Lunar and Martian Geography, 3D Modeling & Printing What is the surface of other planets like? How do we find out and turn that information into a three dimensional model? Can we accurately recreate other places in the solar system with a 3D printer in a way that anyone can see and touch and gain an understanding of places beyond Earth? Campers will investigate these questions and delve into the processes of making science accessible to all. The PARI edition will feature a field trip to a unique mountain location to experience the beauty of the Land of Waterfalls. Unleash your curiousity of the unknown when you retreat to a dark sky oasis where the stars are innumerable and beckon overhead. Let the magnificence of space overwhelm you as you discover the mysteries that still confound scientists, it just might drive you to become tomorrow’s astronauts, physicists, and engineers. Ages 11 –... Read More
Above and Beyond is PARI’s signature camping experience designed to immerse high school students in the world of space science and research while building confidence and critical thinking skills. Originally developed in partnership with Duke University and refined for nearly two decades, this space camp explores the universe through astronomy, physics, and astrobiology, while also providing time for adventure and fun. The process followed by scientists and researchers who’ve made space science their career is modeled to show how new discoveries are made about the universe. Campers are provided the tools and guided through the process by professionals who have made space their life’s work. From determining the expansion speed of a super-nova remnant, to characterizing an exo-planet or finding evidence of dark matter; your data will reveal and your conclusions will add to humanity’s knowledge of the universe! Grades 9th –... Read More
Mission Control: Martian Frontier -Do you have what it takes to plan a mission to another planet? Gain confidence, learn space science, and strive to make it to a new world in this combination role-play—academic camp. The wide variety of topics makes this camp a good fit for a range of interests. You’ll tackle challenges in space craft and habitat design, astronaut health and well-being, and capturing public interest while swaying others to support your plan. Unleash your curiousity of the unknown when you retreat to a dark sky oasis where the stars are innumerable and beckon overhead. Let the magnificence of space overwhelm you as you discover the mysteries that still confound scientists, it just might drive you to become tomorrow’s astronauts, physicists, and engineers. Ages: Grades 7th –... Read More
This year’s Space Day open house at PARI is free and open to the public. Come join us Saturday, May 6th from 10am to 4pm for a day of fun and STEM learning. Here are some things you can do: 📖Attend the signing of the newly released book all about PARI and talk to the author – “Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute: An Untold History of Spacemen & Spies” by Craig Gralley, at 11am and 2pm 🚀Hop on board our shuttle for outdoor site tours (*not a real space shuttle, just a ground one🚐) 💎Take in our museum galleries with NASA and space artifacts, minerals and gems, meteorites, and more, open with scientists to answer your questions☄️ 🔭Peek through a solar telescope to safely observe the Sun and look for sunspots☀️ 🪐Journey through our solar system on the Galaxy Walk, our scale model of our home in the universe 🖍️Visit the activity tables with fun stuff for kids 🎶Hear music played by DJ RaZor with 4 Dreamz Entertainment 🌌Immerse yourself in outer space with a planetarium show (requires a separate $5 ticket) 😋Enjoy a meal from local food vendor “Local Harvester” (food must be purchased)🥪 😃Visit booths and displays from some of PARI’s friends and partners. There will be books and robots and telescopes and more! ⛰️Hike to our observation deck for beautiful views 🎉Play games... Read More
PRESENTED BY PARI AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY CRYPTOGRAPHY & SECRET MESSAGES SET IN A FORMER SPY BASE Campers will explore the origins of codes and ciphers and how they have evolved from written messages to complex digital encryption methods in use today. They will learn how to recreate these techniques themselves and crack the messages sent by their fellow cryptographers, all while reinforcing skills in math, language, and pattern recognition. What better setting than PARI, which once operated as a spy station for the Department of Defense during the Cold War, where messages were being intercepted and deciphered? Another element in the sending of secrets is how you transport them from place to place. We’ll take a look at the technologies, both past and present, that allow information to zip out to distant satellites and back down to Earth. How do we make sure our sensitive transmissions don’t end up in the wrong hands? From messages based on playing with words and numbers, to hiding information in plain sight in images and everyday objects, you’d never suspect all the ways cryptography is used all around us. Campers will leave with an understanding of the principles that drive the world and keep our data... Read More
PRESENTED BY PARI AND CLEMSON UNIVERSITY MISSION: GALACTIC CARTOGRAPHY – MAP THE MILKY WAY AND PLOT A PATH Milky Way Trailblazers is a two week research experience for high school aged campers. Campers will learn to use a radio telescope to find the composition of a region of the Milky Way and measure the speed it is rotating and moving. They will combine the observations and conclusions made by their team with other teams to form a larger understanding of the galaxy we call home. Using a radio telescope to measure regions of space doesn’t create pictures like we see with an optical telescope. The methods to turn the data collected into a map that can guide our way require creativity and hard work. Will the results look the same, or different, than what we see through an optical telescope? Radio isn’t just used for observing space either. Communicating with satellites is a big role that large dishes like the ones at PARI play in human space exploration. Campers will investigate and report on the methods, both historical and contemporary, that are used to accomplish this, and the people who figured out how to do... Read More
Our Mission Control camps provide simulated missions that cover the many topics and skills necessary for a successful exploration of world beyond our own. We’ll use the same kinds of processes that NASA, SpaceX and others use in developing and conducting journeys into space. These missions teach teamwork and STEM principles while giving campers fun and exciting experiences. The camp is an immersive journey amidst our historic campus which played a critical role in the first space race and will help poise your camper for a role in the next. Teams will research real technologies and techniques to build and launch a spacecraft, set science and research goals, and ensure everything needed is sent along. They will also need to choose a crew and care for their health and well-being, perform outreach and gain public support, and navigate funding and political... Read More
Discover and learn in the mountains of WNC this summer with Mountain Roots’ fun and educational day camps! Our camps are focused on the outdoors and connecting campers to each other, their community, and the natural environment. Preschool camp (ages 4 and 5): 9am – 12:00pm. Rising 1st-4th grade: 9am-4:00pm. Operating over the course of 7 weeks, the first 5 weeks will take place at Brevard Academy and the final 2 weeks will be at Fern Leaf Community Charter School. [PLEASE NOTE: Camp is in TWO locations]. See why so many families return to Mountain Roots Day Camp year after... Read More
5 Fun Activities For Camper Parents Once you’ve dropped off the kids at summer camp here in Transylvania County, it’s time for your own summertime fun. These five activities are sure to get you into the spirit of summer: 5 5 Listen to the music. Everywhere you turn in Transylvania County, there’s amazing music being made. Catch a concert at the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival or live music at Oskar Blues Brewery, Brevard Brewing Company, 185 King Street or The Phoenix. Here’s a list of venues to get you started. X 4 4 Go with the flow. From downtown Brevard, it’s only 20 minutes to DuPont State Recreational Forest where you can see some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world (we’re not kidding). A 40 minute drive delivers you to the rugged and pristine Gorges State Park. The Jocassee Gorge has been named one of the “Last 50 Great Places on Earth” by National Geographic. It’s worth the trip to see why. Or take an afternoon paddle on the 3rd oldest river in the world, the French Broad X 3 3 Take the Artist’s Way. The Land of Waterfalls isn’t just a basecamp for adventure — it’s a seriously amazing destination for art and culture. Stroll downtown Brevard’s streets and pop into some of our amazing galleries, including Red Wolf Gallery and Number 7 Arts, just to name a few. Or you can drive the Scenic 276 Arts Corridor. X 2 2 Dine and shop in... Read More
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