24 September 2012
Posted in NatureWorks

Scientists may have found an answer to global warming: sea otters.

That’s right! A new study shows the heaviest members of the weasel family act as a control against sea urchins, which feed on kelp forests.

Why is this important? Kelp forests absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas and a contributor to global warming (the gradual rise in Earth’s temperature). Sea urchins munch on kelp forests, decreasing the amount of carbon dioxide absorbing kelp. Sea otters have a positive effect biomass by eating sea urchins. Even the threat of sea otters is enough for the urchins to hide in underwater crevices and survive on plant scraps.

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21 September 2012
Posted in Press and Media

Return To A Galaxy Far, Far Away When Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination Premieres at the Orlando Science Center

Out-of-this-World Exhibit Debuts at the Orlando Science Center

Saturday, October 13

ORLANDO, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2012) – Could humanoid robots and vehicles that hover above ground, once limited only to the fantasy worlds of Star Wars, become a reality? Find out beginning Saturday, Oct. 13 when the Orlando Science Center premieres an innovative exhibition, Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination! Get up close with C-3PO, build a Droid and learn what it might take to live on the planet Tatooine as you explore the connection between the science of the Star Wars universe and that of the real world. The exhibit will be on display until Sunday, April 7.

Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. and presented by Bose Corporation©, the 10,000 square-foot exhibit explores the fantasy technologies depicted in the Star Wars films, as well as the real science behind them, and the current research that may someday lead to real-life versions of the technologies seen in the film series.

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is the first exhibition to display costumes and props from all six Star Wars films with real-world technologies. The exhibit includes extensive video interviews with filmmakers, scientists and engineers, and hands-on components, including two large Engineering Design Labs, where visitors can build and test their own speeders and robots.

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21 September 2012
Posted in Member News

They came. They danced. They rocked it!

The one and only Mr. Richard performed during a members-only breakfast at the Orlando Science Center. About 200 people enjoyed coffee and bagels as the ever-popular musician played the kiddos' favorite hits. The capacity crowd clapped, stomped and bopped to songs like "Woo Woo Truck," "Butterfly Day" and "Pooch Smooch."

Check out the photos below to see the mommies, daddies and little buckaroos enjoying a musical set that only Mr. Richard can deliver!

19 September 2012
Posted in Try This At Home

Nothing up my sleeve but simple science and a deck of cards. Presto, chango! Watch science work its magic.

12 September 2012
Posted in Try This At Home

Got hard water? Let cabbage tell you for sure. This ordinary veggy – with a little help from chemistry- is sure to give some colorful results.

10 September 2012
Posted in Cocktails and Cosmos

This past Saturday, we hosted the “adult swim” version of the Science Center with Cocktails & Cosmos. The event featured everything great about the Science Center including all four floors of exhibits with some added surprises: the giant screen film premiere of Space Junk, a Q&A with former NASA astronaut Bob Springer, and exclusive, hands-on programming – all just for grown-ups! Check out the photos of this one-of-a-kind offering.