Space Day at Roper Mountain Science Center to Feature Wernher Von Braun
Space Day is an award-winning educational initiative that seeks to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. It also helps to inspire young people to realize the vision of our space pioneers and to promote the field of aviation. Space Day 2016 celebration will take place 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, March 12th at Roper Mountain Science Center. Featured guest Larry Bounds of Greenville Chautauqua performs as Wernher Von Braun!
A Boy Dreams of Rockets, and takes America to the Moon! Join a multi-media presentation about a little German boy who put rockets on his little red wagon and then rose through World War II and the Cold War to create the most powerful rocket ever fired on earth - the rocket that carried Americans to the moon. Dr. Wernher Von Braun led NASA's development of the mighty Saturn V rocket and joined Walt Disney to inspire the American public to believe in and support our race to the moon. His story is told in photos, film, and models of the engines that first carried humans into space. Our presenter is Larry Bounds, a teacher with Greenville County Schools. He will be presenting the ideas of Dr. Von Braun for Greenville's Chautauqua Festival in June, playing the role of the famous rocket scientist himself.
Space Day 2016 is supported by NASA Langley and community partners: Michelin, GE Aviation, Clemson University, Greenville Technical College, Embry Riddle Aeronautics-Worldwide, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, Challenger Center Columbia SC, East North Street Academy of Science and Math, Western Carolina Remote Control Club, Ashville Star Trek Club, and the Upstate SC Youth Aviators Association.
Space Day 2016 activities include:
- Meet NASA Langley Aerospace Engineer John R. Micol and experience NASA’s Journey to Mars Mission!
- GE Aviation hosts a Paper Airplane Design Challenge
- See and touch an actual Space Shuttle Tire with Michelin Engineers and learn about Michelin’s rich history in aviation
- Columbia Challenger Center will have flight simulator software and small robots on hand for visitors to test
- Visit our “Rocket Playground” to test rocket balloons, stomp rockets, pump rockets, and watch model rocket launches
- Straw rocket design challenges for all ages
- Clemson Nanomaterials Center hosts hands on nanoscience activities and demonstrations
- East North Street Academy will allow visitors to conduct a meteorite crater drop
- Make and take your own Dipper Finders, Spinning Copters, and observe how one substance can act as a solid and a liquid as you mix Galaxy Oobleck!
- Greenville Technical College Aviation Maintenance demonstrates a Gyroscope Suitcase, Ignition Systems, and other flight controls. Plus children will design a circuit and learn how to use electrical meters to measure current, voltage and resistance.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University undergraduate Aerodynamics class includes airfoil theory and calculation of speed, drag and basic aircraft performance criteria. Get a sample of this class by choosing the winning wing design before you launch two model planes.
- Meet aerospace engineer Ted Christian who worked at the Johnson Space Center in Houston
- PARI offers AstroSurf with Smiley: Take data with a 4.6m radio telescope located in North Carolina! You are in charge of observing radio emissions from neutral hydrogen in our galaxy!
- Join USCYAA (the Upstate SC Youth Aviators Association) in building radio controlled model airplanes out of foam board and to learn about many aspects of aviation, ranging from radio controlled to sailplanes to famous warbirds. This is an exciting, hands-on, STEM activity targeted at high school and mature middle school students to educate them about aviation.
- Western Carolina Remote Control Club with fixed wing helicopters and drones flying on the Living History Farm plus make and take your own kites
- Experience Asheville Star Trek Club, The USS Alaric
- Skilled amateur astronomers will be on hand to demonstrate and discuss telescopes with solar viewing outside the Daniel Observatory
Other activities will include the planetarium shows “Astronaut” and “Earth to the Universe” in the Hooper Planetarium at 10 and 11 am, 1 and 2 pm. In the Harrison Hall of Natural Science, visit the Discovery Rooms and Marine Lab to touch and hold live animals! In the Rainforest, discover tropical rainforest plants and animals; while in the Ecology Lab discover the Nature of Flight through bird study activities.
Space Day Saturday hours 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. All events are included in the general admission to the Center:
$7 for children (ages 5-12) and senior citizens (age 60 and over); $8 for Teens and Adults (ages 13-59).
Free for children age 4 and under, RMSC Association members and School District Employees.
About Roper Mountain Science Center
Roper Mountain Science Center ignites our natural curiosity to explore and shape our world. The most impactful entity in the Upstate focused on science and science education, RMSC provides curriculum-based, hands-on learning for elementary and middle school students; offers inspiring “edutainment” for the public with Starry Nights, Second Saturdays and other special events; and produces state-of-the-art training for teachers. Each year, more than 50,000 students, 6,000 teachers, and 30,000 families and adults visit Roper Mountain Science Center.
Website: http://www.ropermountain.org