13 February 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Student Teams Create Quirky Moving Sculptures with Found Objects

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Competition from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony at 1:00 p.m.

ORLANDO, FL – February 10, 2012 – The Orlando Science Center hosts the Kinetic Challenge on Saturday, February 18 - a science competition geared toward 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders in eight Central Florida counties. Kinetic Challenge allows students to use their creativity and science knowledge to win money for their science class or club. View the entries from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Science Center’s clubhouse on level 1 (across from the Dr. Phillips CineDome). The awards ceremony at 1:00 p.m. will be held in the Science Center’s Darden Theater on level 2 and is open to the public.

Projects at the Kinetic Challenge resemble those made famous by American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg. Machines are assembled using household, store-bought and found items and are designed to perform a simple task in complex fashion. By utilizing kinetic energy, a single action sets events in motion that result in a domino effect. Kinetic sculptures must include movable parts powered by an independent energy source and be no larger than three feet wide by six feet wide by eight feet high.

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06 February 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Central Florida Families can enjoy Science Center, Mission Nutrition 5,
Bob the Builder™ – Project: Build It! and more for just $5 per person

Sunday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ORLANDO, FL - (February 6, 2012) - The Orlando Science Center, in partnership with the Walmart Foundation, has announced the next “Walmart $5 Day” will be Sunday, February 12. Thanks to Walmart’s generous support, all guests to the Science Center on February 12 will enjoy exhibits, films and live programs for the significantly discounted price of $5. General admission fees are usually $17 for adults and $12 for kids (ages 3-11).

Walmart $5 Day provides admission to all the Science Center’s exhibits, films and programs, including a special day of activities and displays on health and wellness. For many, this event presents the opportunity to experience the Science Center for the first time. This year marks the third year for this partnership between the Science Center and the Walmart Foundation.

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02 February 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Explore Health and Wellness During Heart Awareness Month

Sunday, February 12, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ORLANDO, FL – February 2, 2012 – During the 5h annual Mission: Nutrition, guests will experience demonstrations and displays showcasing medical technology, nutrition and fitness and how they impact heart health.

During the event, guests can also interact with SimMan – a state-of-the-art patient simulator. SimMan represents the breakthrough technology being used to train today’s medical professionals. SimMan talks, functions and reacts like a real patient. SimMan is made possible through the generous support of Workforce Central Florida. Also, representatives from Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. and FLAME, the Art of Cooking, will be on hand demonstrating heart-healthy food preparation.

Florida Hospital for Children will transform the Darden Adventure Theater into a surgical amphitheater, featuring a heart surgeon performing a beef heart dissection. This live demonstration will vividly explain to guests how the heart works. Back by popular demand, the Physical Challenge Arena will be open for competitors at Mission: Nutrition. Sponsored by the President’s Challenge and the Amateur Athletic Union, participants will find activities for all ages plus information on health, nutrition and ways to stay active.

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13 January 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Virtual Reality, Simulators, Videogames, Laser Shows, 3-D, Brain Mapping, Panels, Movies and Exploding Bacon!

January 13-16 at the Orlando Science Center

WHAT: Let the games begin! The seventh annual Otronicon is in full swing at the Orlando Science Center. Multiple industry partners have joined together to celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play. Otronicon is the Science Center’s largest annual event with an average of 2,500 visitors each day – more than 10,000 guests are projected for all four days. Now in its seventh year, Otronicon promotes technology “made in Orlando, played in Orlando,” spotlighting Central Florida organizations creating games, simulators and jobs that are changing our high tech future.

Key events include:

• EA SPORTS will showcase their latest virtual technology application – EA SPORTS Game View – an augmented reality system that ESPN analysts are now using to run plays using 3-D virtual athletes. Attendees can watch as animated virtual athletes run plays on a virtual field in real-time. EA SPORTS will also invite attendees to “get in the game” with Madden NFL cover photo-ops, motion capture technology, and, of course, plenty of games for open play. Walt Disney World Resort will display how audio-animatronics helps bring their brand of family entertainment to life.

• Florida Hospital hosts Medical Sim City with demonstrations that include the innovative da Vinci surgical robot along with patient simulators, echocardiograms and a virtual autopsy. Lockheed Martin hosts the military simulation area featuring cutting-edge flight simulators, driving simulators, student-built robots and other great military displays. Other partners will present virtual marksmanship trainers and show how they use simulations to keep our soldiers and pilots safe.

• Experience the virtual world through Virtusphere! Wear a wireless, head-mounted display while you walk or run immersed in a virtual environment set within a 10-foot hollow sphere that rotates freely in any direction according to your steps. Scenarios include a walkthrough of the human heart and a first-person shooter.

• Robot demonstrations like Exploding Bacon from Lockheed Martin’s First Robotics Team, robotic mazes courtesy of RDECOM or underwater robots thanks to Sea Perch.

• Step into the game by participating in rounds of outdoor laser tag provided by Battlefield Live on Saturday and Sunday only from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (first-come/first-serve, weather permitting).

• The ReBoot Lounge presented by Bright House Networks gives you the chance to hit the RESET button with a funky tech vibe. Spend time here to unwind, be heard with social media hubs powered by Road Runner Lightning featuring Wideband Technology, play classic arcade favorites like “Pac Man,” “Donkey Kong” and “Space Invaders,” engage in a game of foosball with up to 22 players and observe an art show on Friday night at 7 p.m. with works inspired by video games and created by the latest digital tools.

• Participate in game design workshops overseen by Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy and others. Plus, check out game development panels that give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse at every aspect of the production of some of your favorite video game titles.

• Experience the power of the Force with appearances by members of the 501st Imperial Legion, Star Wars Costuming Club on Saturday and Sunday only.

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