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 an exciting science museum located in Orlando, Florida. It's a fantastic place where you can learn about science and technology through fun, hands-on activities. The OSC aims to help everyone understand the wonders of the scientific world.
This museum is recognized by important groups like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). It's also a proud member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). These memberships mean the OSC offers high-quality learning experiences. The center receives support from local arts organizations and the State of Florida.
Contents
Discover the Orlando Science Center!
A Look Back: The Center's History
The Orlando Science Center has a long and interesting history. It first opened its doors in 1960 as the Central Florida Museum (CFM). Back then, it focused on showing artifacts from Florida and the Caribbean Basin.
In the early 1970s, the museum decided to change its focus. It became a "hands-on" science and technology center. In 1973, it was renamed to honor John Young, a famous astronaut from the area.
The museum grew even more in 1984 and officially became the Orlando Science Center. A big expansion in 1985 added new exhibit halls. One popular area was "Curiosity Corner," designed for younger children. The original building was even used for scenes in the movie Ernest Saves Christmas! In 1990, the "NatureWorks" exhibit was created, which became a key part of the center.
By 1992, plans were made for a brand new, much larger science center. Construction began in 1995. The amazing new 207,000 sq ft (19,200 m2) Orlando Science Center opened on February 1, 1997. It was six times bigger than the old one! Today, JoAnn Newman is the president and CEO, leading the center's mission.
Explore Amazing Exhibits!
Get ready to explore a world of discovery at the Orlando Science Center! Here are some of the cool exhibits you can visit:
NatureWorks: Florida's Wild Side
Located on the 1st Floor, NatureWorks helps you discover the incredible natural world around us. You'll learn about the different ecosystems in Central Florida. See plants and animals from coral reefs, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests. Find out how living things interact with their environment.
KidsTown: Fun for Little Scientists
On the 2nd Floor, KidsTown is a miniature town designed for younger visitors. It teaches science ideas through fun, full-body activities. Kids can enjoy hands-on games and imaginative role-playing.
Kinetic Zone: Forces in Action
Also on the 2nd Floor, the Kinetic Zone is packed with interactive exhibits. Here, you can explore basic forces like electricity and gravity. Learn about Newton's Laws of motion. You can even design, build, and test your own creations!
The Hive: Create and Innovate
Head to the 3rd Floor for The Hive: A Makerspace. This is a special place where you can create, learn, explore, and share ideas. It's a community space that encourages learning from both successes and challenges.
Fusion: Art Meets Science
The 3rd Floor Mezzanine hosts Fusion: A STEAM Gallery. This art gallery shows how art and technology can work together. All the art here combines creative design with scientific ideas. The exhibits change regularly, so there's always something new to see!
DinoDigs: Uncover Ancient Secrets
On the 4th Floor, DinoDigs takes you back in time! See amazing fossil replicas of dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures. You can dig for fossils in "Jurassic Ridge." Examine real fossilized dinosaur eggs. Compare ancient reptiles with dinosaurs and discover creatures like Elasmosaurus and Tylosaurus. These cool casts were once displayed at Disney's Animal Kingdom!
Our Planet: Journey Through Space and Earth
Also on the 4th Floor, Our Planet explores the mysteries of our universe and our place in it. Discover the powerful forces that shape Earth. Uncover secrets of the Solar System. Enjoy computer games and stunning images from the NASA Hubble Space Telescope. There's even a Virtusphere, a giant sphere you can walk inside to explore virtual worlds!
Crosby Observatory: Stargazing Adventures
Reach for the stars on the 6th Floor at the Observatory. It features Florida's largest public refractor telescope! There are also many other powerful telescopes for stargazing. The Crosby Observatory is open for "SunWatch" (viewing the sun safely) on the first Saturday of each month from 3–5 PM, weather permitting. For night sky viewing, it's open on the first and third Saturday of the month from 5–9 PM, also weather permitting. (Remember, the exhibit halls are closed during these evening hours.)
Special Shows and Movies
The Science Center has two awesome theaters! They show educational films, Hollywood movies, and even laser light shows. Check the Orlando Science Center website for current showtimes.
Dr. Phillips CineDome: Giant Screen Fun
The Dr. Phillips CineDome has a massive screen, 8,000 square feet big! This 300-seat theater uses a special fisheye lens. It creates an image that completely surrounds you, making you feel like you're right in the middle of the action! It uses the largest film format in the world, much bigger than regular movies.
Digital Adventure Theater: Immersive Experiences
The Digital Adventure Theater is part of a national effort with National Geographic. This means the Science Center has access to a huge library of giant-screen films. You can watch award-winning movies in both 2D and 3D digital formats. This theater also shows select Hollywood films and exciting "Science Live!" programs, like "Kaboom!" and "High Voltage."
Exciting Annual Events
The Orlando Science Center hosts several fun events throughout the year:
Spark STEM Fest: Future Tech Fun
This four-day event, formerly known as 'Otronicon,' is a blast! Guests can meet and learn from leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Experience the future of games and design. See the latest medical and military technologies. Attend workshops and panels led by experts. You can even explore art in new ways, seeing how it blends with technology.
Science Night Live: Evening Explorations
Science Night Live offers special evening programs. Enjoy science trivia, cool experiments, and 3D films. There are also special presentations and amazing laser light shows. You can even view stars and planets through the giant telescope in the Crosby Observatory!
See also
- List of science centers
