. Or, they can accumulate their points and save up for something super cool like a dinosaur fossil plate or a pretty stone or a big bug.
Kids will find everything from gemstones to intricate shells to mummified grasshoppers and tarantulas. The Nature Exchange is located on the top floor of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building, to the left of the main entrance.
Nature Exchange at Roper Mountain Science Center
Afternoon Explorations at Roper Mountain Science Center
Afternoon Explorations is when RMSC is open to the public during the school year. For 2023-24, they will open on September 14, 2023 and be open on Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30-5 pm. Guests will have access to the Environmental Science and Sustainability Center, the Rain Forest Room, Marine Lab and Ecology Lab in Harrison Hall of Natural Science as well as the Living History Farm when weather permits.
You will also be able to hunt for dinosaurs on the Dinosaur Adventure Trail, play in Wildwood, visit the Butterfly Garden, and play on the Pirates of the Carolinas playground.
Tickets for Afternoon Explorations are $8/adults and teens, $7/kids ages 3-12. Members receive free admission.
Summer Adventure and 2024’s summer Traveling Exhibit
Summer Adventure dates for 2024 have not been announced as of publication. You can typically visit during Summer Adventure Tuesday – Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm. Explore all the exhibits RMSC has to offer, including a traveling exhibit that is only accessible during the summer.
The traveling exhibit changes every year, so it’s something special and unique to experience. Summer Adventure also offers special programs, including cockroach racing, the Eat a Bug challenge, farm animal interactions at the Living History Farm, period costume volunteers, and more to get children engaged and excited about science.
2024’s Traveling Exhibit hasn’t been announced as of publication. But for 2023, the traveling exhibit theme was ‘How People Make Things’, located on the top floor of the Environmental Science and Sustainability Building. This exhibit is a lot of fun as kids can create different objects at various stations throughout the exhibit like a trolley car (based on Mr. Rodgers’ show), a pressed coin, or a small box made from cut-out paper.
Admission is free for members, and tickets are $12 per adult and $10 per child 3 – 12 years of age. EBT cardholders can purchase tickets for $5.
The Butterfly Garden
The butterfly garden is located beside the parking lot in front of the Harrison Hall of Natural Science. It’s definitely something to check out, enjoy the beautifully landscaped garden, and see some butterflies. If you’d like to make it a homeschool adventure, try some of the books, ideas and activities below.
Make it Educational
Math: Draw the butterflies with colored pencils (maybe take pictures with a cell phone to reference later) and keep a tally count of how many of each variety you see. Once you return home, turn your tally count into a bar graph. Siblings can compare their graphs and see how they differ.
Science: Use some butterfly books or websites to help you name the different species of butterflies you see. If it’s too much to manage “in the field” just take pictures and look them up when you get home. The following resources may be helpful.
Discuss the butterfly life cycle before or after your visit to the garden. Here’s a great freebie coloring sheet of the life cycle.
Language Arts: Come up with some super sentences about butterflies. Make them factual or fictional. Use the bright colors and textures of the insects and the garden to dress up your sentences with adjectives. Look at how the butterflies move and what they do to pick some great verbs for your sentences.
Resources
This website deals with butterflies specific to our area, and has pictures that may be helpful to you when trying to name species.
The Life Cycles of Butterflies: from egg to maturity, a visual guide to 23 common garden butterflies (J 595.789 Burris) by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards -This book shows the life cycle of butterflies, but also shows pictures of common butterflies and areas where they are found. The Greenville libraries have many other fine books on butterflies with photographs under the call number J 595.789.
If you’d like to know a little more about the purpose of butterfly gardens, or the specific plants and landscaping you see at the garden, check out this portion of Roper Mountain’s website. It lists the host plants and nectar plants found at the science center’s butterfly garden. Many of these plants are labeled in the garden. Spend some time examining these plants.
Summer Camps at Roper Mountain Science Center
RMSC is focused on making STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics- fun for kids, and summer camps are no exception. But summer at Roper Mountain is more than just science: they also offer camps focusing on art, literature, moviemaking, mythology, photography and so much more. Summer camps at the Roper Mountain Science Center are available from K5 through Grade 12, and early drop-off and lunch stays are available for students attending separate morning and afternoon sessions.
Summer camp registration begins in March and camps fill up very quickly. Members will get first dibs on summer camp registration and if you really, really want your kid in a certain camp, you can get the concierge membership, which will ensure you will be able to register your kid(s) before anyone else.
Bring Science Lessons to you with Science on Wheels
If you are looking for a unique and science-driven demonstration for a school program or public outreach program Science on Wheels will bring the experimentation to you. They even have a portable planetarium! The program is perfect for school science days, preschools, library events, family audiences, afterschool groups, evening school events, summer camps, and community centers.
If you think RMSC’s Science on Wheels would be perfect for your group event, you can request more information by contacting the Roper Mountain Science Center directly. Educators can also utilize the many amazing programs Roper Mountain has to offer, including field trips, virtual field trips, elearning Live From Roper, and more to boost their science curriculum for their students.
Roper Mountain Science Center Membership
Speaking of membership to the RMSC, they have some worthwhile packages, especially if your family loves science and technology.
Memberships include free admission to Afternoon Explorations, Summer Adventure, and Friday Starry Nights, special pricing for special events and Laser Days of Summer, and early registration to summer camps. A family membership costs $125 and is easily paid for in just a couple of visits to the RMSC.
For instance, if a family of four travels to nearby Asheville and goes to the Western NC Nature Center, admission for them would be free with a membership to the RMSC.
Bottom line: A membership to the RMSC is a good investment in both learning and entertainment!
Have your kids ever been to Roper Mountain Science Center?
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