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.
Alumni Panel
C228 ♦ 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!
Artificial Intelligence + Data Science
front lawn♦ Drop In 10-2
Discover the wonders of artificial intelligence and data science with Google Gemini.
Asian Culture
South Lobby ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experience the wonders of mochi, capturing the essence of Japanese culture in every bite.
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!
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!
Birds of Prey
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Testyour arm-flapping speed against six bird species from the American Crow to the hummingbird to see which you can match in this quick challenge.
Blackout Poetry
C126 ♦ 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!
Bones
C205♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore bone structure and composition in this hands-on look at science.
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!
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.
Florence Amateur 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.
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.
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.
Math Probability & Statistics
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Test your luck and logic by playing a hands-on version of a classic door game, where surprising twists reveal the power of conditional probability.
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
C123 ♦ 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
C122 ♦ 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 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 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!
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!
SC Nexus All About Energy
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore what types of materials are best used to conduct electricity and turn on a light!
SCGSAH Admissions
Gym ♦ Drop In 10-2
Information station for all programs at the South Carolina Governor's School for Arts & Humanities.
SeaPerch Robotics
Front Lawn ♦ Drop In 10-2
Experience the thrills of robotics with one of GSSM's Robotics clubs.
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!
Solving Mysteries in History
Investigate historical mysteries by examining evidence, asking questions, and piecing together clues to uncover the news events that shaped our world.
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 & C129 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Step into a new reality and reimagine the world around you with virtual reality goggles!
The Science of Soap Bubbles
C109♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore what makes bubbles shimmer, stretch and pop by investigating surface tension, light, and chemistry in this bubble science activity.
Take a Spin with Physics
C106 ♦ Drop In 10-2
Explore motion and center of mass with physics experiments that reveal how spinning and balance shape the way an object moves.
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!
Tin Foil Boats Challenge
Gym♦ Drop In 10-2
Test your engineering skills in this minute to win it challenge.
Waves & Our Coas
Gym♦ Drop In 10-2
Model waves, move sand, and test barriers in this interactive activity that shows how wave action causes coastal erosion and shapes our shorelines.