Have you ever wanted to visit a place where learning and fun go hand in hand? For over 65 years, the Orlando Science Center has been the place to go for those with curious minds and for those eager to learn! With four floors of activities and exhibits to explore, this is the perfect place for families to visit! Here are some of the many fun exhibits that you can experience at the Orlando Science Center!
Bionic Me
In this incredible exhibit, you will control a computer using the power of your mind, try out exoskeletal super-strength, and even see how a bionic eye works! There are over a dozen interactive exhibit pieces! This includes a race against a Paralympian, where you will learn about the design and biomechanics behind the creation of sports prosthetics.
You can also take a hearing test and see how you can use technology to hear sounds beyond human hearing! One of the coolest exhibit pieces in Bionic Me is where you can use the power of your mind to move a ball!
KidsTown
KidsTown offers 11,000 square feet of fun and activities for children ages 7 and under. Activities in this area include imaginative roleplaying, teamwork, and creative play. These are all a very important part of a child’s cognitive development. Children can star in their own play, learn how oranges travel from tree to table, and experiment with water to learn about cause and effect. There are a total of seven zones in this area including Orange Grove, Isaacs Family Climb Time, Toddler Town, Drip Drop Splash, KidsTown Studio, Harriett’s KidsTown Theatre, and Explore It!
Life
Life is an exhibit coming in late 2023! It will teach guests all about the message of sustainability and conservation. There will be live animal interactions and hands-on displays. The goal of this exhibit is to help visitors better understand their role in protecting our ecosystem. We can do this by learning more about animals and their changing habitats.
Food Heroes
In this exhibit, guests will explore the complexities of our food system and how we can all make it more sustainable and healthier! This exhibit will also teach guests about the people, corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions that work hard to create a more sustainable and healthy community-based food system in Central Florida.
Guests will also learn how to become a “food hero” by using a robotic arm to understand farming automation. They’ll also learn about pollinators through an experience with virtual butterflies, learn about composting with interactive time-lapse videos of fruits and vegetables, and watch a giant LED display with stories of 15 local food heroes. Many times, during the year, there are also guest speakers and cooking demonstrations by local chefs.
Kinetic Zone
In the Kinetic Zone, you can explore the fundamentals of forces, learn about the principles of physics, and see another side of engineering! Here, you can launch air rockets, experiment with circuits, and lift yourself off the ground with different pulley systems! There are even some fun thrilling experiences here such as, the Balance Challenge where you can test your STEM invention on an 18-foot zip line. There is also a really fun Coaster Challenge where you can use pipes to build your dream roller coaster!
Fusion: A STEAM Gallery
This exhibit is all about STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. One of the exhibit’s main purposes is to show guests that art and design are essential components in the science world. The Fusion Gallery has many art-science pieces including an interactive, visual theremin; a one-dimensional dungeon-crawler game; a motorized color projection piece; and a multi-layered tribute to the victims and survivors of the Pulse tragedy.
DinoDigs
The DinoDigs exhibit allows guests to travel back to prehistoric times and encounter dinosaurs, reptiles, megafauna, and more! There are giant fossil replicas of dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures that are showcased in their prehistoric worlds. There are also authentic fossils of ancient reptiles and mammals (some were found right in Florida)!
Our Planet
Our Planet is an interactive experience where guests can learn about weather and Earth science. You’ll learn about the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere to discover how they interact to make life possible on Earth. There is an earthquake simulator, and you can also discover what it feels like to be inside of a cloud!
If you have ever wondered what it was like to be a meteorologist, now is your chance! Guests can experience a working replica of the actual set used on WTFV’s weather forecasts. You can put the forecast together using the same tools as a meteorologist and even practice delivering it in front of a green screen!
Flight Lab
Flight Lab is an exciting experience where guests aged 13 and older can climb into a cockpit and experience the life of a pilot! The Flight Lab uses real-world mission scenarios to teach standards-based STEM concepts. There are 13 flight simulator stations in the lab and guests will use Oculus Rift VR headsets to learn how to communicate and work as a team while piloting the aircraft. The missions in this exhibit are meant to be experienced with a teammate, or “copilot”. However, the Open-Flight missions can be done solo.
Observatory
The Observatory is one of the coolest parts of the Orlando Science Center. Guests can take an up-close look at the cosmos using Florida’s largest publicly accessible refractor telescope! There is a domed observatory that sits atop the Orlando Science Center, and it provides incredible views of planets, stars, and other celestial objects. Guests can view the beautiful nighttime sky, the incredible sun, and even Downtown Orlando from the powerful, 10-inch lens of the refractor telescope.
All images by Orlando Science Center
Overall
The Orlando Science Center is an amazing place to take your family! There is something here for everyone to enjoy. The exhibits here are out-of-this-world and are very educational, and is an experience that should not be missed. If you’re looking for another science exhibit in Orlando, be sure to check out Wonderworks as well!
Have you ever visited the Orlando Science Center?
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