Orlando Science Center facts for kids
The Orlando Science Center as seen from Harry P. Leu Gardens
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| Established | 1955 |
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| Location | Orlando, Florida |
| Type | Science museum |
| Visitors | +500,000 annually |
| Public transit access |   125 |
The Orlando Science Center (OSC) is a fun and exciting science museum in Orlando, Florida. It's a special place where you can learn about science and technology through hands-on activities. The museum helps everyone understand how science works in our world.
The Orlando Science Center is recognized by important groups like the American Alliance of Museums. It is also part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers. The museum gets support from its members and from groups like United Arts of Central Florida.
Contents
History of the Science Center
How the Museum Started
The museum first opened in 1960 as the Central Florida Museum. Back then, it was an anthropology museum. It showed collections of old items from Florida and the Caribbean Basin.
Becoming a Science Center
In the early 1970s, the museum decided to change. It wanted to become a "hands-on" science and technology center. In 1973, it was renamed to honor John Young, a famous astronaut from the area.
Growing Bigger and Better
In 1984, the museum changed its name again to the Orlando Science Center. It grew even more in 1985. New areas were added, like a hall for physical sciences and a special area called Curiosity Corner. This area was just for younger kids to explore science.
In 1990, the museum expanded one last time in its original building. They created NatureWorks, which was a preview of a big natural science exhibit.
A Brand New Building
Leaders at the Orlando Science Center planned a completely new building in 1992. Construction for this new center began in 1995. The new building opened on February 1, 1997. It is six times bigger than the old one! The current leader of the science center is JoAnn Newman.
Exciting Exhibits to Explore
NatureWorks: Discover Florida's Wild Side
- NatureWorks is on the 1st Floor. This exhibit shows how rich and amazing the natural world is. It focuses on the different environments in Central Florida. You can see plants and animals from coral reefs, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests. Learn how living things and their surroundings work together.
KidsTown: Science for Little Explorers
- KidsTown is on the 2nd Floor. It's like a tiny town where younger kids learn science. They can do this through fun activities, hands-on games, and by pretending to be different characters.
Kinetic Zone: Forces in Action
- Kinetic Zone is also on the 2nd Floor. This area has many hands-on exhibits. You can explore basic forces like electricity and gravity. Learn about Newton's Laws of Motion. Visitors can also design, build, and test their own creations.
The Hive: A Place to Create
- The Hive: A Makerspace is on the 3rd Floor. It's a special place where you can make things, learn, explore, and share ideas. The Hive helps people work together. It teaches that you can learn from both successes and mistakes.
Fusion: Art Meets Science
- Fusion: A STEAM Gallery is on the 3rd Floor Mezzanine. This is the Orlando Science Center's art gallery. It combines art with science, technology, engineering, and math (STEAM). All the art here mixes art and technology. The exhibits in this gallery change from time to time.
DinoDigs: Uncover Ancient Secrets
- DinoDigs is on the 4th Floor. This exhibit has copies of dinosaur fossils and ancient sea creatures. You can dig for fossils in "Jurassic Ridge." See real fossilized dinosaur eggs. Explore displays of ancient land and sea reptiles. You can even compare reptiles and dinosaurs to find out what's similar and different.
Our Planet: Journey Through Space and Earth
- Our Planet is also on the 4th Floor. This exhibit helps you explore the strange and wonderful things in the universe. It also shows Earth's place in it all. Discover the powerful forces that shape our planet. Uncover the mysteries of the Solar System. You can use computer games and see images from the NASA Hubble Space Telescope. There's also a Virtusphere, a giant ball you can walk inside to explore virtual worlds!
Observatory: Gaze at the Stars
- Observatory is on the 6th Floor. It has Florida's largest public telescope for looking at stars. There are also smaller, powerful telescopes for stargazing. The Crosby Observatory is open for SunWatch on the first Saturday of each month from 3–5 PM, if the weather is good. It's also open from 5–9 PM on the first and third Saturday of the month for night viewing.
Traveling Exhibits
The Science Center often hosts special traveling exhibits. These displays are shown for a few months at a time. They bring new and exciting topics to the museum.
Awesome Theaters
The Science Center has two movie theaters. They show educational films, Hollywood movies, and even laser light shows. You can check the Orlando Science Center website for current show times.
Dr. Phillips CineDome: An Immersive Experience
- Dr. Phillips CineDome has a huge screen that is 8,000 square feet! This theater has 300 seats. Films are shown through a special lens that makes the image surround you. It feels like you are right in the middle of the movie! It uses a very large film format, much bigger than regular movie theaters.
Digital Adventure Theater: 2D and 3D Fun
- Digital Adventure Theater was one of the first museums to work with National Geographic. This means the Science Center can show many amazing films. These include award-winning movies in 2D and 3D digital formats. This theater also shows some Hollywood movies and live science programs.
Fun Annual Events
Spark STEM Fest: Explore the Future
- Spark STEM Fest is a four-day event. Guests can meet and learn from leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). You can experience the future of games and design. See the latest medical and military technologies. There are also workshops and talks by experts. You can even see art in new and exciting ways, combining art and technology.
Science Night Live: Grown-Up Science Fun
- Science Night Live is a program for adults. It includes science trivia, experiments, 3D films, and special presentations. You can also enjoy laser light shows and view stars and planets through the giant telescope in the Crosby Observatory.
