Welcome to GSSM!
Scroll through the list of Inside GSSM activities below to discover what they're all about, or use the search bar to find info about a specific activity, locate the activities exploring a certain topic, or see what's happening in a certain location or at a specific time.
Asian Culture
South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experience the wonders of mochi, capturing the essence of Japanese culture in every bite.
Alumni Panel
C122 ♦ 11:30, 12:30
Experience a special Q&A session with alumni. Get insider insights and ask your burning questions—all in just 15 minutes!
Astronomy Club
C104 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Discover the wonders of the night sky as you explore stars, planets, and distant galaxies through powerful telescopes. Learn how astronomers use these incredible tools to unlock the secrets of the universe and navigate the cosmos!
Badminton
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Join us on the front lawn to discover the science behind badminton, where fun and physics come together in every smash and serve!
Battle of the Beaks
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Dive into evolution by replicating bird beaks and collecting food in a "Survival of the Fittest" challenge—race against the clock in this exciting minute-to-win-it game!
Bead Who You Are
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Design a unique bracelet that showcases your personality, culture, or family heritage, turning your story into a wearable piece of art!
Blackout Poetry
C129 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Unleash your creativity by turning magazine clippings into blackout poetry with Sharpies, then add a twist by crafting unique verses using magnetic word strips!
Bridge-Aqueduct Hybrid Challenge Objective
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore structural engineering principles while you build an aquaduct that doubles as a bridge capable of carrying a small stream of water (desert sand) across a "valley" while holding weight.
Bubble Club
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore the science behind soap bubbles and watch as science and fun collide in every colorful, floating sphere!
Cold Chemistry
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
What makes this ice dry? Through a series of hands-on activities and demonstrations, students and families will explore the properties of this cool substance.
Coloring Station
Gym & South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Little ones can get creative with colored pencils and STEM-themed coloring sheets provided for a fun and educational coloring experience!
Creative Writing with Chalk
Front Circle ♦ Drop In 10-2
Unleash your creativity on the front walkway with vibrant chalk creative writing, turning the path into a colorful canvas of expression!
DNA Extraction Lab
C227 ♦ 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12:30
Extract DNA from your own cheek cells and collect it in a small tube to take home as a keepsake! Add a personal touch by turning your DNA sample into a unique necklace with colorful strings.
ENGAGE Game Design with PICO-8
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Play video games designed by local middle school students using the Lua programming language and PICO-8 platform. Test their creations and see if you have what it takes to become a game developer!
Exploring Engineering
C112 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Discover the exciting world of engineering through hands-on activities like sketching designs or building truss bridges. Plus, watch the GSSM Robotics Team, 2023 SC State Champions, showcase their award-winning skills in a live competition setting.
Flavors of France
South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experience French culture with flaky croissants paired with the sweet indulgence of Nutella.
Flavors of Spain
South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Spain as you experience the rich cultural tradition of paella.
The Great Debate
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Sharpen your critical thinking, persuasive speaking, and argumentation skills through engaging activities like 2 Truths & 1 Lie, Debate with a Twist, and Debate Back & Forth!
GSSM Admissions
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Information station for all of GSSM's high school programs.
GSSM Outreach
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Information station for all of GSSM's summer and academic year programs. Completed Inside GSSM passports can be turned in here for a take-home keepsake.
Ham Radio Club
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Step into the world of Ham Radio with Lloyd Mitchell, President of the Florence Amateur Radio Club, and discover how radio waves connect people across the globe! Get ready to tune in, transmit, and explore the exciting world of amateur radio communication.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Students dive into the world of machine learning by training a tic-tac-toe matchbox machine, using reinforcement learning to enhance its gameplay!
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream - Dippin' Dots Style
C208 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Come explore the wonders of liquid nitrogen as you make ice cream - Dippin' Dots style!
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
C224 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get hands-on with liquid nitrogen to create your own frosty, delicious ice cream in this cool and exciting activity!
MaKey MaKey
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Unleash creativity and innovation as participants dive into circuits and technology, using the MaKey MaKey and conductive objects to transform everyday items into game controllers!
Mathematical Art: The Beauty of Patterns
C126 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore patterns using math! Tessellations, friezes, and fractals. Reptiles? Reptiles!
Mathematical Puzzles & Decoding
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Unlock the secrets of mathematics and cryptography as students solve puzzles and games while decoding a Caesar cipher!
mBot Soccer
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Step into the future of sports as participants control mBots with remote controls to compete in an exciting game of soccer!
Meet the GSSM Admissions Team
C123 ♦ 10:30, 11:30, 12:30
Meet with our friendly admissions team to discover everything you need to know about our school, from academic programs to campus life. Whether you're exploring options or ready to apply, we're here to answer all your questions and help you take the next step!
Microscopes
C207 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Dive into the microscopic world as you explore everyday items under the lens of a microscope, all while learning how these powerful tools work!
Minute to Win It Chandelier
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Test your stacking skills in this high-speed challenge! With 5 soda cans and 4 paper plates, you’ll have one minute to build the tallest chandelier you can.
Minute to Win It Cup Stack
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Put your dexterity to the test! With 16 cups, stack them into a pyramid and then carefully bring them down to a single stack using just one hand.
Minute to Win It Pipe Cleaner Challenge
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Unleash your creativity with just one pipe cleaner and one minute to craft an animal or alien that can stand on its own without support!
Minute to Win It Rubber Band Shooting Gallery
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get ready to test your aim and power! Using rubber bands, see how many stacked aluminum cans you can knock over in just one minute.
Minute to Win It Tower
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Challenge your creativity and engineering skills by building a 10-story tower with just 20 index cards—only one fold allowed, no tearing, and all in under a minute!
Multicultural Cuisine
South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Try poffertjes, small and fluffy Dutch pancakes made with flour and yeast, a beloved treat in the Netherlands since the 1700s. Traditionally served at weddings, birthdays, and festive street markets, these bite-sized delights are a must-try!
Physics & Balloon Rockets
C107 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get ready for some high-flying fun! In this activity, we'll use everyday household items to build our very own balloon rockets. Once we've constructed two or more rockets, the real excitement begins: it's race time! As our rockets zoom across the finish line, we'll dive into the science behind the magic, exploring Newton's 3rd law of motion and how it propels our creations forward. Get ready for a blast-off of learning and excitement!
Physics of Light & Sound
C106 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore the physics of light and sound with several physics demonstrations of optics, color mixing, sound waves, and musical instruments.
Puzzling Puzzles
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Test your problem-solving skills and challenge your mind with 3D puzzles like the Rubik's Cube and more!
Rockets
Front Lawn (Behind Hydroponics Lab) ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get ready to be amazed by the power of air pressure! Launch air-powered projectiles, track their flight time and distance—soar up to 6 seconds and over 50 yards!
SCGSAH Admissions
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Information station for all programs at the South Carolina Governor's School for Arts & Humanities.
SeaPerch Robotics
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experiece the thrills of robotics with one of GSSM's Robotics clubs.
Selfie Station
Center Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Strike a pose at our selfie station, complete with the GSSM backdrop and our iconic eagle mascot—perfect for capturing a fun memory of your visit!
Shark's Tooth Excavations
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Dig into adventure as participants sift through playground sand in a kiddie pool, uncovering marine animal fossils and shark teeth, then identify their finds using a fun dichotomous key with pictures!
Slime
C210 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get hands-on with chemistry by mixing ingredients to create your own stretchy, squishy slime. Experiment with colors and textures to make a unique batch to take home!
Soccer
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Join us on the front lawn to discover the culture and science behind soccer, where fun and physics come together in every kick and serve!
SPARK Physics
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experience thrilling physics demonstrations, including Benuli’s Principle and the challenge of holding a tire with just one finger using rotational inertia, plus more exciting experiments designed by Spark Physics members!
Starter Plants & Painting Pots
Front Lawn (Hydroponics Lab) ♦ Drop In 10-2
Get creative by painting your own terra cotta pot, then head into the Hydroponics Lab to pick a plant as a starter and watch it grow!
Staying Safe Online
C111 ♦ 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 12:30
Master essential digital security skills with smart strategies in our engaging half-hour presentations!
Step Into the Future with Virtual Reality
C130 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Step into a new reality and reimagine the world around you with virtual reality goggles!
Suture Science: Stitch Like a Surgeon with MEDLIFE
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Gain hands-on experience in medical techniques by using surgical tools to suture a variety of simulated wounds!
Take a Tour of GSSM
Flagpole ♦ 11, 12
Join our awesome student ambassadors at the flagpole at 11:00 or 12:00 for a 30 minute guided school tour, ending with a special Q&A session with alumni. Get insider insights and ask your burning questions—all in just 15 minutes!