Orlando Science Center was recently invited to bring hands-on STEM learning to the thousands of men, woman, and children living on the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Our mission is to inspire science learning for life and our team is dedicated to creating iconic experiences that spark curiosity and wonder for curious minds of all ages.
Our organization’s Education Outreach Team is providing hands-on learning within and beyond our organization’s walls throughout the year, often traveling throughout the state to facilitate programs at schools and community centers. However, this instance is the first time the team has left the country to provide educational programs.
Orlando Science Center hosted activities for students and families for several days, from June 7-10, including workshops at the base’s school, several family events and one evening exclusively for adults. Activities included a variety of hands-on activities, including engineering challenges, drone demonstrations, telescope viewing, and a mobile planetarium show. Families stationed at Guantanamo Bay are not allowed to leave the base so Orlando Science Center’s team provided welcome entertainment in addition to essential STEM learning.
Outreach is an important part of our organization’s mission because not everyone has access to a science center in their community. As we do our part to help fill the pipeline for future STEM workers, it is important to reach as broad an audience as possible. Young people engaged by hands-on STEM experiences help build important skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and collaboration as well as learn about pathways to exciting careers.
By bringing a little of Orlando Science Center to those who wouldn’t experience it otherwise, our team has helped unlock a universe of possibilities. You never know who you might inspire during a live science show or by teaching someone how to program a robot to accomplish a task. Such experiences can ignite a passion for knowledge that can fuel a lifetime of discovery.
If you'd like to view the photo album from our trip, please click on the photo below:
