June 2022
Your Monthly News & Updates
Our Mission
To ignite the natural curiosity of all learners to explore and shape their world
MOUNTAIN UPDATES
Thank You, Debbie Ogle!
Retirement is not the end of the road. 
It is the beginning of the open highway.

Join us in thanking Deborah Ogle for her 35 years of service to Roper Mountain. Debbie began her tenure with us as a volunteer on the farm and worked her way up to the brains and logistics helm of our school programming as our scheduling secretary.

She has ensured thousands of field trips have gone on without a hiccup over the years and has figured out more scheduling puzzles (thank you weather and COVID-19!) then you could ever imagine.

Debbie will be deeply missed -- for her smile, wit, humor, hard work ethic, friendship, knitting skills, and so many other qualities.

Happy Retirement, Debbie! Enjoy your time with your family!
Come enjoy hands-on summer fun and exploration across the lower half of the mountain Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday Starry Nights:
Magic Tree House: Space Mission
June 3, 10, 17, 24
4:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.
Details and Tickets      
Friday Starry Nights:
Tales of the Maya Skies
June 3, 10, 17, 24
7:30 p.m.
July Laser Shows
Before we begin our Laser Days of Summer in August, we’re featuring special laser shows in the planetarium at 9 p.m. every Friday in July! Tickets are on sale now, but these shows will sell out, so grab yours and come rock with us!
MOUNTAIN HIGHLIGHT:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE BUILDING
Exciting new things are coming to the Environmental Science and Sustainability building! As you travel through Our Water Story exhibit, you can now learn about the importance of healthy soil and water as you turn your focus to our new South Carolina Farm Bureau exhibit, located next to the Connections Cafe. This exhibit highlights the importance of agriculture in our state, how the health of the environment directly impacts the food we eat, and why eating local can benefit you, the Earth, and the amazing farmers we have in South Carolina.
 
Learn what Farm to Table really means as you explore a commodities map, highlighting what grows best in different areas of the state. You will better understand the idea that we are all connected by the food we eat and the importance of supporting our local farmers. You can even test out your farmer skills at home by planting a complimentary seed packet of Collard Greens, our state vegetable! Come check out this new exhibit during Summer Adventure, beginning today! 
OTHER PROGRAM UPDATES
Science On Wheels
Science On Wheels is hitting the road this summer. Come visit libraries around the Upstate to enjoy hands-on STEM fun.
 
Our brand-new public assembly, Coastal Critters, allows participants to meet and learn about some of the animals that populate our shorelines. You’ll discover how they are an important part of marine ecosystems. Using a combination of live animals, biofacts and videos, participants will get a first-hand look at what these amazing creatures are like.

June 13 – Five Forks Library, Simpsonville, 2:30 p.m.
June 14 – Jean M. Smith Library, Greer, 3:30 p.m.
June 14 – Hughes Main Library, Greenville, 7 p.m.
June 16 – Hendricks Library, Simpsonville, 3:30 p.m.
June 17 – Burdette Library, Taylors, 3:30 p.m.
June 20 – Sargent Library, Travelers Rest, 3:30 p.m.
June 21 – Woodruff Library, 2 p.m.
June 22 – F.W. Symmes Library, Greenville, 3:30 p.m.
July 12 – Landrum Library, 11 a.m.
July 19 – Cyrill-Westside Library, Spartanburg, 2 p.m.
 
During Super Cold Science, we will use liquid nitrogen to show how solids, liquids and gases are affected by extreme changes in temperature. Participants will learn how water is different from most other materials and watch the properties of materials change before their eyes. These assemblies will be at the following Pickens County libraries:

June 27 – Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library, Easley, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
June 27 – Sarlin Library, Liberty, 2:30 p.m.
June 28 – Village Library, Pickens, 10:30 a.m.
June 28 – Central-Clemson Library, Central, 2:30 p.m.
 
Sometimes science demonstrations can seem like magic. The difference is, scientists love to explain how things work! During Science Magic, your educator will perform several demonstrations that may first seem like magic. Then, with the help of volunteers and observations from the audience, we will figure out the science behind the trick, and learn what is really happening. Cherokee County libraries will have the following assembly dates:

July 12 – Main Library, Gaffney, 11 a.m.
July 12 – Blacksburg Library, 2 p.m.
BMW Charity Pro-Am
Presented by TD Synnex
Are you attending the 2022 BMW Charity Pro-Am Presented by TD Synnex? Come visit us during the tournament at our Sustainability Village, located adjacent to the Thornblade Club House. You’ll have the chance to win some great prizes. Additionally, we’ll have a hands-on sustainability pledge activity plus special BOGO offers for you to come to Summer Adventure – you won’t want to miss us! Grab your tickets now to support the mountain. If attending the tournament doesn’t suit your schedule, consider purchasing Birdies For Charity and designating Roper Mountain as your charity of choice! This fun option continues to raise bonus dollars by enabling individual donors to make a one-time flat donation or pledge one cent or more per birdie during the tournament.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
We are not licensed or permitted to accept injured or orphaned wildlife. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has a statewide registry of approved rehabilitation centers that might be able to assist you. If the species of wildlife is not listed on the registry, please contact DNR directly at (864) 654-8266 or (800) 922-5431. Keep in mind that certain animals are state protected species and should not be relocated. New laws and regulations provide protection for South Carolina’s reptiles and amphibians.
DID YOU KNOW...
…that the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District (GCSWD) assisted in developing Roper Mountain Science Center and has continued to be a partner since 1982?
 
The organization was part of the original group that worked diligently to secure Roper Mountain for the Greenville County School District. In 1983, our main pond near the Butterfly Garden was built by GCSWD. It was constructed using a clay foundation and fabric liner. The pond is nearly a half acre and includes a seven acre drainage area.
Thanks to the assistance from GCSWD recently, we now have the first and only Rainfall Simulator built specifically for a science center. This Rainfall Simulator helps us demonstrate how different land surfaces affect surface water flow and groundwater, as well as the difference between porous and non-porous surfaces. We also have table-top rainfall simulators from GCSWD that we use to demonstrate sedimentation.
Thanks to the assistance from GCSWD recently, we now have the first and only Rainfall Simulator built specifically for a science center. This Rainfall Simulator helps us demonstrate how different land surfaces affect surface water flow and groundwater, as well as the difference between porous and non-porous surfaces. We also have table-top rainfall simulators from GCSWD that we use to demonstrate sedimentation.

Submitted by Life Science Specialist Tim Taylor
SUPPORT THE MOUNTAIN
Give Back To Roper Mountain:
As we continue to provide unique opportunities for our community to connect, we would love for you to consider making a donation to support our mission and lay the foundation for future success. Please consider making a gift to Roper Mountain today.
AmazonSmile
You can support Roper Mountain in the Amazon Shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones. Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations. 1. Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device 2. Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings' 3. Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. We appreciate your continued support of Roper Mountain, now more than ever.
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 all that we have to offer.
THANK YOU COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Visionary:
ABB
BMW Manufacturing
Bosch Community Fund
Community Foundation of Greenville
Daniel-Mickel Foundation
Dodge Industrial
Duke Energy Foundation
Fluor Golf For Greenville
Greater Greenville Sanitation Commission
Greenville County Litter Prevention
Greenville Water
The Late Ernest and Betty Lathem
Lockheed Martin
MetroConnects
Michelin Charity Golf Tournament
Piedmont Arthritis Clinic, PA
ReWa
SCETV
South Carolina Farm Bureau

Explorer:
Fluor Foundation
General Electric
South Carolina Charities
WK Dickson


Voyager:
Debbie Bell
Tom and Linda Hamilton
The Darrell Harrison Family
Ron and Tommie Reece
Brad Wyche and Diane Smock

Adventurer:
Bank of Travelers Rest
Neil and Joy Grayson
Greenville County Soil and Water
ScanSource Charitable Foundation
Hal and Minor Shaw
State Farm Insurance
 
Innovator:
AFL Global
John R. and M. Margrite Davis Foundation
Rob and Katie Howell
Les and Kay Knight
Piedmont Natural Gas
Scott and Pam Powell
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
We welcome your feedback. Email Roper Mountain to share your thoughts.