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National Hummingbird Day

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Happy National Hummingbird Day! 

Wildlife — Conservation — Awareness

National Hummingbird Day is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in September. Hummingbirds are incredibly adapted pollinators, which makes them very important to their ecosystems. Three quarters of the world's flowers depend on pollinators like hummingbirds, insects, and bats for pollination! Join us to learn more about these incredible, tiny birds, how we can support our fluttering friends, and even make your own Hummingbird Feeder!

Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

The most common hummingbird seen in Florida is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which weighs approximately 1/4 ounce. That's as light as a penny!

Hummingbirds belong to the avian family Trochilidae. Trochilines often have iridescent feathers of metallic red, orange, green and blue. They are the only birds that can truly hover!

Hummingbirds use wicking action to draw nectar into their mouths using their long, narrow bills and tongues.

  • Of the 338 known hummingbird species, all can be found exclusively in the Americas; 16 are found in the United States; and 3 occur in Florida!
  • Hummingbirds can beat their wings up to 200 times per second, creating the humming sound that gave them their name.
  • Hummingbirds can suspend their bodies in midair, fly backwards, upwards, and even upside-down, much like helicopters.
  • Most hummingbirds will pollinate and feed from a wide variety of flowers, but they are mostly attracted to plants that produce:
    • Large amounts of nectar with substantial sugar content to sustain their high-speed habits.
    • Red and orange flowers or bracts.
    • Flowers that are long and tubular and point downward.
    • Long stamen that deposit pollen on the hummingbird's forehead.

What We Can Do to Help Hummingbirds

  • More than half of the hummingbird species live in the tropics, so purchasing shade-grown coffee is an effective way to protect hummingbird habitats.
  • In Florida, hummingbirds nest spring through summer, so having lots of tubular flowering plants and hummingbird feeders is helpful!
  • When shopping for a hummingbird feeder, choose one with red fixtures, multiple feeding stations, and a means to monitor nectar levels. It’s best to clean your feeder once a week with hot water.
  • Petroleum jelly is an environmentally friendly way to deter pests such as ants from invading your feeder!
  • Hummingbird food sources can be implemented easily by providing sugar water in hummingbird feeders and planting flowers, such as:
    • Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon viminalis)
    • Cigar Flower (Russelia equisetiformis)
    • Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
    • Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)
    • Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
    • Firebush (Hamelia patens)
    • Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis)
    • Firespike (Odontonema cuspidatum)
    • Horsemint (Monarda punctata)
    • Red Buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
    • Scarlet Salvia (Salvia coccinea)
    • Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana)
    • Soap aloe (Aloe maculata)
    • Starburst Clerodendrum (Clerodendrum quadriloculare)
    • Turk’s Cap Mallow (Malvaviscus penduliflorus and Malvaviscus arboreus)
    • Swamp mallow (Hibiscus coccineus)

Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeder

Supplies: 

  • 3 plastic bottles, empty with labels removed
  • 3 yellow drinking straws with a bend
  • 3 disposable plastic red plates
  • Electric drill
  • Hole punch
  • 12 gauge craft wire
  • Rubber band
  • White glue
  • Scissors

Step 1: Trace and cut out a flower shape on each red plate.

Step 2: Use the drill to create a hole in the top of each bottle cap that is just wide enough for a straw to fit through.

Step 3: Punch a hole in the center of each red plastic flower and thread each one onto the end of a straw. Insert the straw into the cap of a bottle and seal with white glue. Make sure the bend of the straw is just outside the cap opening so the straw bends at an angle as it comes out of the bottle. This is where the hummingbird will drink from!

Step 4: Arrange the flower so it is at the end of the staw's bend to attract the hummingbirds. Glue in place. (You'll need to remove the cap to add nectar to the bottles, so keep that in mind as you apply glue!). 

Step 5: Allow to dry overnight.

Step 6: Once set, wrap the wire around the neck of a bottle, then pull it up to create a hanger for the bottle.

Step 7: You can attach all three of your bottles together in a pyramid shape to create a larger feeding station! Use the rubber band to go around the top and hold the bottles together.

Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar

During hot, dry weather, when hummingbirds risk dehydration, it's best to make your nectar mixture no stronger than a quarter cup of sugar per cut of water.

Recipe:

  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1/4 cup white table sugar

Steps:

  1. Mix sugar with hot water until completely dissolved.
  2. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Add mixture to hummingbird feeder!
Donate to Orlando Science Center to continue supporting conservation awareness in Central Florida!

Reflections from an Orlando Science Center Volunteer

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Catalyst Youth Volunteer Nathien looks back on his 200+ hours with OSC 

Orlando Science Center is lucky to work with many amazing volunteers throughout the year, and hopefully our guests have had the chance to meet Nathien. Nathien is a recent graduate from University High School who started volunteering at OSC in 2019. He has since given over 200 community service hours to help us inspire science learning for life as a Catalyst Youth Volunteer! 
 
Nathien’s tasks as a Catalyst Youth Volunteer included performing science pop-up activities, facilitating learning experiences in the exhibit halls, and helping with supply prep, clean up, and customer service during special events. Nathien also participated in OSC’s virtual volunteering program during the COVID pandemic, where he created content that has been displayed throughout the Science Center!

 

We reached out to Nathien during Disability Pride Month to ask him about his experience as a volunteer, what memories stand out to him, and what tips he has for others who may want to volunteer!

OSC: Hi Nathien! Tell us a little about yourself. What got you interested in volunteering at Orlando Science Center? 
 
Nathien: 
Hi! My name is Nathien and I’m 20 years old. I graduated this year from University High School, and I love theater, sports, dancing, and being active! I have Autism, as well. 
 
I wanted to volunteer at Orlando Science Center because I wanted to get service hours, and I was hoping to gain work experience, too. It was the best decision I made joining the Youth Visitor Experience Team!

OSC: Looking back at your time volunteering, what stands out to you? 
 
Nathien: 
Volunteering made me step out of my comfort zone. I got to work on my social skills, and because I was always volunteering with a partner, I got to practice working on a team. Since starting to volunteer, I’ve been more social, made more friends, gained a lot of hours, and boosted my confidence. 
 
I remember one day I was doing a science pop-up activity and my partner told me they were nervous because they never really talked to or socialized with a lot of people before. We came up with a little skit together and practiced it to help us attract an audience. They had the biggest smile on their face when we got to perform it for people! 
 
After that, whenever I passed by, I would see them interacting with guests and socializing and having a great time! I remember they told me “Thank you!” and hugged me. I’ll never forget that. 

a photo of Nathie and Director of Volunteers

OSC: What tips would you have for someone who wants to volunteer at a place like the Orlando Science Center? 
 
Nathien: 
I learned a lot while volunteering that might be helpful for others. 
 
Number one: Be yourself! 
Number two: Pay very close attention to the training so you can do the best job possible. 
Number three: Be helpful! There are lots of things you can do as a volunteer, if you follow the rules and try to help, you will be a great teammate. 
 
OSC: Any last things you want to share? 
 
Nathien: 
Volunteering helped me grow as a person. I learned a lot and grew with other people on my team. Looking back, I just really gained a lot from the experience. Having Autism didn’t stop me from achieving my goal, and it doesn’t define who I am. July is Disability Pride Month, so just be yourself and have fun! 

The next time you see Nathien, or any of the hundreds of other wonderful, hardworking, and fun volunteers – please say hello!

 

Are you looking for an opportunity to help your community, work with fascinating people, or earn volunteer hours for school? 

Become a volunteer! We’re looking for eager, passionate team members who want to make a difference in their community! 

Adult volunteer during the Otronicon event interacting with guests.

Adult Volunteers

Donate your time to bring the Science Center to life in a way that complements your expertise and interests.

LEARN MORE

Youth volunteer helping summer camp students measure ingredients for an experiment.

Catalyst Youth Volunteers

Gain valuable skills and make new friends while giving back to the community. Opportunities are available year-round.

LEARN MORE

Orlando Science Center Awarded Major NASA Grant

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Collaboration will take STEM engagement directly to underserved students in neighborhood community centers, including a nationwide engineering design challenge

NASA has recently awarded Orlando Science Center (OSC) a three-year $795,000 grant to support a multi-year partnership with national reach that implements weekly STEM engagement for youth from underserved communities across the City of Orlando. The Science Center was one of only three institutions nationwide to receive funding in this cycle. As NASA presses forward with plans to return astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis missions and expand our understanding of the universe with the James Webb Space Telescope, the agency is working to ensure students across the U.S. can have the opportunity to share in the excitement of space exploration.

NASA has recently awarded Orlando Science Center (OSC) a three-year $795,000 grant to support a multi-year partnership with national reach that implements weekly STEM engagement for youth from underserved communities across the City of Orlando. The Science Center was one of only three institutions nationwide to receive funding in this cycle. As NASA presses forward with plans to return astronauts to the Moon through the Artemis missions and expand our understanding of the universe with the James Webb Space Telescope, the agency is working to ensure students across the U.S. can have the opportunity to share in the excitement of space exploration.

Orlando Science Center has launched Neighborhood Science, an initiative focused on providing high-quality STEM education for multiple days each week in afterschool programs and community centers within underserved neighborhoods. The first Neighborhood Science program will feature a STEM lab in the Grand Avenue Community Center in Orlando’s Holden Heights neighborhood. Through consistent and authentic STEM learning, this program will help address the rising demand for STEM careers in Florida and the intense underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM fields across the country.

The NASA award will support a collaboration between OSC, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Swampworks, and the City of Orlando’s Grand Avenue neighborhood community center. Content will be in alignment with ARTEMIS and NASA’s Communication Themes (Humans in Space & Moon to Mars). It will also create and launch a new engineering design challenge for teams that can be scaled nationwide in year 3. This project will enable participants to work together to authentically contribute to NASA’s ARTEMIS mission using virtual engineering platforms like TinkerCAD, real-world materials and supplies, and evidence-based engineering designs. Participating youth will create a solution to a problem identified by NASA KSC Swampworks that astronauts engaged in the ARTEMIS mission may face as they live in space or travel from the Moon to Mars.

“We are excited to partner with the Orlando Science Center and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Swampworks to bring a STEM lab directly to our young residents at the newly renovated Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “We are grateful for such partnerships and collaboration to ensure our young residents have more opportunities to learn, grow and thrive in the City of Orlando.”

NASA’s TEAM II grant program provided substantial multi-year funding to only three informal education organizations nationwide during this cycle. Projects were selected with the goal of helping to inspire the next generation of explorers through STEM learning – and to expand student participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Informal education institutions, such as science museums, planetariums, libraries, and zoos are uniquely positioned to reach students, including those who are historically underserved and underserved in STEM fields.

NatureWorks is Under Construction

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Orlando Science Center is breathing new life into NatureWorks! 

NatureWorks is currently closed to the public while we make way for Life, a new exhibit on nature and conservation premiering spring 2024.

We understand that you may have some questions about this transition, so please read on to learn more!

Where are the animals?

What is the meaning of Life?

Life is an exciting new exhibit that will take guests on a journey through three unique habitats. Through hands-on activities and animal encounters, guests will learn how they can positively impact and protect life all around our changing planet.

Photo by Courtney Shapiro

How long will it be under construction?

Design and production of an all-new exhibit experience is a time-consuming process, and our team is working with world-class exhibit designers to make sure this one-of-a-kind opportunity is just right. Life will be premiering at the Science Center in Spring 2024.

Where will the animals go?

While all our animal encounters happen on the exhibit floor, we have several areas behind the scenes where we care for our critters so none will be displaced during this transformation. A few of our friends are moving to new residences at partner zoos, aquariums, and science centers, but many of your favorite animal ambassadors will remain to help us engage and educate visitors.

Will there still be animal encounters during construction?

Yes! The animals in our care will remain active ambassadors for the Science Center through animal encounter experiences and meet and greets around the building. We also have presentations and programs starring our animals so you can learn even more!

Will the Cypress tree and swamp still exist?

You won’t have to say “see you later” to our gators! Florida wildlife and environmental conservation are very important to the Science Center. The iconic swamp will be upgraded and be featured as one of three unique habitats in Life, which will include our gigantic and beloved Cypress tree plus some new features.

Will Life introduce new animals?

We feel the best way to tell the story of our changing world is through the animals that call it home. Get ready to make several new friends when Life premieres spring 2024. Stay tuned for exciting updates to be unveiled along the way!

Photo by Roberto Gonzalez

STEM Surfboard Lesson for Kids • The History and Science of Duke Kahanamoku

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Dive into the history of Duke Kahanamoku with a history and STEM surfboard lesson for kids

You've probably heard the term "The Big Kahuna" in reference to an important person, thing, or objective. But where does this term come from? This Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're diving into the history of the original Big Kahuna - Olympic Medalist, and the Father of Surfing - Duke Kahanamoku with this history and STEM surfboard lesson for kids of all ages!

 

While surf, sun, and swimming have become synonymous with the Hawaiin Islands, this has not always been the case.

At this time, Hawaii was in the midst of many cultural and governmental changes. The expansion of Christianity and foreign missionary influences were having a major impact on Hawaiian heritage and traditions such as surfing. By the end of the 19th century, foreign missionaries had almost erased surfing - or the act of riding waves - from the Hawaiian Islands.

This is where Duke Kahanamoku rides in!

The Big Kahuna was born in Haleʻākala in 1890. He was an excellent surfer, 5-time Olympic Swimming Medalist, actor, and proud representative of his native land. He and a group of fellow surfers even saved the lives of eight after a wave sank their 40-foot boat!

His Kahanamoku Kick swimming technique, superior surfing, and all-around positive passion gave Duke the opportunity to share his skills with the world. He began participating and teaching in surfing exhibitions around the world, going on to become the first person to be inducted into both the Surfing Hall of Fame and the Swimming Hall of Fame.

Sure enough, surfing started to become popular in Hawaii again! Despite the emerging designs including lighter, hollow boards, Duke preferred his own surfboards to be made from koatree using traditional Hawaiian methods, bringing his roots back into the sport. His natural abilities and love of the sport led him to become the legendary surfer known as “The Big Kahuna” and the “Father of Surfing.”

As we reflect on Duke’s life and accomplishments, let’s also look back at his culture and childhood. Duke came from a well-known family that ruled several kingdoms. This gave him a deep appreciation and understanding of Hawaiian culture, which he fought for throughout his entire life. In 1959, when Hawaii became the 50th US State, Kahanamoku was officially named the State of Hawaii Ambassador of Aloha.

There is a statue of Duke in Hawaii near the beach where his ashes were spread. He will forever be loved by the people of Hawaii and looked at as a hero. Because of his talents and passion for surfing, he is known for giving Hawaii a new dimension of international stature, stating that, "he was the soul of dignity."

He is still well loved in his native home of Hawaii, but he is also beloved by surfers everywhere. Not only was he a hero, a great person, and a pioneer-- he was just an all-around good person who fought for Hawaiian culture and surfing.

This summer when you’re hitting the waves with your surfboard, think about the origin, and thank Duke for making surfing what it is today. Surfs up!

a statue of duke kahanamoku in hawaii

Expand with an activity! 

 

Whether you're hitting the beach, the pool, or creating a tropical getaway in your own backyard, add a little science to your summer with you this surfing STEM lesson for kids! 

Surfboards can come in all shapes and sizes and are made out of different kinds of materials depending on the surf. Using materials you can find around the house and a little creative flair, learn about the science of surfboards with this easy DIY activity! 

Surf's Up!
a photo of small colorful foam surfboards

A Letter from an OSC Events Intern

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A Letter From An Events Intern

In late 2021, I was searching for an internship position in Central Florida to gain more experience in the events industry. After contacting countless businesses and companies, the Orlando Science Center’s Meetings and Events Department reached out to me to offer an internship position with their team. Reflecting on all the events I helped facilitate and the in-depth knowledge I have gained as an events intern, I am confident when I say that interning at the Orlando Science Center is one of the greatest decisions I have made.

The events industry is vast. It ranges from corporate meetings to weddings to trade shows. Although the Orlando Science Center mostly hosts weddings, it does bring in many different types of events including fundraisers, meetings, and corporate galas, just to name a few. As a meetings and events intern, I have learned many tips and tricks as well as best practices that will undoubtedly prove to be beneficial in my professional endeavors, no matter what sector of the events industry I pursue.

This internship opportunity has not only been skillfully enriching, it has also been outright fun. All events and weddings are different, which is why I love them. Every time I come in for my shifts, there is always something new to do. For instance, I once found myself building a couple’s Harry Potter Lego set for their wedding day decorations! If you enjoy hands-on activities and inputting your own creative touch, you will love interning at the Orlando Science Center.

Live Happy Studio
Katie Fletcher Photo

As part of the Meetings and Events Department, I have gained extensive event production abilities by creating contracts, submitting work orders, developing event production schedules, and so much more. This internship also pushes you to develop your interpersonal skills with all types of personnel including staff from other departments, your supervisors, and event vendors. Talking about vendors, this position has helped me become more familiar with our local Central Florida vendors and distinguish who are the top service providers in the City Beautiful.

Vendors are crucial in all sectors of the event industry so acquainting myself with experienced businesses and being able to distinguish quality service will definitely be fruitful in the long run. This image below shows MJ from Junction 88, one of the preferred entrainment providers at the Orlando Science Center. He dressed up in Jedi cosplay for a Star Wars-loving couple! As an intern, you truly will be able to differentiate those highly dedicated vendors, like MJ, who go above and beyond.

All in all, putting everything that the Orlando Science Center has taught me into words is simply not possible. You learn how to implement the right lighting for events, how to facilitate vendor load-in and load-out to minimize waiting, what a standard wedding timeline looks like, and overall, how to exceed a client’s expectations by creating the most phenomenal event for them. I would recommend interning with the Orlando Science Center’s Meeting and Events Department in a heartbeat because I am confident that you will love it as much as I did.

Interested in joining the OSC team?

We are looking for highly passionate and dedicated people to help support our mission of inspiring science learning for life. Orlando Science Center offers a variety of employment opportunities which vary from entry level positions to supervisory and management roles. 

Browse Our Job Listings

Local Teen Scientists Compete to Save the World at Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition

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From fighting climate change to saving bees, local teen scientists are changing the world!

To compete in the prestigious Dr. Naleson Ying Science Competition, each entrant must be a Central Florida high school student and pursue a research project that has the ultimate goal of benefiting humanity. This year, each finalist’s research had an environmental focus, from cleaning up microplastics in the oceans to monitoring methane emissions to combat climate change to protecting and sustaining bee populations. In addition to the grand prize winner, each finalist received $500 to continue their research.

Ella Pilacek, a sophomore at Oviedo High School in Seminole County, has won the top prize in the prestigious Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition at Orlando Science Center. Her research project, which was focused on proving that bees could be encouraged by Pavlovian conditioning to pollinate specific plant species, won a scholarship of $5,000, a $1,000 award for her science teacher, and an additional $1,000 for their school.

Pilacek was named winner during an awards ceremony at the Historic Dubsdread Ballroom on Sunday, April 24, following a day of presenting her findings to judges on Saturday, April 23, at the Science Center. This year, the competition and the awards ceremony were held in person for the first time since 2019. The previous two years, they had been conducted virtually due to the pandemic. Since 1999, Dr. Nelson Ying — local scientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist — has partnered with Orlando Science Center to celebrate outstanding student scientists through his creation and sponsorship of this competition.

Ella Pilacek - OSC Ying Competition Winner holding trophy

Meet the Finalists!

Kyra Henriques, Oviedo High School, Seminole County

Microplastics have potential to harm health and her research could lead to ways to easily extract them from aquatic environments to combat pollution. The chemical properties of ferrofluids contribute to their binding to microplastics, which could facilitate magnetic extraction of microplastics.

Kyra Henriques - OSC Ying Competition Finalist holding trophy

Lavanya Natarajan, Viera High School, Brevard County

Landfills emit methane during waste decomposition, but large portions of this potent gas escapes undetected, fueling global warming. She developed a system to monitor methane emissions in real-time, which could help reduce greenhouse gases by 50% by 2030.

Lavanya Natarjan - OSC Ying Competition Finalist holding trophy on stage

Varun Madan, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orange County

Honeybees are extremely important to our natural ecosystem due to their role as an essential species of pollinator. This project involved creating a probiotic treatment mixture made from lactic acid bacteria and a type of machine learning technology to help honeybees fight off a harmful gut parasite.

Varun Madan - OSC Ying Competition Finalist holding trophy

Atreya Manaswi, Orlando Science High School, Orange County

Hive beetles are an invasive pest and a danger to bees, a very important pollinator species. This project built on his previous research that suggested beer was extremely effective for attracting and trapping small hive beetles. He investigated the attractiveness of a volatile oil blend that was fabricated by isolating key odor compounds found in beer. Trapping small hive beetles can ensure protection and survival of beehives.

Atreya Manaswi - OSC Ying Competition Finalist holding trophy

Pilacek’s winning research supported using Pavlovian conditioning with bees so they would follow specific scents to plants that aren’t their usual food sources. The next step in her research will be to test it in the field, using these scents to attract bees to endangered plant species, which would encourage pollination and combat habitat fragmentation. Previous winners of the Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition have gone on to continue their research at top universities, compete in national science competitions and ultimately pursue exciting STEM careers, including positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Ying is a longtime supporter of Orlando Science Center. After sponsoring numerous exhibits and serving on the Science Center’s board of trustees, he decided to invest in the long-term impact of our mission to inspire science learning for life. In 1999, he and volunteer Fred Curtis launched the Dr. Ying Science Competition with Orlando Science Center to celebrate and inspire exemplary science students to use their expertise to address real-world problems. Ying’s son, Nelson Jr., now oversees the competition with Curtis in collaboration with Orlando Science Center. They continue to engage and mentor young people to leverage their passion for science to make the world a better place.

Community Scientist Movements You Can Contribute to

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Add to Scientific Research Projects as a Community Scientist!

There are thousands of brilliant scientists with PhDs and decades of experience who are on the cutting edge of science and technology. But that doesn’t mean we can’t all do our part in pushing the field of science further! Zooniverse is an online collection of scientific projects that everyday science enthusiasts – also known as community scientists – can take part in.

There are numerous different ongoing experiments that require the eyes, ears, and minds of the masses. Want to join the fight against antibiotic resistance? Or perhaps you want to further the research of penguins and their environment? You can even help astronomers find ripples in the very fabric of spacetime! These and even more fantastic projects are taking place right now, and they need YOU to become a citizen scientist to help out!

Check out some of the exciting projects you can help with below, or visit the main Zooniverse website to explore more ways YOU can become a community scientist!

Out-of-this-world astronomy!

 

Galaxy Zoo 

There are hundreds of billions of galaxies in our observable universe, waaaay too many for astronomers to classify on their own. This is where you come in! Analyze actual photos of distant galaxies that few humans have ever seen, and help us to better understand our universe in the process.

Planet Four

In this project, scientists can study pictures of Mars’ southern polar region to determine seasonal changes. Helpers will mark CO2 vents as fans or splotches to help understand how Mars’ seasonal pattern works.

Field Work

 

Notes from Nature 

This project allows you to explore the hand-written notes of historical botanists. Help modernize and digitize the important work that scientists from hundreds of years ago embarked on.

The University of Wyoming Raccoon Project

Look at pictures of raccoons trying to access food from a puzzle box! Using these pictures, citizen scientists will use special tools to identify what type of animal is onscreen to improve the project’s algorithm. The algorithm will help researchers study the behavioral patterns and traits of our favorite “trash pandas!”

Hummingbirds at Home

Using the Audubon Hummingbirds at Home app, you can create your very own “patch” to study hummingbirds and their activity. The patch can be your backyard, your porch, a local park, or any area you’d like! By studying hummingbirds and the nectar they collect, you can help scientists study the impact of global climate change!

iNaturalist

Have you ever seen a plant or animal and wondered what it was? There's an app for that! The iNaturalist app not only helps you identify new organisms, but hare your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. All you have to do is observe, point, and click! You can download the free app for Apple or Android devices.

Making Change

 

Power to the People 

Close to 1 billion people live without electricity worldwide but fixing this has proven to be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. The only way to solve this problem is to train an AI to identify homes in rural areas but training such a complex algorithm requires the help of hundreds of people... people like you!

Anti-Slavery Manuscripts

Guests will review handwritten correspondence between 19th anti-slavery activists and turn them into text that can be more easily read by teachers, students, historians, and artificial intelligence programs.

We hope you enjoy these citizen scientist projects. Thank you for making a difference and furthering scientific research!

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Get a round up of our latest activities and ideas delivered straight to your inbox so you don't miss a thing!

Find out when we release new resources by following us on social media!

 

Follow us on social media for even more science fun including fun facts, games, behind-the-scenes photos, and more!

 

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Support OSC At Home

In these ever-changing times, it is our pleasure to adapt quality Orlando Science Center experiences to engage with everyone while they are safe at home. Please consider supporting our operating fund to ensure we can continue developing resources today and well into the future. Thank you for your generosity and support!

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STEM Starts Here: Orlando Science Center Preschool

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Learn and grow with Orlando Science Center STEM Preschool! 

STEM starts here at Orlando Science Center! A few spots remain for three-year-olds in Orlando’s oldest and most prestigious STEM preschool. Act now so you don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity for your early learner. Since 2009, Orlando Science Center’s trained preschool educators have nurtured young children while building critical 21st-century skills in a fun and safe environment.

Students benefit from a learning space that includes hands-on activities, plus the content-rich STEM experiences available only at Orlando Science Center. Every facet is explored as a learning opportunity. Storytime can use the “Three Billy Goats Gruff” as a basis to explore bridge building or arts and crafts to encourage students to invent a solution for a problem in their lives.

Introducing STEM concepts within the preschool learning environment reduces the barriers of entry found later in the life. Students are excited, rather than intimidated, by these subjects and their confidence with STEM concepts stays with them as they progress to kindergarten and beyond. Orlando Science Center has also created professional development for preschool educators so they can bring hands-on STEM learning into their own classrooms.

a preschool childand teacher excited about the success of a science experiment

Over the past decade, Orlando Science Center’s preschool has graduated hundreds of confident, inquisitive learners. Our team has created a learning environment unmatched by any other preschool in the region. Teachers ignite the curiosity of their students and present challenge-based activities created to nurture skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. 

Orlando Science Center’s STEM preschool fills to capacity quickly so don’t delay. Enroll your child now to provide them with a learning environment unmatched by any other preschool. Three-year-olds enrolled for this Fall will be guaranteed a spot in our VPK program when they turn four. Contact Reservations at 407-514-2112 or classes@osc.org for more information or to arrange a tour of the Preschool.

Learn More

Licensed by the Department of Children and Families – Childcare Center  C09OR0729

Voluntary PreKindergarten Provider (VPK) – Early Learning Coalition of Orange County

Open to any child and family regardless of race, ethnicity, faith or creed

 

a preschool boy finger painting

She Can STEM • Opportunities for Girls Scouts in Central Florida

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Orlando Science Center creates STEM opportunities for local Girl Scouts

Innovation is a collaborative process. The best ideas, inventions, discoveries are not created by a single person, but rather by a group of people with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences. This is one of the many reasons that diverse representation in the STEM workforce is crucial to us all. Although there have been strides of progress over the years, women are still vastly underrepresented in most STEM careers.

At Orlando Science Center, we strive to create prosperity in our community that enhances lives. Working towards gender equity is a crucial step in achieving this goal, including exciting new initiatives like our new STEM Explorers program, which will provide engaging STEM opportunities for Girl Scouts! 

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce: Women in STEM: A Gender Gap to Innovation say that:

  • Although women fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs.
  • Women with STEM jobs earned 33 percent more than comparable women in non-STEM jobs – considerably higher than the STEM premium for men. As a result, the gender wage gap is smaller in STEM jobs than in non-STEM jobs.
  • Women hold a disproportionately low share of STEM undergraduate degrees, particularly in engineering.
  • There are many possible factors contributing to the discrepancy of women and men in STEM jobs, including: a lack of female role models.
a group of Girl Scouts collaborating on a STEM project

As a recent recipient of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP)’s IF/THEN grant program, we found opportunities to address this issue head-on with our STEM Explorers program. To help inspire change and to bring about opportunities for access and representation in STEM, NGCP created the IF/THEN program “to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics" (STEM).

The STEM Explorers Program provided Girl Scout troops of all ages opportunities to visit the Science Center, where they experienced hands-on, STEM discovery labs, allowing the girls to learn about incredible female scientists (IF/THEN Ambassadors), gain relevant career exposure, and 21st-Century skills such as collaboration and problem-solving.

Troops were also given customized Exploration Guides, created by the Orlando Science Center education team in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of Citrus, to lead them through interactive exhibits throughout the Science Center. As the girls explored the Science Center, they worked to earn Girl Scout Badges aligned to focus areas such as math, science, and nature.

Check out this incredible program in action thanks to our partners at Girl Scouts of Citrus! We were honored to host these incredible STEM Explorers, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!

Want to inspire a young scientist in your life? Check out the links below for inspiration: