Red Pandas: Made for the Cold

The Greensboro Science Center is home to two adorable red pandas: Tai (male) and Usha (female). 

Located in our zoo, these animals are well-suited to winter. 

One awesome adaptation that helps them handle winter weather are their furry feet. Their fur even extends to the bottom of their paws, providing them with a little extra insulation. As you might imagine, that can come in handy when walking on chilly trees!

Of course, on really cold days, our animals are given the option to head inside for some heat. Once they warm up, they’re likely to be back on exhibit, says GSC VP of Animal Care and Welfare. So, if you miss them on your walk through the zoo, be sure to swing by for a second look. You just might find them out and about a little later!

Plan a visit to check out our red pandas for yourself! This month only (February 2021), children receive half price admission on regularly priced weekday general admission tickets. Get your discount now.

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel’s Public Opening Scheduled for August 26

The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) is excited to announce that The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel will open later this month. GSC members will be invited to visit the carousel on Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25 before it opens to the public on Wednesday, August 26. The carousel will be open from 9am – 5pm daily. Ticket prices are as follows:

GSC Members: $1 per ride or $5 for 7 rides
Non-members: $2 per ride or $10 for 7 rides

The carousel features 56 figures ranging from horses and chariots to dinosaurs and tigers. Each figure was hand-carved and hand-painted by artists from The Carousel Works, Inc. The carousel is surrounded by 32 rounding boards that showcase Greensboro’s rich history.

As the crown jewel of the Battleground Parks District, The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is expected to draw one million visitors annually.

Glenn Dobrogosz, CEO of the GSC, says, “This amazing gift from the Rotary Club of Greensboro to the citizens of our community is so very needed right now. Everyone is looking to the future and returning to some semblance of normal in our daily lives and in our aspirations to create new and inventive ways to improve quality of life for all. The beauty, sounds and nostalgia linked to a carousel just makes people feel good. I think all of us could use some of that today.”

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a gift to Greensboro from The Rotary Club of Greensboro and will be operated by the Greensboro Science Center. Kathy Neff, the GSC’s Director of Development, says, “We are very thankful to the Rotary Club of Greensboro for giving us such a beautiful carousel and appreciate all of their donors for making the Rotarians’ dream come to life.”

Greensboro Science Center to Reopen (with Limited Capacity) June 15

After a 93-day closure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greensboro Science Center (GSC) will begin a limited reopening on June 15, 2020. Limited numbers of Greensboro Science Center members will be welcome on site Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16. Non-members will be welcome beginning Wednesday, June 17. Timeslot reservations will be required.

GSC guests (both members and non-members) will be required to:

• Make reservations in advance online at www.greensboroscience.org.
• Limit groups to a maximum of 10 individuals.
• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet away from other visiting parties.
• Follow a one-way path through the GSC.

GSC guests will be strongly encouraged to:

• Wear a face mask.
• Watch the GSC Reopening – Safety in Focus video and review the Safety In Focus booklet.

High-touch exhibits, attractions and experiences as well as spaces where it is difficult to maintain proper social distance will be closed. This includes Hands-On Harbor (stingray touch tank), SciPlay Bay, the OmniSphere Theater, Adventure Theaters, the lower level of the museum, Inside Tracks behind-the-scenes experiences and Jeansboro Junction.

Glenn Dobrogosz, CEO of the GSC, says, “Like our brand new fishing cat kittens, we will be taking extremely safe and calculated baby steps as we initiate this reopening process. We know that these first few weeks will be highly limited, but we hope you will come back to see and say hello to your favorite animals.

“We are excited that when guests return they will be able to see our brand new outdoor Komodo Dragon exhibit and the incredible construction progress as we continue to build the largest expansion in the history of the GSC — Revolution Ridge.

“Lastly, the Rotary Club of Greensboro is wrapping up their incredible carousel project. Once COVID-19 has passed, the GSC looks forward to this amazing public grand opening.”