Category Archives: What’s New

Inspiring Tomorrow’s Space Explorers

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A Message from Orlando Science Center's President and CEO        

This summer we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing. It’s been five decades since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the lunar surface and it remains one of humankind’s greatest achievements. Orlando Science Center in particular was born out of the space race. In the fifties and early sixties, the space race was heating up at Cape Canaveral and our institution was launched to reinforce the importance of science learning and encourage young people to reach for the stars.


Inspiring curious minds has always been at the forefront of our mission. As we look to the future with a return to the moon and a staffed mission to Mars, Orlando Science Center’s role in promoting science literacy and encouraging future space explorers has never been more important. We have a number of exciting programs planned to commemorate the anniversary of stepping foot on the moon, and we are using this milestone to ignite curiosity and initiate discussion.


If you’re looking to honor the Apollo missions this summer, I encourage you to include Orlando Science Center in your plans. On July 20 and 21, we will host our big celebration, Moon Fest, a collection of live shows, films, and activities that will thrill all ages. Enjoy themed activities in Dr. Dare’s Lab and The Hive: A Makerspace, including making your own lunar colony or creating a constellation using LED lights. Our flight lab will host a Virtual Reality astronaut flight experience, and you can see the new giant screen documentary, Apollo 11, in the Dr. Phillips CineDome. You can also see the Neil Armstrong biography, First Man, in the digital adventure theater, plus a 3D documentary on space junk.


Central Florida has an important connection to the space race and Orlando Science Center is honored to be part of that legacy. This summer gives us a great opportunity to share the story of the moon landing as we all prepare for what comes next. The astronauts who will walk on Mars one day are currently in elementary school, which means one of them could be exploring our exhibits right now.


It is the duty of every science center to ensure that our experiences launch visitors on a journey to find their true potential. By presenting activities designed to encourage skill building, creativity and critical thinking, science centers are supporting formal education and helping propel people on a journey that could lead all the way to the cosmos. The sky is no longer the limit.


Sincerely,

JoAnn Newman

President and CEO of Orlando Science Center

Volunteer Appreciation Week

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April 7–13 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week!

To celebrate our incredible volunteers and their contributions, we're highlighting the different types of volunteers at OSC. From working one-on-one with guests to learning about the Science Center behind-the-scenes, our volunteers work to ensure our guests always have a memorable experience at the Science Center. We’d like to take the time to showcase the extraordinary work our volunteers do each and every day.

Adult Volunteer Program

Have you seen one of our many team members wearing a blue volunteer T-shirt? These fantastic adult volunteers have donated more than 54,900 hours of their time to the Science Center in just one year! Our adult volunteers have diverse backgrounds and unique roles at the Science Center, but they share one important trait: they’re dedicated to inspiring science learning for life. Their guidance and enthusiasm have helped shape the lives of thousands of guests who’ve visited the Science Center.

Catalyst Youth Volunteer Program

Young community members also shine at the Science Center! Our Catalyst Youth Volunteer Program helps youths develop collaboration and teamwork, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and many more skills for college and career success. Visit The Hive: A Makerspace to learn new skills from these future leaders, or wave to them as they help facilitate our exhibits!

Internship Program

Our Internship Program provides college students with the in-depth experience and skills they need to succeed in their future careers. From animal care to special events, interns work closely with museum professionals to gain valuable experience that can’t be found inside a classroom. Their innovative ideas, enthusiasm and desire to forward the Science Center’s mission, not only in themselves but in every guest that walks through the doors of the Science Center.

To learn more about any of these volunteer programs, or to apply, click the button below.

Five Interesting Facts About The Great Bear Rainforest

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Great Bear Rainforest is now playing in the Dr. Phillips CineDome!

Run wild with the magnificent creatures that were once thought to be a myth! In Great Bear Rainforest, discover spirit bears, the captivating white-coated North American black bears that have fascinated indigenous people and scientists alike for centuries. Although these bears may look like polar bears, this giant-screen film takes place in the wild coastal islands of Canada. Journey with the spirit bears, sperm whales, wolves, sea lions, and countless other species that call this uncharted land home. With rare insight into the lives of the First Nations people that share a home with these creatures and the contributions of guest narrator Ryan Reynolds and screen composer Hans Zimmerman, Great Bear Rainforest brings these never-before-seen wonders to life.

With so much to learn about one of the last wild places on Earth, we broke down the top five facts you need to know before seeing the film.

  1. What are spirit bears? These magnificent animals can only be found in the Great Bear Rainforest, where one in 10 of all bears are white. They get their beautiful color from a rare genetic trait. Although indigenous people have protected them for centuries, it wasn’t until the 20th century that scientists even discovered these bears.
  2. Filming took three years, but was 30 years in the making – Ian McAllister, the director of this stunning film, has called the Great Bear Rainforest home for quite some time. For over 30 years, this award-winning author and photographer has documented and advocated for the protection of the Great Bear Rainforest.
  3. First Nations People supported the production – This film couldn’t have been made without the permission, knowledge and guidance of the First Nations people that have been living in the Great Bear Rainforest for centuries. You’ll become inspired by the moving stories of the next generation of young leaders beginning their lifelong journey to protect the rainforest.
  4. This film is about more than the bears – Don’t let the name of the film fool you! Great Bear Rainforest focuses on the incredible journeys of many fascinating creatures that roam the land and sea. Dive into the deep blue with sperm whales, run with wolves, play in the coastal waters with sea lions, and even join a feeding frenzy with humpback whales.
  5. It has a star-studded production team – A project as exceptional and exciting as Great Bear Rainforest attracted some of the most talented and celebrated people in the film industry. Enjoy poignant and humorous narration by Ryan Reynolds, an award winning-actor and avid environmentalist. Become immersed in the story with a breathtaking score by Hans Zimmerman, an award-winning composer who has scored more than 120 films. Feel the dedication and love put into every part of this film by the incredible production team.

Great Bear Rainforest is now showing in the Dr. Phillips CineDome at Orlando Science Center. Please pick up a daily schedule upon arrival for show times, or click here for our online theater schedule.

10 Ribbiting Facts About Frogs

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March 20th is World Frog Day!

Did you know our NatureWorks exhibit is home to several different species of frogs? For instance, Frogzilla (pictured above), an invasive Cuban Tree Frog is just one of many frogs you can meet and learn about in NatureWorks. 


In celebration of these hoppy creatures, here are 10 ribbiting facts about frogs! 


  1. American Bullfrogs can leap up to six feet!
  2. In the wild, a Poison dart frog’s toxin is created from their diet.
  3. Smokey jungle frogs can make a variety of different calls depending on their mood. They make a melodic sound when courting, but when threatened they will make a loud scream to distract predators.
  4. Unlike many species of frogs, Lemur frogs can bask in the sun for extended periods without drying out.
  5. Amazon milk frogs are named for the poisonous, milky-white fluid that they secret when threatened.
  6. Though the Golden poison dart frog is deadly if eaten, its natural predator, the Fire-bellied snake, has developed a resistance to the frog’s poison.
  7. Despite their name, Canyon tree frogs prefer to perch on boulders and rocks close to water rather than trees.
  8. American bullfrogs are the largest of all North American frogs. They can grow to be eight inches long and can weigh up to one and a half pounds.
  9. Lemur frogs can change color! When they are active, mostly at night, their upper parts turn brown. When they are resting, they turn green to blend in with the leaves that they sleep on.
  10. Milk frogs are some of the best climbers in the Amazon. They use their specially adapted toe pads to cling to branches.

Be sure to stop by and say hello to Frogzilla and all the other wonderful creatures that live in NatureWorks on your next visit to Orlando Science Center!

Orlando Science Center Continues to be a Leader in Sustainability

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Clean energy is key to a sustainable future for all. Since 2009, Orlando Science Center has continued to lead by example for environmental sustainability in Central Florida.  Since 2010, the Science Center has been certified with Gold LEED status by the U.S. Green Building Council.


The benefits for green buildings are plentiful, as they cost less to operate, save energy, water, generate less waste and support human health. To achieve a LEED Certification, buildings must implement practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.  Buildings are then rated by the number of sustainability opportunities they implement. The Science Center’s gold status was based on our dedication to continued innovation regarding water conservation, energy efficiency, and overall sustainability.


Starting in 2009, the Science Center underwent a major retrofitting that made us the first non-profit in Central Florida, and the first retrofitted building in the area to become Gold LEED certified. The organization’s sustainability efforts have included an energy-efficient HVAC system, LED lighting upgrades, a full roof replacement, installation of a 45Kw solar power system, a building-wide recycling program and composting program to eliminate food waste.


On a global level, green buildings have the largest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Green buildings can result in energy savings of 50% or more and limit global temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius by 2050. Green buildings like OSC have reduced CO2 emissions by 34% in the U.S. and have kept millions of tons of trash out of landfills.


 “By using our green building as an example of how to address sustainability in our daily lives, we are able to have a meaningful discussion with our visitors about conservation,” said President and CEO JoAnn Newman. “It is our goal to create more experiences that will share a positive sustainability message and help empower others to be stronger stewards of our planet.”