Spark STEM Fest is part of a celebration of technology and innovation that has been thriving for more than two decades at the intersection of inspiration and engagement. Beginning as Otronicon, Spark has fostered meaningful connections between the public and professionals and builds excitement for our shared possibilities of the future.
The event showcases cuttingedge science and technology through engaging displays from diverse organizations and individuals, highlighting career pathways in industry and academia, and reflecting the rich diversity of our community.
Spark STEM Fest features fun STEM exhibitors and exciting
hands-on activities and demonstrations led by STEM experts to engage our visitors of all ages.
Spark STEM Fest Goals:
Raise awareness of the value of STEM in everyday life
Help bridge the STEM literacy gap
Work towards equitable access in STEM Encourage exploration and pursuit of STEM careers
Learn more at www.osc.org/spark
FEB 14 - FEB 17, 2025
Do you know where this photo was taken in the Science Center?
The first five people to use the QR code to submit the correct location will win an OSC pinback button!
OSC UPDATES
COMMUNITY BUILDING AT ZORA
Orlando Science Center participated again this year in the annual ZORA! Festival in Eatonville ZORA! is America's longest running arts and humanities festival celebrating the cultural contributions of people of African ancestry The festival celebrates the life and legacy of author Zora Neale Hurston
This year, we worked alongside our community partners to provide hands on STEM activities throughout the K-12 Activity Zone Joining us were the Central Florida Astronomical Society, Florida Fossil Hunters, N U T S Robotics, and Cattlebots Robotics! Shoutout to the staff and volunteers who made memories with hundreds of families this weekend!
WELCOME, BABY SKINKS!
Our adult skinks, Raven and Gryffin, have recently welcomed two new babies! The babies will join the skinks' circulus, which is a social group that is more common amongst skinks than most other reptiles.
From February 6 through February 11, guests will have the opportunity to help us name the new skinks during the animal show in Life!
The adult skinks at the Science Center are named after Harry Potter houses, what will our guests suggest for the new little reptiles?
SPARK WINNER
Dominic Andrade
Lauren Bansberg
Ella Binyam
Mac Bodden
Aurora Calma
Carissa Clay
Emily Frese
Regan Gatz
Yami Gonzalez
Beth Hall (2)
SPARKS
Caprice High
Vanessa Hollingsworth
Arilda Jackson
Suzanne Klugel (2)
Luke Lanaris (2)
Katyiana Leblanc
Kirby Lee
Yangelis Martinez
Raquel MacDermant
Valentine Murphy (2)
OF THE MONTH
LAUREN RAGAN
Lauren's nomination starts off with, "Lauren is a data wizard!" She enters daily attendance for our Education grants, creates Tessitura orders, books and coordinates with external partners, and helps to create reports for numerous projects
Her nomination notes her "amazing attention to detail" and how she often finds new ways to do old tasks while streamlining the process.
Recently, Lauren booked all of the United Arts field trips and actively coordinates our OUC program, which has 600 workshops for this year!
The nomination read, "Her hard work and dedication are beyond appreciated. She is always willing to step in, help, and find solutions to challenges."
Liz Osiecki
Amanda Paneque (2)
Austin Purvis
Ivan Santana
Nicolas Sotack
Jess Spelman
Sue Sweetland
Jenny Volz
Patrick Walsh
Angela Wiles
FEB 1 SAT
Curtis Rising Stars
FEBRUARY
SPARK MONTH
FEB 1 & 2
SAT & SUN Bank of America Weekend
FEB 8 SAT Curtis Rising Stars
FEB 8 SAT
Kids Night at the Museum
February is celebrated nationally as BlackHistoryMonth!
Learn more about this month's theme, "African Americans and Labor" by visiting www.asalh.org/black-history-themes
From explosive live shows to ooey gooey science experiments, this month culminates in our biggest event of the year - Spark STEM Fest!
FEB 1 & 2 SAT & SUN ZORA! Festival (offsite)
FEB 14 - 17
FRI - MON Spark STEM Fest (incl. SNL)
8
FEB 21 - 23
FRI - SUN Immerse Festival (offsite)
Meerkats 3D
Meerkats 3D takes audiences on a journey with a family of meerkats as they cope with the twists and turns of life in the Kalahari Desert. The film begins as matriarch Klinky’s most recent litter emerges from the burrow for the first time.
Klinky and her family, including elder children and regular babysitters Ms. Bean and Harry, must endure turf wars from rival families, attacks from vicious predators big and small and internal family turmoil.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
Every single Birthday Party staff we encountered was kind and knowledgeable What a wonderful program and value.
You were the highlightof our Orlando trip. Better than Disney!Thankyou so much.
In 1971, John Francis witnessed an oil spill in San Francisco Bay which affected him greatly Because of what he saw, he made the decision to stop using motorized transportation Since then, he has visited the majority of the United States and has traveled the length of South America, mostly on foot. His nickname? "Planet Walker."
John Francis is a global environmentalist, and his unique personal journey involves the intersection between human dynamics and its effects on nature He founded a non-profit environmental awareness organization called “Planetwalk” . It's purpose is to promote environmental education and responsibility and a vision of
world peace and cooperation through a network of "Planetwalkers".
“Geography is an outer experience we can physically see and interact with. The inner portion, however, is a journey that some of us go on, and one that we may go on without actually traveling very far. It is a journey of self-discovery.”
- John Francis
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