27 September 2010
Posted in Dr. Phillips CineDome

Starting Friday, October 1 and running to Sunday, December 19, the Orlando Science Center will show Ultimate Wave: Tahiti on Fridays and Sundays at 4 p.m. and Sharks on Saturday at 4 p.m. for only $10. This ticket will allow guests access to only the film, exhibits and science demonstrations are not included, and will be available for purchase after 3:30 p.m. on those days.

Don’t have time to commit to a full day of exhibit exploration, then come just for a film! Directed by Stephen Low, one of the industry’s foremost filmmakers, The Ultimate Wave Tahiti follows world champion surfer Kelly Slater’s quest to find the perfect wave.  Taking viewers on a journey to the scenic beaches of Tahiti, the film simultaneously exemplifies the contrasting concepts of surfing as a competitive sport and an ancient Polynesian wave-riding art.

With The Ultimate Wave Tahiti, Low’s filmmaking uses leading science expertise and the hands-on surf expertise of Kelly Slater to interpret related ocean science and serve a broader, multi-generational audience. Together with science and education elements developed in consultation with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists and educators, this film is geared to making a big splash with adventure-seeking giant screen audiences. See this film on Fridays and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau, SHARKS is a breathtaking new IMAX theatre film experience that offers audiences an astonishing up-close encounter with the Lions and Tigers of the Ocean. Come face-to-face with a multitude of shark species, including the Great White, Hammerhead, and Whale Shark. Witness sharks as they really are: not wicked man-eating creatures, but wild, fascinating and endangered animals that have been in existence since a million years before dinosaurs roamed the earth. See this film on Saturdays at 4 p.m.

26 September 2010
Posted in Press and Media

Premiering September 25 with Our Planet, Our Universe

Orlando, FL - September 17, 2010 - The Orlando Science Center and WFTV Channel 9 have partnered together to create the Severe Weather Center 9 interactive exhibit experience. This exhibit, presented by WFTV Channel 9, is a replica of the station’s weather center that is seen on television. Interactive multimedia presentations featuring WFTV’s Chief Meteorologist, Tom Terry, and the Channel 9 weather team explore the skills and technology at work to predict severe storms.

“We are excited to bring this exhibit to life,” commented WFTV Vice President and General Manager Shawn Bartelt.  “Our entire weather team has contributed to the content that includes everything from weather basics to how to become a meteorologist and even offers the visitor an opportunity to create their own weather forecast and deliver the weather on OSC TV for other visitors to see,” she continued.

This interactive weather display will be a featured component of Our Planet, Our Universe, which is an original exhibit on astronomy and earth science, developed by the Orlando Science Center. New interactive experiences from planetary rovers to black holes lets visitors explore such themes as Earth Wind and Sky, Planets and Portals, and Gravity, Waves and Warps. Together with returning favorites such as Science on a Sphere, the Hurricane Simulator, Make a Tornado, and Gravity Well, visitors will discover the dynamic forces that shape our planet, and our universe.

“WFTV Channel 9 has enabled us to engage people in scientific exploration by using the very relevant topic of our community’s weather,” said Science Center President and CEO, JoAnn Newman. “We all have a vested interest in meteorology. It’s a science that has a direct impact on our lives every day.”

 

26 September 2010
Posted in Press and Media

New Original Exhibit Promotes Earth and Space Science Through Hands-On Displays

Permanent Display Begins on September 25, 2010

Orlando, FL - September 20, 2010 - Our Planet, Our Universe is an original exhibit on astronomy and earth science, developed by the Orlando Science Center, which premieres as part of the Science Center’s permanent collection on September 25. The exhibit is a combination of new interactive experiences and classic favorites that provide hands-on exploration of the dynamic forces that shape our planet and our universe.

In addition, the Science Center has partnered with WFTV Channel 9 to create the Severe Weather Center 9 interactive exhibit experience, which will be displayed within Our Planet, Our Universe. This exhibit, presented by WFTV Channel 9, is a replica of the station’s weather center that is seen on television. This display was fabricated by the FX Group, the same designers that put together WFTV's actual weather center. Interactive multimedia presentations featuring WFTV’s Chief Meteorologist, Tom Terry, and the Channel 9 weather team explore the skills and technology at work to predict severe storms.

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22 September 2010
Posted in Cocktails and Cosmos

Cocktails & Cosmos Presents The Big Top for Big Kids

Cocktails, Magicians, Stilt Walkers, Comedians, Film Premieres and More!

It was some serious circus fun for the young at heart during Cocktails & Cosmos on Saturday, September 11. The event featured live entertainment and the premiere of Forces of Nature in the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Performers better known for big top antics than science demonstrations overtook the Science Park exhibit for Downtown Orlando’s most scientifically unique and socially inclined experience.

Guests enjoyed Corey Alexander, a stilt walking- balloon artist, who kept his audience smiling as he twisted balloons into crazy and colorful creations ten feet off the ground. They were amazed by the mind-boggling mystery of magician and mentalist Joshua Stenkamp and thrilled to the top-notch juggling and witty charm of master juggler “Cool Hands” Luke.

From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., guests enjoyed Happy Hour drink specials with full service cash bars and light hors d’oeuvres provided by Ember and Tuxedo Catering. They also sampled scrumptious cotton candy by the Candy Clouds Cotton Candy Company of Winter Park. Cloud spinners designed custom treats for guests while they grooved to the distinctive sounds and music of DJ Nigel John.

Following Happy Hour, guests experienced the premiere of Forces of Nature on the giant screen. In between films, they checked out the comedic stylings of the Droll Academy. This two-man improv variety show starred Adam Scharf and Dan Collins and featured honest and witty scene work intermingled with spontaneous music and fun characters.

Guests were also treated to the unique artistic vision of Painter Veronika Tuskowski and trips to the top of the Science Center for stargazing in the Crosby Observatory. Don’t miss the next Cocktails & Cosmos event, which will take place in January 2011.

20 September 2010
Posted in Dr. Phillips CineDome

The tornado is one of nature’s most jaw-dropping, violent storms. With the mix of damaging hail, rain, lightning and of course devastating winds, towns can be flattened within seconds. Before thunderstorms get a chance to fully develop, a shift in wind direction and speed takes place. Air moves upward through the thunderstorm eventually tilting the invisible rotation from horizontal to vertical. These winds can hit up to 250 miles per hour if the conditions are favorable enough. One time a motel sign was swept up, carried 30 miles and dropped in an entirely different state!

Forces of Nature, our new giant screen film, provides an eye opening, breathtaking glimpse of the world’s most destructive storms, explosive volcanoes and intense earthquakes. Come explore the chaotic, yet mystifying world of Mother Nature on our eight story, large-format screen. You’ll be blown away!

Video courtesy of National Geographic

20 September 2010
Posted in Our Planet, Our Universe

The sky’s sheer size and beauty takes our breath away, but what exactly makes the sky so blue? Due to a phenomenon coined Rayleigh Scattering, the spectrum of colors ranging from violet to red, either pass through or deflect off of the earth’s atmosphere, which is made up of mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Longer wavelengths of red, yellow and orange colors of the spectrum have little affect on these tiny particles that make up our atmosphere.  However, shorter wavelengths of blue are deflected and are scattered all around us, causing the sky to appear blue no matter where we look.

Our Planet, Our Universe: Earth and Space, opening as a permanent exhibit on September 25, 2010, will provide guests the opportunity to discover and explore black holes, Martian terrain and of course, why our sky is blue. Allow us to beam you up to enjoy the vastness of the cosmos, as well as the complexity of our fascinating planet.