Greensboro Science Center to Host Endangered Species Day Event

MEDIA RELEASE
April 24, 2023

CONTACT INFORMATION
Bekah Robinson
(336) 288-3769 x1305
rrobinson@greensboroscience.org

GREENSBORO, NC — The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is joining a national effort to raise awareness for endangered species. On Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10am – 2pm the GSC will celebrate Endangered Species Day with educational tables that will be located throughout the facility and a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt for visitors to seek out the GSC’s resident endangered species. Guests can learn more about the event on the GSC’s Facebook page.

Saturday, May 20 will also mark the re-opening of the Cole Family Monarch Conservation Center and Butterfly House for the 2023 season. Guests can see beautiful native butterflies up close and discover how they can put conservation into action by choosing garden plants that serve as hosts and food sources for pollinators. In addition to the seven species the GSC hosted last year, nine new species, including luna moths, buckeyes, and red spotted purples, will join the endangered monarch butterfly to help raise conservation awareness for this butterfly season.

Jessica Gouge, the GSC’s Education Events Manager says, “We look forward to seeing everyone on May 20 to celebrate Endangered Species Day. We hope to help raise awareness for the animals and places that need our help, and hopefully inspire guests to find simple actions they can take at home to help protect threatened and endangered species. This year is special because it is the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the legislation that institutionalized our nation’s commitment to the conservation of wildlife and the places they call home.”

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About the Greensboro Science Center
The Greensboro Science Center is a premier family attraction in North Carolina that offers the state’s first accredited inland aquarium, a hands-on science museum, an accredited Animal Discovery Zoological Park, a state-of-the-art OmniSphere Theater, FLYWAY Zipline at BPD, and SKYWILD, an animal-inspired treetop adventure park. The GSC is also NC’s only dually accredited AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and AAM (American Alliance of Museums) science attraction – an honor only 14 attractions in the nation can claim. The Greensboro Science Center is located at 4301 Lawndale Drive in Greensboro and is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.greensboroscience.org.

Shark Week Resurfaces July 25 – 30, 2022

Shark Week, sponsored by Fins Car Wash, is resurfacing at the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) from July 25 – 30, 2022. Crafts, games and activities will take place daily from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. during the celebration. Shark Week activities are free with GSC general admission or membership.

“Humans are innately fascinated by sharks, and they occupy many facets of our lives – from popular songs to new scientific discoveries,” said Alison Manka, School and Aquarium Programs Manager. “Shark Week is a way to get to know the facts about sharks and dispel many of the fears we have about them while having a bit of fun at the same time. This event is also a way to celebrate the importance and diversity of life in our amazing oceans. By dispelling myths and making sharks a bit more lovable, we hope to encourage everyone to contribute to shark conservation.” 

Each day of Shark Week will feature a different theme and craft. This year’s daily themes will be:

• Munch, Munch Monday: Sharks are jaw-some predators, but most are also picky eaters. Find out what items are and are not on their menu. 
• Toothful Tuesday: Shark myths and “tooths”. Test your shark smarts with a round of “Myth or Tooth” trivia.
• Wonders Wednesday: Shark Week continues with Wonders Wednesday, where we’ll explore sharks’ amazing superpowers! 
• Thoughtful Thursday: Take a moment to consider shark conservation on this Thoughtful Thursday. Discover why we need sharks and what we can do to help them.
• Freaky Friday: Today is Freaky Friday! Learn about some of the strangest sharks in the sea and make your own unusual shark mask to keep!
• Supreme Saturday: Find out which shark is the biggest, which is the fastest, which is the oldest, and much more!

On Thursday, July 28, GSC guests are invited to bring plastic film to recycle in support of the Trex® Recycling Film Challenge. The GSC is participating in the challenge to reduce the amount of plastic film that ends up in landfills. Examples of plastic film that will be accepted on this day are: grocery bags, bubble wrap, newspaper sleeves, plastic shipping envelopes, and produce bags. Help us take a bite out of plastic!

Greensboro Science Center Partners with American Red Cross to Host Community Blood Drive

The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the GSC’s SAIL Center.

To make an appointment to donate, sign up online at redcrossblood.org.

“The Greensboro Science Center is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Jessica Gouge, Education Events Manager. “This blood drive is our way of giving staff, colleagues and neighbors an opportunity to help save lives.”

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross.

“We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”

According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.