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Spark STEM Fest Ignites Your Curiosity and Inspires Innovation!

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4-Day Celebration of All Things Science at Orlando Science Center's Spark STEM Fest

Presidents Day Weekend - February 17-20, 2023 Presented by UCF Office of Research

Otronicon has evolved with Spark STEM Fest coming to Orlando Science Center! When Otronicon debuted in 2006, Orlando Science Center knew they had something special. Over the years, this event engaged thousands with exciting STEM lessons wrapped in an unforgettable package. As Otronicon grew, they discovered that there was real educational power with connecting the public to industry through exclusive opportunities and innovative partners. This collaboration combined with a desire to ignite curiosity, inspire innovation and build community has become the foundation for the all-new Spark STEM Fest, which premieres Friday, February 17, and continues through February 20, 2023.

Spark STEM Fest builds on Otronicon’s success with capturing the public’s imagination through a fast-pasted, multi-day celebration, but focuses on the entire STEM field, not just technology.  Presented by UCF Office of Research, Spark STEM Fest resides at the crossroads of inspiration and engagement, stimulating fascination with STEM careers, encouraging meaningful interactions between the public and STEM professionals and creating dreams of a bright, new future.

 

This 4-day event features multiple exhibitors, workshops, and dynamic demonstrations, led by STEM experts to engage visitors of all ages, including the following eye-popping opportunities.

  • World Renowned Juggler and Engineer Greg Kennedy weaves science, engineering and art gracefully into a live show illustrating the physics at work during his kinetic creations. This show makes physics approachable through relatable stories and captivating demonstrations.
  • Learn about the Artemis Program and other current and upcoming NASA missions launching from our own backyard on the Space Coast. Act as an engineer in KSC's Exploration Ground Systems program and work with your team to build your own Mobile Launcher tower that can withstand the winds experienced on the launch pad.

  • Unlock the possibilities waiting for you in the world of coding! Led by Disney programmers and engineers, workshop participants will design their own software while discovering the essentials of computer science and software design.

Image of the Innovative Juggler
  • Get hands-on with expert-led workshops! Learn how to code like a pro, get flight lessons from Lockheed Martin or dive into the science of sharks. You’ll leave these workshops with a newfound skill and insight into different STEM careers.
  • Ready Player One? Race down Rainbow Road or join the Super Smash Bros Tournament during Spark STEM Fest with Powder Keg Games! Visitors can enter for a chance to win cash prizes and be proclaimed champion as they compete in various video games tournaments.
  • From LITERALLY cool liquid nitrogen demonstrations and foam explosions to animal encounters and meet and greets, enjoy shows and presentations from the creative minds behind our most popular events like Mess Fest, Astro Fest, and Science Night Dead.
Guests engaged in exciting interactive exhibits.
  • Flip for science by enjoying this live acrobatic show that is the perfect blend of education and fun! Watch as the duo from WeFlip teach basic science concepts and then demonstrate how they put them to work with acrobatics! They climb five stacked chairs and test Newton’s Second Law by dropping objects from great heights!
  • You don't have to be a rocket scientist to have fun with physics! Join the UCF Department of Physics to explore the physics behind energy conversion and storage. Don't worry if you aren't a physics whiz - these pros will help ignite the spark of curiosity in visitors of all ages with hands-on demos and easy-to-understand concepts. The Department is led by Dr. Joshua Colwell, who has led experiments that have flown on the Space Shuttle, suborbital rockets, parabolic airplane flights, and been performed on the International Space Station.
  • If it can be dreamed, it can be measured, and if it can be measured, it can be realized, says the digital geniuses from FARO, an imaging company that imagines a better, more insightful and capable world through 3D digital means and measurement technologies. Explore their vision as they share how they created a full life-sized a scan of our famous T-Rex Stan.
Image of We Flip - Acrobatic Science Live
  • John Collins is a master paper airplane builder and has amazed audiences on Conan O’Brien and shared his secrets with Wired Magazine. He has studied both origami and aerodynamics to design planes that set world records. He will be showing guests how to build many of his designs, including the one that broke the Guinness World Record by flying 226 feet 10 inches.
  • We have all now seen amazing projection mapping on a building and seen it change before our eyes to become something or be somewhere else. What if this object that we were projecting on was moved? What if the movement was not predicable? See demonstrations of dynamic projection mapping on a moving object and learn its secrets, thanks to the experts at 7thSense.

  • Discover all about sharks, our ocean and how you can help protect both with the passionate marine biologists from Minorities in Shark Sciences. They will display shark jaws, skin, skeletons and other specimens plus hosts games and activities to learn more about sharks and marine conservation. Check out shark dissections at scheduled times throughout the event.

John Collins a.k.a. The Paper Airplane Guy

Check out a full schedule of Spark STEM Fest events!

SCHEDULE

 

Experience Spark STEM Fest - without the kids during Science Night Live! 

Looking for a more grown-up way to interact with exhibitors, community partners, or thought-provoking guest speakers? 21+ are invited to a very special Science Night Live featuring Spark STEM Fest!

SNL is your ultimate destination for a get-together with science-minded friends or a fun date night out. This is your chance to experience our biggest event of the year in a casual, engaging atmosphere that is available for adults only. Science Night Live proves that there’s no age limit on curiosity!

LEARN MORE
A couple enjoying activities at science night live

Spark STEM Fest Hours: February 17 - 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

General Admission: Spark is free for OSC members, $24.00 for adults, $12.00 for seniors and students, and $18.00 for youth (ages 2-11).

SCIENCE FOR ALL - General Admission Access Program: If you have an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or WIC card with a State-issued photo ID matching the name and state as the card, you qualify for a $3 admission per person for up to six individuals.

For more information, please call 407.514.2000.

GENERAL TICKETS

Dinos In Lights Holiday Show – Playing through January 9

Add some sparkle to the holiday season and see some of your favorite creatures from the Cretaceous in a whole new light with Dinos In Lights at Orlando Science Center! Join STAN the T-Rex and his fossil friends in DinoDigs as they show off their twinkling talent in a festive display of music and light.

Each family-friendly show will begin every half hour and runs for four minutes, concluding with a wintry surprise. Be sure to see it multiple times on your visit as the experience is different from every angle. Please arrive several minutes before your preferred showtime as the doors will be closed during the performance.

Astrophotography in Central Florida: Capturing the Cosmos

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See (literally) out-of-this-world astrophotography in Central Florida 

Marvel at the wonders of the universe through the stunning space photography by nationally renowned Astrophotographer, and director of the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College, Derek Demeter. With his work featured in numerous astronomy and space publications, Mr. Demeter's prints show the breathtaking views that can be captured through a small telescope and digital SLR camera from right here in Central Florida! 

On display in Fusion: A STEAM Gallery, Capturing the Cosmos covers three major areas of astrophotography, all uniquely shot from Florida: scenic nightscapes that juxtapose the natural environment of Earth and the night sky, celestial neighbors we find within our Solar System, and wondrous deep-sky phenomena of colorful nebulae and expansive galaxies.

The Horsehead and Flame Nebula – Chiefland

Meet the man behind the lens: Derek Demeter

"Greetings stargazers! My name is Derek Demeter and I welcome you to the world of astrophotography. Ever since I was a little kid, I have had a passion for gazing up at the stars. I remember visiting the John Young Planetarium in Orlando when I was 6 years old and seeing a show about the planet Mars with my father and from that point on my obsession with astronomy began.

When I was in high school, I got my first ever camera and took photography classes and in college is where I was introduced to the world of astrophotography. I remember using the schools telescope to capture my first ever astrophotography of the Orion Nebula. 

A Sea of Stars – Canaveral National Seashore, New Smyrna

Eventually, I got a job at the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College and purchased a telescope of my own. These photos you see in this gallery are a result of the many years of trial and error and work needed to master the art of astrophotography in Central Florida. The photos I am sharing here before you tell a story of our universe from here on Earth to the distant objects in the cosmos.

I also hope this experience proves that Florida is a place for astronomy and that we can appreciate our dark spaces and seek refuge in that darkness. I hope these photos capture your imagination, unlocks a passion for the night sky, and encourages you to help preserve it for generations to come."

Make space at home!

Can't get enough space? From stargazing to stomp rockets, experience something new with one of these stellar activities! 

Learn something new! 

From science facts to science fiction, check out some exciting books about exploring space. They’ll have you imagining what could be next!

Books About Exploring Space for Any Planet Pioneer

Try something new! 

Space exploration requires more than brave astronauts. They won't get far without engineers to build their space crafts! Do you think you can build a rocket that could launch astronauts into orbit? Build your engineering skills with this DIY stomp rocket project!

3..2..1.. Blast Off to Fun With This DIY Stomp Rocket Activity!

See something new! 

Astronomy and astrophotography can be an expensive hobby, but the good news is you don’t need a telescope to enjoy the night sky! Our space experts here at Orlando Science Center have compiled the best stargazing tips for beginners, so you can enjoy the stars and constellations above Central Florida.

Top Five Tips To Begin A Stargazing Hobby

Life: Now Open – Join the Virtual Queue When You Arrive!

Now Open!

Life tells the story of conservation through the animals that share our planet. Through direct encounters within immersive environments that simulate various ecosystems and hands-on exhibit experiences, visitors can better understand how their actions affect all living things, both within Central Florida and beyond. We are all connected.

Animals are the storytellers of Life’s diverse habitats.
The exhibit focuses on three distinct world environments: Rainforest, Ocean and Swamp.

These areas feature hands-on experiential learning that vividly demonstrates our own interconnectedness with the natural world. Visitors can engage and be empowered to take positive action to conserve our natural resources and protect our fragile planet.

In order to accommodate as many guests as possible, Life uses a virtual queue for entry. A standby queue is not available for this exhibit. When you arrive, please join the virtual queue by scanning the QR code located on the daily schedule, and on signs throughout the building. Virtual queue times are limited, subject to availability, and not guaranteed.

Photos of two Sun conjures and a Golden Lion tamarin in the rainforest.
rainforest • selva

Step into the warm, lush landscape of the tropical Rainforest as you meander through this immersive exhibit. This temperature and humidity-controlled environment features free-flying birds of the rainforest, such as tanagers, honeycreepers, and blackbirds. Look to the canopy to see if you can spot a sleeping sloth or playful tamarin. Or simply relax to the sound of a 17-foot-tall waterfall cascading down into a pool filled with vibrant, freshwater fish.

Healthy rainforests have abundant biodiversity, driven by stable climate with high humidity, warm temperatures, and plentiful sunlight. The layers of height within the forest provide habitats for plants to grow and animals to thrive. Amazon rainforests absorb massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide us with oxygen that we, like other animals, need to breathe.

ocean • oceano

Swim on down to the Ocean gallery and come face to face with a 360-degree viewing area full of colorful reef fish and sleek, shimmering sharks. Here you can find amazing interactive exhibits that highlight the crucial role that our reefs play in the environment. From live coral displays to hands-on experiences, you can “get your feet wet” as a marine biologist and learn how sea stars eat and how crabs grow!

The ocean covers most of Earth's surface and plays a huge role in life on our planet. It produces much of the oxygen we breathe. It regulates our climate and drives weather patterns. Teeming with an amazing diversity of life, ocean waters also provide fishes and other sea life we eat. Coral reefs and seagrass meadow habitats connect to the vast ocean beyond. They serve as breeding places, nurseries, and feeding grounds for all sorts of sea life.

Photos of Bonnethead shark and Queen angelfish in the ocean.
Photos of a Provost squirrel and baby American alligator on tree branches.
swamp • pantano

The Swamp gallery features the iconic cypress swamp with towering cypress trees. Here, you can find Florida native species such as alligators and turtles taking a swim among the freshwater fish. Keep your eyes peeled and look up to see if you can spot squirrels running above your head through multi-dimensional tunnels. This area also features a presentation space for our beloved animal ambassadors, who will make regular appearances to teach our guests how to be active stewards of the environment.

Almost anywhere you go in Florida you can find swamps: wetlands where trees grow! Some swamps sprawl across low-lying floodplains. Other swamps trace the edges of rivers or are shaped like doughnuts. Swamps change with the seasons: covered in water during wet times and dry when rains are scarce. Vital to wildlife, swamps provide food, living space, and breeding places for birds, fishes, and others. Vital to us, swamps filter and purify much of Florida's water supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you arrive, scan the QR code located on the daily schedule, and on signs throughout the building. You will be prompted to select a time to experience Life, and tickets will be emailed to the email address you provide within 15 minutes.

Please be sure to check your junk folder if you don't see the tickets in your inbox. At your return time, proceed to the Life exhibit and have your virtual queue tickets ready to be scanned. Individuals or parties more than 30 minutes late cannot be accommodated due to capacity restrictions.

Our goal is to promote messages of conservation and sustainability through this exhibit and its associated programming. By providing an engaging and immersive experience - which includes interactions with our animal ambassadors – we will inspire a strong connection with the natural world and empower visitors to become more active stewards of our planet

Caring for animals for educational purposes has a positive impact on a visitor's knowledge of biodiversity and conservation. Engaging the public with our animals and their habitats creates a strong personal connection with visitors, which enables us to tell conservation stories that inspire people to become more active advocates for a safe and healthy world. Animal health, safety, and wellbeing, along with the safety of our staff, is always the highest priority of any animal-related efforts conducted by Orlando Science Center.

Orlando Science Center has a long-standing history of high standards, achievement and accreditation and we strive for this same level of commitment with our animal programs. We adhere to stringent animal care standards developed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to ensure the animals’ physical, mental, and social needs are met. We are currently enrolled in the Pathway Toward Membership program.

We partner with Winter Park Veterinary Hospital in Winter Park FL to provide 24 hour a day medical care. Each animal receives comprehensive health screenings which includes preventative medicine, dental care and nutritional counseling.

Our team is committed to quality and safety throughout all our programs, including subsequent accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. In addition, we retain membership in the American Camp Association (ACA) for guidelines related to our break camps, adhere to standards set by the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) related to our preschool programming and have achieved Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for our building’s focus on sustainability and conservation efforts.  

Orlando Science Center adheres to a responsible population management policy that ensures all animal acquisitions, dispositions, and transfers follow strict criteria and go through a thorough vetting process. 

Our animal ambassadors are attained through a multitude of pathways, including state regulated government agencies, animal placement programs, wildlife agencies that have deemed an animal unreleasable due to its inability to thrive on its own, or from other zoological institutes.

We prioritize animal transfer plans through Association of Zoos and Aquariums member institutions and follow cooperatively managed population programs via specific advisory groups and species survival plans.   

Orlando Science Center has a responsible population management policy that dictates where our animals come from and where they go. We are not a rescue organization and unable to accept any exotic animals, including those species currently represented in our collection. If you have an unwanted exotic animal, please contact Florida Fish and Wildlife’s Exotic Pet Amnesty program at petamnesty@myfwc.com or 888-483-4681.

For more information:

Please feel free to reach out to one of our animal care staff during your next visit or email us at life@osc.org.

Bonnethead shark swimming in the coral reef within the Ocean habitat in new Life exhibit.
Hoffman's two-toed sloth hanging from vines in Rainforest habitat in new Life exhibit.
Guests exploring interactive big book display about the Swamp habitat in new Life exhibit.
Overhead photo looking down into the water and cypress trees of the Swamp habitat in new Life exhibit.

This new exhibit is made possible thanks to substantial funding by the Orange County Mayor, Board of County Commissioners and the Orange County Tourism community. Thanks to their support and other generous donors, including presenting sponsor Dr. Sarah Layton, Orlando Science Center has created an incredible new experience to highlight the amazing diversity of life and make a case for active conservation. Layton, an Orlando Science Center trustee, made the largest individual gift in Orlando Science Center’s history to support this project.

Orlando Science Center is dedicated to helping create a stronger and healthier world by educating our visitors using iconic exhibit experiences. As a Gold LEED-certified organization, we have the passion to teach by example. Direct encounters with animals and interactive experiences that reveal key concepts create lasting memories and serve as a vivid, living resource to inspire others to protect this fragile blue orb we call home.

Food Heroes

Food Heroes Exhibit Presented by Orlando Health - logo of superhero outline within tomato silhouette

Located in the 4Roots Cafe – Level 1

Food might be the true universal language. We need it to sustain ourselves. We use it to comfort ourselves. It is often a singular reason for us to engage with one another.

Our current food system has many challenges. In this exhibit, you will uncover a group of people, corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions working hard to create a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy community-based food system, all in Central Florida.

This exhibit explores the interconnectedness of the food system, and those people fighting to make it more equitable, sustainable, and healthier for everyone.

4Roots Cafe - Level 1

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Check out the Building Guide to see a map and information for our current exhibits.

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Learn How to Become a Food Hero!

  • Use a robotic arm to understand farming automation.
  • Learn about pollinators through an experience featuring virtual butterflies.
  • Explore composting with interactive time-lapse videos of fruits and vegetables.
  • Check out the living wall highlighting the importance of vertical farming.
  • Watch a giant LED display with stories of 15 local food heroes. Discover how they are changing our world, from hydroponic gardens to culinary medicine.
  • See scheduled appearances by guest speakers and cooking demonstrations. Check the calendar for dates and times.
  • Engage with Food Heroes on your smartphone! A web-enabled app experience lets you create your own digital plant, which will then be shared on the LED Display for everyone to see.

This exhibit is inspired by John Rivers, of 4Rivers BBQ and the 4Roots team, and their passion for food sustainability. We enlisted a group of advisors, including the 4Roots and our presenting sponsor Orlando Health, to help us identify who is already working to make a positive impact around food insecurity and how we can get more people involved.

Food Heroes highlights various food and agriculture careers, beyond farming, that are having a growing impact.

Meet Our Food Heroes!

Orlando Health logo

Orlando Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization that serves the southeastern United States. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, the system was founded more than 100 years ago, and includes award-winning care for kids provided by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Food-Heros_Sponsors_440x330_4Roots .jpg

4Roots is an alliance of community stakeholders investing in a healthy thriving, sustainable, food system. 

Black Bee Honey logo

Founded in 2017, Black Bee Honey is a non-profit organization ran by young entrepreneurs from the Parramore and Holden Heights communities in Orlando, Florida. Through our nutritious honey we provide our community with access to food that has various health benefits and serves as a great substitute to sugar.

Edible Education Experience logo

Edible Education Experience – The Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen House & Culinary Garden empowers students and their communities through seed-to-table experiences.

Fleet Farming logo

Fleet Farming is a non-profit urban agriculture program of IDEAS For Us whose mission is to empower all generations to grow food to increase local food accessibility.

Harvest CROO Robotics logo

Harvest CROO Robotics holds the key to a sustainable food future that will benefit farmers and consumers of fresh produce. 

Health Empowerment Through Behavioral and Nutritional Initiatives logo

Hebni Nutrition’s mission is to provide culturally appropriate nutrition education and intervention strategies to prevent diet-related diseases. 

Orange County Public Schools logo

Ocoee High School’s agriculture program gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn more about agriculture and the food that they eat.

O-Town Compost logo

O-Town Compost has a two-part mission that aims at both reducing the amount of food waste going to Orange County’s landfill, and making compost to support the local food system. 

SyNRGE logo

The goal of SyNRGE is to identify technologies that were developed for producing plants in space and developing those for Earth applications. 

Uncle Matt's Organic logo

Uncle Matt’s goal was, and still is, to produce the highest quality juice, using only premium 100% organically-grown fruit that is free from synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. 

University of Florida IFAS logo

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. 

Urban Smart Farms logo

Urban Smart Farms was founded on a passion for changing the future of farming. By harnessing the power of aeroponics Urban Smart Farms is the perfect solution for farming at home or in an urban setting, using 90% less land and 98% less water. 

Valencia College Logo

Green Sky Growers by Valencia College is a rooftop aquaponic and hydroponic system that sits atop a three-story building in downtown Winter Garden. This rooftop system serves as an interactive classroom that teaches the community about sustainable farming. 

Thank You to Our Supporters

Presenting Sponsor:  

Orlando Health logo

Donors:  

Massey Services, Inc

Dr. Sarah Layton

Engineering & Computer Simulation (ECS)

Florida Blue

Programming Supported by:

Pabst-Steinmetz Foundation

Tiny Green Home

Tiny Green Home Tours
Level 1 – Outside 4Roots Cafe

This diminutive abode offers a hands-on experience through interactive displays that educate visitors on energy and water conservation measures, sustainability rebates, vehicle electrification, renewables, composting, food gardens and other efficiency methods.

It includes a functioning roof-top solar array and a rain barrel to collect and conserve water, among other green features visitors can add to their own homes.

Built by OUC, the City of Orlando, and Orlando Science Center, the 200-square-foot home hopes to increase sustainability education and awareness in Central Florida.

Outside 4Roots Cafe - Level 1

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Check out the Building Guide to see a map and information for our current exhibits.

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The Tiny Green Home is an educational resource showcasing the benefits of:

  1. Energy and water conservation
  2. Renewable energy
  3. Sustainability rebates
  4. Vehicle electrification
  5. Composting
  6. Growing your own food 
  7. Sustainability programs from OUC, the City, and the Science Center.

Part of the American Cities Climate Challenge grant, the $100,000 project is funded equally by OUC and the City, along with a $15,000 grant from The Natural Resources Defense Council.

Thank You to our Partners! 

To learn more about programs and resources, click to visit our partners below!

City of Orlando Logo
OUC The Reliable One Logo

Generous Support Provided by:

Little Diversified Architecture

View – Smart Glass

Tip Top Roofing

esaSolar

Rheem Manufacturing Company

Ferran Services

Thomas Lumber Co.

NovaCharge

Ovation Construction

4Roots Foundation

Landreth Lighting

Karndean Design Flooring

Rachio

Science Live

Scheduled Times  – Levels 1 - 4

Our exhibits are designed to inspire curiosity and exploration, our Science Live programs are designed to bring the exhibits to life.

Whether it’s a live show in the Digital Adventure Theater or an archeological interaction in DinoDigs, our live programs create the kind of impact that can last a lifetime.

Events

Every month, you can encounter something new and exciting at Orlando Science Center as we celebrate a different theme. Join us for a weekend event, and you’ll see the very best of our themed experiences all at the same time, as well as some event-exclusive programs! These events celebrate things like a movie’s connection to science, a special guest speaker, or a silly holiday. We hope to keep every visit as exciting as your first one!

Live Shows

Each time you see a live show at Orlando Science Center, you’ll be seeing a unique experience crafted exclusively for our guests. Whether you’re enjoying a large scale show in the Digital Adventure Theater or a new favorite at the Discovery Stage, you’re seeing something created by our team that brings you a science topic in an engaging and memorable way. We hope to inspire your curiosity with every show you watch!

Animal Ambassadors

Come face to face with some of the remarkable animals that call Orlando Science Center home. Our animal ambassadors boast impressive adaptations that delight and inspire guests of all ages. Join us as we work to protect these fascinating and important members of our ecosystem.

Early Childhood Programs

In addition to 11,000 square feet of exhibit space built to foster learning through play, KidsTown offers a range of scheduled programs designed to support the development of early STEM skills. Young guests and their caregivers can enjoy several programs each day that will allow them to practice making observations and connections, sharing their ideas, problem solving, stretching their creativity, asking questions, and much more. Our KidsTown staff can't wait to learn with you!

STEM Spaces

Learn practical skills to make your creativity come to life in The Hive: A Makerspace or practice your chemistry skills and lab safety in Dr. Dare’s Lab. These unique spaces offer some specialized experiences, so make sure to check the daily schedule during your visit.

Floor Programs

If you want to dive deeper into a concept that is highlighted in our exhibit spaces, then you'll definitely want to check out our Floor Programs, like the Guided Planet Tour, Dino Safari, and more! This is your chance to speak with a Science Live team member about your favorite science concepts and learn something new every time you join us!

Please note: Science Live stage shows might include low or no lighting at times, loud noises and pyrotechnics. Latex balloons may also be used in select shows.

Science Live schedules are subject to change. Pick up a Daily Schedule to see what’s happening during your visit.

View Calendar

Check out the Building Guide to see a map and information for our current exhibits.

Download Building Guide

Dr. Dare's Lab

Scheduled Times - Level 4

Welcome to Dr. Dare’s Lab, where you can explore science with hands-on experiments and activities for guests of all ages!

We provide everything you’ll need to perform each experiment in a space designed to get you excited about science with a different theme each month. The lab is open on weekends and select other times; see the calendar for more information on our hours of operation. 

Check out the Building Guide to see what’s happening during your visit. 

Download Building Guide

Open Experiments at Dr. Dare's Lab

Open Experiments

The main programming for Dr. Dare’s Lab. Come on in and have a seat at any open station, where you’ll be greeted by one of several different experiments and an iPad with instructions you can flip through to learn all about that activity.

Our experiments take complex science concepts and make them easy to understand and can be about anything from physics to chemistry and more!

Get hands-on with fun science experiments focused on physical and mental health.

  • Ancient Perfume Cone: Create an aromatic cone by measuring and mixing components.
  • Muscle and Bone: ​​Observe how muscles help move our bones.
  • Vitamin C: ​​Mix different substances to see how vitamins protect your body.
  • Minerals In your Morning Breakfast: ​​Extract iron from breakfast cereal.
  • Sensory Slime: ​​Make your own slime as a tactile and relaxing activity.

Explore the world of STEM and learn about its many fields for STEM Discovery Month!

  • Strawberry DNA Extraction: ​Extract DNA from strawberries to see DNA without a microscope.
  • Coding with Ozobot: ​​Code Ozobots to follow a path you create with colors.
  • Dino Displacement: ​​​​Using displacement, calculate how large a stegosaurus was.
  • Projectile Motion: Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
  • Strongest Shape: Compare how different shapes in architecture stand up to the forces of nature.
  • Like Magic: ​​Mix different chemicals to produce different colors based on pH.

Explore the science behind forensic investigation in our Superhero Forensics Lab.

  • Serology: ​​Compare blood samples against each other using chemicals to find out the victim’s blood type.
  • Fingerprinting: ​​Use ink and graphite to take your own fingerprint and learn about the different patterns of fingerprints.
  • Powder Analysis: ​​Compare samples of different household powders to find the match to the one found at the crime scene.
  • Chromatography: ​​Separate ink into its components to match the type of marker to the ink left at the crime scene.
  • Kastle-Meyer Test: ​​Create a color changing chemical reaction to figure out the tool used for the crime.
  • Soil Analysis: ​​Note the properties of different soil samples to match their origins to the scene of the crime.

Investigate nature up close with wildlife and aquatic themed experiments

  • Owl Pellets: ​​Dissect owl pellets to learn about owl diets and the anatomy of their prey.
  • Water You Talking About: ​​Measure different features of water to learn about the conditions in which different aquatic life thrives.
  • Temperature Mapping: ​​Use the heat sensing FLIR device and a hair dryer to observe how different surfaces retain heat.
  • Unseen World: ​​Use magnifying tools to get an up-close look at the different textures that can be found in nature.
  • Watch Out Watershed: ​​Observe how terrain and gravity affect how water flows.
  • Investigating Clouds: ​​Simulate the creation of clouds and observe their characteristics by making a cloud in a bottle.
  • Bear’s Shadow: ​​Understand how the angle of a light source creates shadow by mimicking a storybook.

Put on your goggles and get messy with creative and fun experiments in Dr. Dare's Lab.

  • Watch Out Watershed: ​​Observe how terrain and gravity affect how water flows.
  • Don’t Spill The Water: ​​Take the challenge and see how many drops of water can fit on the head of a penny.
  • Erupting Toilets: ​​Make an erupting mess with a vinegar and baking soda chemical reaction.
  • Gooey Oobleck: ​​Measure out and mix ingredients to create a non-Newtonian fluid.
  • No Mess Magic: ​​Observe how air's mass displaces water while you try to keep a paper towel dry.
  • Wacky Waterway: ​​Learn how cohesion and adhesion work together by creating a path for water to travel.
  • Sensory Slime: ​​Make your own slime as a tactile and relaxing activity.

Get crafty with hands-on science experiments in this month's Maker themed Dr. Dare's Lab.

  • Strongest Shape: ​​Compare how different shapes in architecture stand up to the forces of nature.
  • Can You Hear Me Now: ​​Make a telephone using a string and cups and see how sound travels through solids.
  • DIY Dye: ​​Crush dried cochineal and change its PH to create different colored fabric dye.
  • Fabric Burn Test: ​Identify a fabric based on a scrap by noting its properties when burned.
  • Invisible Ink: ​​Create an ink that disappears when dry but shows your message when heat is applied.
  • Popsicle Stick Catapult: ​​Assemble a catapult from popsicle sticks and launch pompom balls.

Learn about space in a fluorescent black light version of Dr. Dare's Lab with our Cosmic Lab.

  • Erupting Aliens: ​​Mix baking soda and vinegar to create an eruptive chemical reaction.
  • A Solid or a Liquid: ​​​​Measure out and mix ingredients to create a glowing non-Newtonian fluid.
  • Projectile Motion: ​​Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
  • Blacklight Phone Hack: ​​Turn your phone flashlight into a blacklight.
  • Crater Creation: ​Observe how the size and height of an object changes the force of impact.
  • Fluorescent Fun: ​​Observe the relationship between UV light and fluorescence by comparing different household chemicals.
  • Shooting Stars: ​​Learn why we see streaks of light when looking at a shooting star.

Learn about the engineering design process with this month’s engineering themed experiments!

  • Projectile Motion: ​​Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
  • Strongest Shape: ​​Compare how different shapes in architecture stand up to the forces of nature.
  • Popsicle Stick Catapult: ​​Assemble a catapult from popsicle sticks and launch pompom balls.
  • On The North Pole of a Magnet: ​​Observe how the different shapes of magnets affect magnetic fields.
  • Paper Bridge Challenge: Test how many pennies you can fit on different bridge designs before they fall.
  • DIY Water Wheel: Create a water wheel to power

Celebrate science literacy with fun experiments that explain big science concepts.

  • Measuring Clouds: ​See how much a cloud weighs by calculating different measurements.
  • Hungry Hungry Animals: ​​See how competition has shaped the way animals have evolved over time.
  • Fireworks: ​​Learn fire safety while creating colorful chemical reactions with an open flame.
  • Like Magic: ​​Mix different chemicals to produce different colors based on pH.
  • Projectile Motion: ​​Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
  • Unseen World: ​​Use magnifying tools to get an up-close look at the different textures that can be found in nature.

Investigate ghosts, mummies, and more with ghastly experiments in Dr. Dare’s Lab.

  • Ectoplasmic Goobleck: ​​Measure and mix cornstarch, water, and food coloring to make green Oobleck.
  • Slimer Attack: ​​Mix baking soda and vinegar to create a reaction with Slimer.
  • Ectoplasm Detector: ​​Turn your phone into a blacklight and see how it affects highlighter ink.
  • Ghostobots: ​​Learn to code Ozobot robots (disguised as ghosts) using sequences of color.
  • Poultrygeist: ​​Learn the process of mummification from start to finish with Fred the rubber chicken.
  • It’s Alive: ​​Use a neodymium magnet to create a spinning motor with just a battery and copper wire.

Learn about space in a fluorescent black light version of Dr. Dare’s Lab with our Cosmic Lab.

  • Erupting Aliens: ​​Mix baking soda and vinegar to create an eruptive chemical reaction.
  • A Solid or a Liquid: ​​​​Measure out and mix ingredients to create a glowing non-Newtonian fluid.
  • Projectile Motion: ​​Adjust launch angles to learn how the arch of a projectile affects its landing.
  • Blacklight Phone Hack: ​​Turn your phone flashlight into a blacklight.
  • Crater Creation: ​Observe how the size and height of an object changes the force of impact.
  • Fluorescent Fun: ​​Observe the relationship between UV light and fluorescence by comparing different household chemicals.
  • Shooting Stars: ​​Learn why we see streaks of light when looking at a shooting stars.

Explore the world of all things ancient with a mix of paleontology and archaeology themed experiments.

  • I Dig Cookies: ​​Extract chocolate chips from a cookie like paleontologists excavate fossils.
  • Mummify Fred: ​​Discover the mummification process with Fred the rubber chicken.
  • Tar Pit Oobleck: ​​Find out how the La Brea tar pits have preserved ancient fossils.
  • Dino Displacement: ​​Using displacement, calculate how large a stegosaurus was.
  • Soil Analysis: ​​Examine soil samples to determine the location of the T. rex fossil.
  • Who Dunnit: ​How did the dinosaurs go extinct? Create your own extinction event with baking soda and vinegar, and rocks and sand.
  • Nature of Dye: ​​Learn how ancient peoples made dye using cochineal.
Takeovers at Dr. Dare's Lab

Takeovers

Join us for a fun time in Dr. Dare’s Lab hosted by community partners! Takeovers mean that instead of our regular fare, you’ll get to try out activities chosen and run by a community partner or third party.

These activities are only around for a limited time each month. Stay up to date on Takeovers by checking out our calendar.

Workshops at Dr. Dare's Lab

Workshops

Workshops are a special type of longer form programming that explores an experiment or activity in depth. During a workshop, groups of guests will be given a task and are instructed on the techniques used to complete their activity. These generally take between 45 minutes to an hour, although durations are subject to change with each workshop, and are ticketed events.

Stop by the lab 15 minutes before the start time to collect your ticket. You only need 1 ticket per group. Space is limited.

Special Events at Dr. Dare's Lab

Special Events

Dr. Dare’s Lab is also open for certain special events! Whether you’re joining us for Science Night Live (OSC’s 21+ event), Break Camps, or something else, you’ll find exciting experiments for every member of the family!

Our Planet, Our Solar System

Our Planet, Our Solar System logo

Exhibit Hall – Level 4

Our Planet, Our Solar System offers a flurry of interactive experiences through which guests can experience weather and earth science. Shake things up in an earthquake simulator and find out what it feels like inside of a cloud!

WFTV 9 Severe Weather Center

Become a meteorologist for the day and show “those guys” on TV how it’s really done! This experience is a working replica of the actual set used on WFTV’s weather forecasts. Learn how to put a weather forecast together using the same tools a meteorologist, then you can practice delivering it in front of a green screen – putting you right in the action as WFTV’s newest chief meteorologist!

Science on a Sphere

Learn about Earth and space science through a dynamic visual presentation using a six-foot suspended sphere and state-of-the-art projection technology. Explore our planet’s dynamic landscape and weather, tour the solar system and understand the complex relationship between our planet and its sister worlds. 

Our Planet, Our Solar System - Level 4

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Check out the Building Guide to see a map and information for our current exhibits.

Download Building Guide

New Experiences!

Solar System Exploration Timeline Wall

This 10 ft high, 20 ft long wall highlights major milestones in space exploration starting with the launch of Sputnik in 1957 all the way to the current Artemis Program, which is returning humans to the Moon (including the first woman and first person of color).

Lunar Lander

Practice safely landing a spacecraft on the moon by balancing gravity, thrust, and fuel consumption.

Rocket Builder

Build and then blast off in your very own rocket! Select from components such as engines, fuel tanks, and payloads, all while learning how gravity, wind-resistance, and orbital dynamics affect your design.

Stellar Playground

Through exploration and play, visitors can combine and create massive stars and observe the process of stellar evolution by creating white dwarfs, neutron stars, and even black holes.

Explore Mars

Soar the skies of Mars piloting the Ingenuity helicopter to gather geological data and plot a safe path for the Perseverance rover to explore Mars.

Blast From the Past: The Early Days of Space Travel

The artifacts in this display represent a collection of early space exploration and travel spanning the 1950’s, 1960’s and early 1970’s. Some of these item’s pre-date humans’ first flight into space.