05 July 2012
Posted in Member News

Oh, say can you see the fun that was had at the Orlando Science Center during our 4th of July Daytime Member Event?! We had face painting and bubble waving, soda fireworks, and a special appearance by the Orange Blossom Chorus who sang patriotic songs. Members also discovered the science behind fireworks. Check out photos from the event below!

03 July 2012
Posted in NatureWorks

On June 24 the world lost a superstar and an icon; at least within the wildlife conservation community. It was not a movie star, rock star or a reality TV personality… his name was George, "Lonesome George", and he was the last Pinta Island tortoise on Earth. Pinta Island is the northernmost island within the Galapagos Archipelago.

The islands are of course famous for Darwin, finches, strange iguanas, and of course, giant tortoises. The Galapagos Islands are situated about 620 miles off the coast of Ecuador and until fairly recent times were some of the most remote and desolate islands in the world. The islands are millions of years old and volcanic in origin and all native species arrived on the islands soon after their volcanic beginnings pierced the ocean surface. Animals and plants must have arrived by sea or air. The reptile fauna of the islands have ancestors on the mainland South American continent and traveled via either direct floating in ocean currents or on natural rafts of trees or vegetation. Reptiles are well adapted to surviving weeks at sea without access to fresh water or food. In fact, the only two non-marine mammal species native to the islands are two bat and two rice rat species.

 

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02 July 2012
Posted in Tornado Alley 3D

More than 2,000 guests came out to meet filmmaker and storm chaser Sean Casey in a special appearance Saturday and Sunday at Orlando Science Center, and brought the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) with him!

Casey constructed the seven-ton, armored behemoth to withstand the destructive power of a tornado. He introduced the film he directed and starred in, Tornado Alley, as well as signed autographs, took pictures with guests and conducted question-and-answer sessions after the film showings.

In addition, the WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Meteorologists interacted with guests at the WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 exhibit, a working replica of the actual set used on WFTV’s weather forecasts. Patrons learned about the weather and even delivered forecasts while family watched them on TV! The team was on site both days for taking photos and signing autographs.

27 June 2012
Posted in Our STEM Crisis

You say you’re not a "science person”? That’s okay, many people feel the same way. They’re wrong though, and so are you. Granted, you might not be a physicist or a physician, you might not have even passed biology in middle school. But you are a science person. I know this because you don’t have a choice.

Science is all around us. It might not be as apparent in some places as it is in others, but it is everywhere. Think about the rush of technology and what you have to understand now that you couldn’t fathom before. Or, the advances in medicine that will help us live longer and healthier than we ever dreamed possible. Consider the fact that, not too long ago, a cross-country flight was a big deal. Today, commercial companies are travelling into space.

Think about the questions you ask – or better still, the questions your children ask. Think about the look of amazement in their eyes when they discover something new. The questions that they ask, the way they find the answers, science is right next to you.

As we move further into uncertain times, with no real firm answers in sight, one thing is for sure… science matters and will matter more than ever. Here’s the exciting news though, science is right next to you, asking those questions, exploring new things. And some day, they’ll be the ones with the answers.

So, your science homework for tonight is not to keep science at arm’s length. Embrace it. Set an example for it. After all, you are a science person.

26 June 2012
Posted in Tornado Alley 3D

Prepare to be blown away by the list of activities this weekend at the Orlando Science Center!

Filmmaker and storm chaser Sean Casey will be making a special appearance Saturday and Sunday, and he's bringing the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) with him! Casey constructed the seven-ton, armored behemoth to withstand the destructive power of a tornado. He'll be introducing the film he directed and starred in, Tornado Alley, as well as signing autographs, taking pictures with guests and conducting question-and-answer sessions.

In addition, the WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 Meteorologists will interact with guests at the WFTV Severe Weather Center 9 exhibit, a working replica of the actual set used on WFTV’s weather forecasts. Patrons can learn about the weather and even deliver a forecast while your family watches on TV! The team will be on site both days and can take photos and sign autographs.

All activities and film screenings are included with membership or a general admission ticket!

The complete schedule is as follows:

Saturday, June 30

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
TIV tours with Sean Casey at Entrance A

11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Tornado Alley screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

11:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
TIV tours with Sean Casey at Entrance A

12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Q&A with Sean Casey following screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Autograph and photo session with Sean Casey at Entrance A

2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Tornado Alley screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

2:10 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
TIV tours with Sean Casey at Entrance A

2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Q&A with Sean Casey following screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Autograph and photo session with Sean Casey at Entrance A

4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Tornado Alley screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

4:40 p.m. - 5:10 p.m.
TIV tours with Sean Casey at Entrance A

5:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Q&A with Sean Casey following screening in the Dr. Phillips CineDome

5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Autograph and photo session with Sean Casey at Entrance A

 

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26 June 2012
Posted in Summer Camps

Thinking about putting your child in summer camp? Have you considered the offerings at the Orlando Science Center? Michelle Wargo and Orange TV’s Café Around Town explore the fun activities kids can enjoy during a day at a Science Center summer camp!