The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, located in Rosman, is a public nonprofit that has transformed a historic former NASA and Department of Defense research facility into an accessible, hands-on STEM learning environment for students, families, and researchers. Rather than learning science from a textbook, participants at PARI engage directly with real scientific tools and data — exploring astronomy, environmental science, data science, and engineering through authentic, immersive experiences. In 2025, PARI served 4,246 participants in person at its Transylvania County campus and reached an additional 12,000 through remote and off-site programming.
PARI’s local programs are designed to reduce the geographic and economic barriers that can limit STEM access in rural communities. School field trips bring students from TC Henderson, Rosman Elementary, and Rosman Middle School onto campus at no cost. STEM Learning Days offer full-day hands-on experiences — building telescopes, exploring meteorites, constructing robots — for local families, including take-home materials and meals. Summer camp scholarships provide high school students with access to immersive, research-based programs that open doors to science careers they might not otherwise encounter.
Lake Toxaway Charities is proud to support PARI’s work to ensure that Transylvania County students have access to world-class STEM experiences right in their own community.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Leading Tours
- Leading Hikes
- Assisting with field trips & educational group
- Assisting with evening telescope viewing
