Spring 2023 SCOPE Magazine

TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE.

Your support through the United Arts Collaborative Campaign helps provide critical access to educational programming, meaningful experiences, and the opportunity for young minds to indulge their curiosity and creativity, turning their ideas into reality.

Make a gift to Orlando Science Center today through the Collaborative Campaign and United Arts will make your support go even further with a 15% match! unitedarts.cc/osc

Spark Curiosity, Spark Innovation, Spark STEM Fest

Orlando Science Center is an educational organization that leads with the fun, excitement and wonder of science. Often, we provide that spark that encourages people to learn more or dive deeper. We also instill important life skills, starting with building confidence and helping youth develop a science identity and sense of belonging.

One example of this is our annual Otronicon technology expo. It has engaged thousands over the years with exciting STEM lessons wrapped in an unforgettable package. When it debuted in 2006, we knew we had something special, and as the event grew, we discovered that there was power in the concept of connecting the public with industry through exclusive opportunities and innovative partners. As Otronicon matured, we also realized that we could do more by using this concept to capture the public’s imagination around the entire STEM field, not just technology.

This year, we launch Spark STEM Fest on President’s Day weekend. We have taken the dynamic multiday showcase that was the cornerstone of Otronicon and blown it up. Spark STEM Fest has more partners, more live shows, and an even greater focus on how STEM can change the world. We have also created a stronger showcase for what our team does best. We make science come alive and that energy will pulsate throughout every corner of our building.

We will be hosting some truly incredible partners highlighting amazing content like Greg Kennedy, engineer and famed Cirque de Soleil performer who uses juggling to explain physics, and demonstrations by John Collins, world record holder for the longest paper airplane flight as seen in Wired magazine and on Conan O’Brien’s show. In addition, there will be shows, demos and more from the creative minds behind our most popular events like Mess Fest, Astro Fest, and Science Night Live. Spark STEM Fest will ignite curiosity in careers, empower meaningful connections between the public and professionals, and build excitement for the possibilities that lie ahead.

The journey of discovery will begin at this event and continue throughout the year and beyond.

Sincerely, PRESIDENT/CEO

OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

Orlando Science Center is dedicated to helping break down fears surrounding intimidating topics in order to encourage more curiosity, innovation, and discussion. We want to strengthen people’s skills in the scientific method so they can apply critical thinking skills to make informed decisions regarding newsworthy science topics.

The need to promote the importance of these skills inspired OSC to launch Science Matters, a public information campaign that increases confidence in science literacy. Sharing trusted resources online and providing on-site activities are some of our ways of helping people understand the impact of science on today’s major issues.

So, what is a major issue we face every day that might seem intimidating? Climate change. Building critical thinking skills and science literacy will help us better understand complex connections and interactions between us, our planet and our ecosystems.

Take hurricanes, for example. Are they caused by climate change? No, but they are affected by it. For instance, Hurricane Ian was one of the most devastating and destructive storms Florida has ever endured. One of the top five strongest storms ever to make landfall here, Ian was the deadliest hurricane to strike us in nearly 100 years.

Many factors contributed to Hurricane Ian, so, alone, the storm can’t tell us much.

But when we compare data from Ian to data from other major storms throughout history, a pattern becomes clear.

“You need to look at trends,” states Kim Prather, Distinguished Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry at University of California, San Diego. “And there is definitely an increase in the number of major weather-related disasters occurring over recent decades.”

Experts agree that while climate change cannot be credited with causing a storm, the historical changes in surface temperatures, sea level, and rainfall clearly indicate that climate change contributes directly to the strength and size of a storm.

Andrew Dessler is the director of Texas Center for Climate Studies and professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M. While discussing Hurricane Ian, Dessler said, “We are 100% sure that the storm surge was more damaging because it was riding on a higher sea level. We are very confident that global warming is also causing more rainfall from hurricanes because warmer air holds more water.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides regular assessments of the scientific basis of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. In its most recent Synthesized Report (2014), the IPCC stated clearly, “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”

Humans can no longer afford to continue debating the existence of climate change. So, what can we do? We can always reduce, reuse, and recycle – those wellknown staples of sustainability. But there are other ways to help, if you’re able!

Save energy at home by switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. Turn the lights off when not in use and wash your clothes in cold water. Walk, bike, or take public transportation instead of driving if that’s an option for you! Carpooling is another great option, reducing traffic - and consequently, time spent idling.

Eat more fruits and vegetables and limit your meat and dairy consumption. Plantbased products generally emit fewer greenhouse gases in production, and they need less energy, land, and water. Eat your leftovers! Throwing away food also wastes the resources and energy that went into growing, producing, packaging, and transporting it. Plus, when food rots in the landfill, it releases methane – a powerful greenhouse gas. Use what you can and compost the rest!

To support better public understanding, we are launching a new Science Matters campaign to address climate change, conservation, and sustainability. We’re in this together! We’ll be here every step of the way to answer questions and provide resources so that we can make a difference - together.

FEBRUARY 17-20, 2023

THE EVOLUTION OF INNOVATION

Innovation is an ongoing process that never ends. Just as the engineering design process forms a circle with no beginning and no ending, innovation is constantly changing, improving, and morphing into something new and improved. It’s our goal that our largest and most attended event of the year continues to evolve alongside the innovators we feature each year.

That’s why Otronicon, our annual, multi-day celebration of all things STEM, has evolved into Spark STEM Fest. Presented by the UCF Office of Research, Orlando Science Center’s Spark STEM Fest resides at the crossroads of inspiration and engagement, stimulating curiosity in STEM

careers, encouraging meaningful interactions between the public and STEM professionals and inspiring dreams of a bright, new future for all involved.

This 4-day event will feature multiple exhibitors, workshops, and dynamic demonstrations, led by STEM experts from our region to engage visitors of all ages. Leading up to Spark STEM Fest, local organizations, and businesses will host events around Central Florida, like behind-the-scenes tours, Q&As with scientists, or nature walks to encourage conversations and inspire curiosity about STEM. During our event, individual scientists, engineers, and researchers can show off their research through intentional, meaningful interactions with members of the public.

IGNITE YOUR CURIOSITY

With this transformation comes the opportunity to highlight an even broader range of STEM disciplines and inspire curious minds of all ages through hands-on learning experiences and power connections with STEM professionals. From innovative technology to wildlife encounters and environmental initiatives, attendees will continue to experience first-hand how science, technology, and innovation are a part of everything we do. Much of our programming in 2023 will explore climate science and conservation as we launch

a new Science Matters campaign and pave the way for the opening of Life at the end of the year. Join us for educational and engaging presentations and live shows as we explore humans’ relationship with our planet and our fellow flora and fauna. Maybe one of our animal ambassadors will even stop by to say hello!

Just like its predecessor, Otronicon, Spark will offer engaging exhibitors, hands-on workshops, and more. Spark promises to inspire wonder in visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Click here to learn more about Spark STEM Fest.

DISCOVERY DAYS

Because one of our goals with Spark is to work towards equitable access in STEM, we wanted to ensure that the festival was accessible beyond our walls. So, from February 1 – 16, our community partners will host an exciting variety of STEM-centric events around Central Florida called Discovery Days. These experiences are designed to provide opportunities for families and curious minds to participate in science activities across our community. Some programs will be for kids and families, while others will be just for adults.

SCIENCE NIGHT LIVE

FEATURING SPARK STEM FEST

Looking for a more grown-up way to interact with exhibitors, community partners, or thought-provoking guest speakers? Join us for Science Night Live on Saturday, February 18 and experience the Science Center after hours – and without the kids! There’s no age-limit on curiosity, and whether it is a get-together of old friends or a fun date night out, Science Night Live is your chance to enjoy Spark STEM Fest with a casual engaging atmosphere that is available for adults only. Get more details and tickets at www.osc.org/snl.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

College of Arts and Humanities | College of Engineering and Computer Science | College of Nursing | College of Sciences

CREATE (Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology and Entertainment) | Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy

IST, School of Modeling Simulation and Training | School of Visual Arts & Design

JANUARY 22 – APRIL 30

In nature, everything is connected—air, land, water. In the new Spring exhibit Earth Matters, visitors can explore our changing planet through a different lens, immerse themselves in incredible ecosystems, and learn how the smallest of actions can have a big impact on our natural world!

Through this stunning, state-of-the-art exhibition, you can experience large-scale visualizations of changes taking place in our natural world. For example, an interactive 3D projection map of a coral reef visually demonstrates changes in its ecosystem in response to everyday decisions.

And with over a dozen more interactive exhibit pieces, you can dive into the science behind some of the changes we are seeing in our surroundings. See the inner workings of a tree, conduct an experiment to learn how warm, cold, and salty water interact, and find out how much water is used in the production of a single chocolate bar!

Earth Matters is thought-provoking and fully interactive, inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators to find new answers to big questions. Through hands-on activities, learn about topical themes such as biodiversity, rising global temperatures, and carbon emissions across an informative journey that offers a new perspective on today’s major issues.

As you explore Earth Matters, look out for connections along the way. Solve complex challenges and push your own ideas to new heights. Then, rethink a more sustainable future—starting in your own back yard. For more info, visit osc.org/earth-matters.

MEMBER PERK ALERT!

Members are invited to an exclusive first look on Sunday, January 22 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

LIVING WONDERS

Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest living wonder is coming to the giant screen! Great Barrier Reef celebrates one of the planet’s most beautiful and biodiverse ecosystems and introduces us to the citizen science movement, where volunteers help researchers gain a more comprehensive understanding of the natural world.

Follow young underwater photographer and reef native Jemma Craig on an expedition to document the work being done by volunteers, researchers, and citizen scientists to better understand and protect the reef and its inhabitants. Visit the Great Barrier Reef’s first sustainable

eco-resort on Lady Elliot Island and the Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Center. Prepare to be completely immersed, with an up-close view of the fascinating creatures that live on the reef. Enjoy playful encounters with dwarf minke whales, thousands of migrating sea turtles and their hatchlings, a Maori wrasse named Wally whose epic photo-bombing skills have made him a local legend, a male seahorse giving birth, and fluorescent corals whose kaleidoscopic colors are especially vivid when viewed at night. Get excited to find ways that we, too, can participate in protecting the natural environment, even right in our own backyards!

JANUARY FEBRUARY

COMMUNITY

MONTH

FAN FAVORITE FEBRUARY

All events subject to change *Additional fee required

APRIL MARCH

SUPERHERO MONTH

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superhero Month at the Science Center! Grab a cape and join us as we learn about everyday heroes in our community, and how YOU can make the world a better place.

4 & 5 SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend 6 MONDAY Grades K-8 Homeschool Program* 13-17 MONDAY- FRIDAY Spring Break Camps* 15 WEDNESDAY OSC is Open 18 & 19 SATURDAY & SUNDAY KidsTown Presents: Superhero Weekend

25 SATURDAY Kids Night at the Museum* (Ages 5-12)

6:00 – 10:00 pm

NATURE MONTH

Unleash your wild side! From animal meet & greets to paw-some hands-on activities and live programming, unbe-leaf-able adventure awaits during Nature Month!

1 & 2 SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend 1 SATURDAY Science Night Live (Ages 21+) 8:00 – 11:30 pm 3 MONDAY Grades K-8 Homeschool Program* 5 WEDNESDAY Inspire Science Breakfast* 8:00 – 9:00 am 9 SUNDAY OSC is Closed 15 & 16 SATURDAY & SUNDAY Great Outdoors Weekend 15

SATURDAY Kids Night at the Museum* (Ages 5-12)

6:00 – 10:00 pm 16 SUNDAY $12 Day 22

SATURDAY Science of Wine* Fundraiser (Ages 21+)

7:00 – 9:00 pm

CHIN-CHILLIN’ AROUND

Roll on in to Orlando Science Center for the chance to meet two of our fluffiest Animal Ambassadors! Luna and Poppy are short-tailed chinchillas (Chinchilla chinchilla) and they have been having a ball getting in their exercise all around OSC.

Chinchillas have soft dense fur, large dark eyes, velvety round ears and are smaller than a house cat, making them popular domesticated pets in the U.S. These rodents may be related to guinea pigs, but don’t let their small size fool you. They are incredibly athletic and agile, leaping up to 6 feet in distance!

Chinchillas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America and are highly social, living in groups of up to 100 individuals in the wild. Built for that cold, harsh environment, their fur has been a driving force behind their dramatic population decline. Although the entire domesticated population

within the U.S. is believed to have descended from 11 individuals imported to the US in the 1920’s, the wild population of short-tailed chinchillas has declined by 90% of its original numbers. This is primarily due to a strong demand in the 1800s for their fur and meat. By the early 1900s, short-tailed chinchillas were on the brink of extinction, and they are still endangered today. New demands such as illegal hunting, habitat loss for grazing livestock, mining, and logging continue to threaten these charismatic animals.

By providing up close animal encounters and conservation messaging about this endearing species, we hope to inspire our guests to want to preserve wild places. Stop by our daily Life With Animals presentation for the chance to meet Luna and Poppy and to learn how you can be an advocate for this species!

LIFE UPDATE: MEET THE CURATOR

It’s hard to miss the activity going on at the Science Center behind the construction walls as NatureWorks evolves into Life, but what you may not know is that we are also preparing to expand our staff and animal collection! Opening an exhibit of this magnitude takes some highly specialized animal care experience. That’s why OSC has recently hired a new position to oversee the growing Life team! Meet Shannon Zimmerman, Curator of Conservation and Welfare.

Shannon joins the OSC team with over 22 years of experience in the zoological field. As Curator, her job is to provide leadership and direction for the animal welfare program and conservation efforts at the Science Center. She is also responsible for managing a team of professionals dedicated to ensuring the health of the collection, exhibit habitats, and species diversity.

“Our team is dedicated to ensuring our animals receive the highest standards of care.” said Shannon. “We continually evaluate the care we provide for the physical, nutritional, and medical needs of our animals. But it’s even more rewarding to watch them interact with the different enrichment that we supply to stimulate them mentally, socially, and emotionally, too.”

In addition to the daily animal care, Shannon also works to develop partnerships with organizations that support and advance the museum’s mission and vision for conservation. “Our animal ambassadors inspire our guests to participate in conservation efforts - not only here at OSC, but beyond our walls, too. Knowing we can make a positive impact on wild places makes this the best job in the world!” To learn more, visit osc.org/life.

SCIENCE MATTERS

Climate change. Those two words can be divisive, but from a scientific perspective, it’s impossible to ignore the effects that humans are having on our planet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will release their newest synthesized report in early 2023; their last report declared humans’ impact on the planet to be undeniable.

This spring, we’ll welcome Earth Matters to our traveling exhibit hall. This opportunity, coupled with the greatly

anticipated opening of Life at the end of this year, makes now a perfect time for the Science Center to delve further into the issues of conservation, sustainability, and global warming. Just like our previous Science Matters campaigns, Vaccines Save Lives and Mythbusting Misinformation, this campaign will focus on education and science literacy.

We hope to help our community here in Central Florida and beyond to understand the scientific principles behind issues of conservation and sustainability, and we’re excited to provide trusted resources and hands-on activities to help us learn together! This year, much of both our daily and special programming will touch on this issue in some way, shape, or form. Our impact may be undeniable, but so is our tenacity and persistence. Let’s make a difference in our community together! To learn more, visit osc.org/science-matters.

Hydro Dipped Painted Pots

Hydro dipping is the process of decorating an item by dipping it into water with a film of paint floating on top. The paint sticks to the object perfectly and completely, no matter its shape!

Based on a KidsTown Workshop made possible by the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• White terracotta pot (A regular terracotta pot will work too, the colors will just look slightly different!)

• 1 pipe cleaner

• 1 dowel rod

• Paper towels

• 5 gallon bucket, or another large container

• Hydrophobic Marbling Paint (We use the brand Marabu)

• 1 large button

PROCEDURES:

1. Create a Dipping Mechanism! Thread both ends of your pipe cleaner into the button, then pull your button down towards the middle. Next, twist your pipe cleaner ends together. Poke the twisted ends of the pipe cleaner through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Now you have a pipe cleaner to hold to keep your hands clean.

2. Prepare your Dipping Station! Fill your bucket or container with enough water for your pot to be fully submerged. Set up your paint, dowel rod, and some paper towels near your bucket.

3. Pick your Palette! Choose at least two colors of paint and shake about 5-6 drops of each into the bucket.

4. Give it a Swirl! Working quickly, use your dowel rod and gently make a few swirls in the paint. This will help achieve a marbled look when dipping the pot. Be careful! The paint will want to stick to the dowel rod!

5. Dip your Pot! Slowly dip your pot into the paint.

6. Clean the Water! Before pulling your pot back out of the water, use the dowel rod to gather any excess paint still floating on the top of the water. This is to avoid your pot getting a double coating of paint and looking clumpy. Once the water is clean and clear, pull your pot out!

7. You are an Artist! Admire your beautiful work! The paint should be dry almost instantly, but you will just need to wait for the water to dry before planting any seeds! Place your pot on your paper towels, and you’re all finished!

This past summer, Orlando Science Center launched our Neighborhood Science program, which aims to bring consistent and engaging STEM education to low-income neighborhoods in Central Florida. We are currently operating this placebased program in two locations: the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center in Holden Heights and the Jacqueline Bradley & Clarence Otis Family Branch Boys & Girls Club in West Lakes.

Grand Ave is a newly renovated facility that serves as a hub for more than 17 community centers across the city as a vital part of the City of Orlando’s Families, Parks, & Recreation Department. Thanks to generous funding from the Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation, Neighborhood Science programming began at Grand Ave in July 2022 with workshops four days a week for secondary students, exploring

topics such as robotics, forensics, engineering, and space, among others. Afterschool programming for elementary students began in August and will continue to run four days a week through the end of the school year thanks to additional funding support. In July, we began developing a new “Artemis: Moon to Mars” program for students in Grades 4 and 5, which will launch in January, thanks to generous grant support from NASA.

Bradley-Otis is a state-of-the-art Boys & Girls Club, which opened its doors in April 2021 to provide students ages 6 - 18 a safe place for educational support and beyond. The Club serves over 200 youth from low-income households in the West Lakes neighborhood. We are currently running afterschool workshops twice a week for elementary students at Bradley-Otis with support from the DeVos Family

Foundation. In addition to bringing the STEM topics of robotics, engineer, making and tinkering, and space to elementary students, we look forward to expanding programming to middle school programming thanks to additional grant funding from the Department of Navy (DON)/Office of Naval Research (ONR).

Engaging with our community goes beyond our building, but it also moves beyond the classroom. OSC was happy to participate in multiple family engagement events with the members of the Holden Heights neighborhood in 2022, including a Halloween event and two events around the December holiday season. We plan to participate in several similar family engagement events in West Lakes this spring. As we continue to build stronger relationships and provide consistent resources we make progress towards our goal of increasing interest and confidence in STEM.

Neighborhood Science made possible by generous support of donors and organizations who believe in our mission. Support for Neighborhood Science comes from Bank of America, City of Orlando, the DeVos Family Foundation, Disney, the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, the LEGO Group, Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation, NASA, and ONR. OSC looks forward to the opportunity to continue supporting our community as we pursue our mission to inspire science learning for life for everyone, both inside and outside our walls. To learn more about this program, visit osc.org/neighborhood-science

Orlando Science Center

BREAK CAMPS

From space to slime, from bots to Pokémon, Orlando Science Center’s school Break Camps offer campers a hands-on, outof-this-world atmosphere to explore the far reaches of STEM. Camps are offered for Kindergarten through Grade 5. Member pricing as well as single and multi-day options are available so you can save on science! Learn about upcoming themes and register at osc.org/break-camps.

SUMMER CAMPS

Keep learning all summer long at exciting STEM camps for Preschool* through Grade 9, with topics like forensics, engineering, nature, and many more! Download the Summer Camps Guide to get a sneak peek at our Camp themes that are so engaging, your camper won’t even realize they’re learning! osc.org/summer-camps.

JANUARY 28, MARCH 25, & APRIL 15

On select evenings, Orlando Science Center becomes a kids-only zone! During Kids Night at the Museum, youth 5-12 years old are invited to explore exhibits, experience enhanced programming, enjoy dinner and a live show, and more! Meanwhile, YOU get a kid and stress-free evening to yourself.

MARCH 18 & 19

Don a mask and cape and fly into Superhero Weekend! Learn about everyday heroes working hard to make our community a better place, discover some of the science behind your favorite superhero characters, and power up with heroic crafts, stories, shows, and more!

APRIL 15 & 16

Unleash your wild side and discover the unbe-leaf-able natural wonders all around us during Great Outdoors Weekend! Become one with nature as you meet extraordinary wildlife, participate in paw-some activities, and experience the outdoors through wild challenges.

SPONSORED BY:

JANUARY

21, 2023 • 1:00 - 4:00 PM

The second annual Science on Tap beer festival, sponsored in part by Florida Dairy Farmers, is happening on January 21, 2023! Kick off the new year by exploring the science behind your favorite local brews. This 21+ event features dozens of tastings from some of the best breweries in Central Florida.

Whether you’re a stout drinker, an IPA aficionado, or a cider sipper, you’ll be sure to find something to tickle your tastebuds and pique your curiosity. Sip your way through interactive science demos, enjoy

some live music, challenge your friends to a game of cornhole or giant Jenga, and more! In between flights and fun, indulge in tasty treats available for purchase from some of our favorite local food trucks.

Proceeds raised from this event enable Orlando Science Center to inspire science learning for life for all through engaging experiences that build important skills and illustrate the power of science to address real world challenges. Get your tickets now at osc.org/beer.

APRIL 22, 2023

Ready your mind and palate for a night of wining, dining, and learning at one of Orlando’s most unique food and wine events: the Science of Wine! On April 22, 2023, join us at the Science Center for an exclusive odyssey of the senses. Leave the kids at home and uncork your inner sommelier as you sip, savor, and support our mission to inspire science learning for life.

We’ll raise a glass – and funds! – for a great cause with a large variety of vintages from our wine partners and a silent auction. Previous auction items include the right to name a bonnethead shark in our new exhibit Life, coming in 2023; a weekend in New York City at the iconic Lafayette House; a bioluminescent

experience on Guana Lake; and so much more. Plus, you won’t want to miss out on light bites from some of the best chefs in Central Florida!

Proceeds from the Science of Wine support our innovative programming and Science For All initiative, which brings fun and educational content to low-income families. Through this program, we provide free or reduced-price admissions and annual memberships to low-income families, Title I schools, youth groups, and groups serving those with disabilities or special needs. Each ticket to the Science of Wine gives us the opportunity to provide Science For All admission to at least 7 individuals. Keep an eye out for updates at osc.org/wine.

We salute local legend, Tuskegee Airman, Flight Officer Daniel Keel

passed, he noticed that his group wasn’t getting served, but anytime white cadets came in, they got food right away.

Not one to take this matter lying down, he and his group wrote a letter to the general detailing the blatant racial discrimination. The general spoke up and told the officers that Keel and his group were officers in the United States Air Force and would be treated with the same respect, privileges, and duties as any officers on the base.

airlines refused to integrate, and Black pilots weren’t hired until the 1960s.

Instead, Mr. Keel, together with his wife Barbara, raised eight children in Massachusetts while becoming a Master Electrician and prominent commercial contractor until his retirement to Central Florida in 1998.

Daniel Keel began his military career when he was drafted into World War II in 1943. He knew he wanted to become a pilot, but the competition, especially for people of color, was incredibly steep. More than 15,000 Black men took the exam to become a pilot, but only 10 percent of those were chosen to go to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama — Keel among them. He would go on to become one of five distinguished Triple-Rated Airmen, becoming an accomplished bomber, navigator, and Red Tail pilot.

However, stiff competition wasn’t Daniel Keel’s biggest obstacle. The Tuskegee Airmen were fighting two wars: WWII and racism. His group was told that they were not allowed in the officer’s club, could not eat in the officer’s cafeteria, could not sit in the officer’s section at the movies and had to ride in the back of the bus.

In one instance, Keel and a group of his fellow officers arrived at the cadet mess hall for lunch and had to wait for all of the white soldiers to be fed first. As more time

“The Tuskegee Airmen showed the world that if Black men were given the opportunity, we could do the job as well as anyone else. I think we played a big role in President Truman desegregating the military in 1948,” shares Keel.

When Keel’s service to the military was complete, he hoped to take his new skillset as a pilot and navigator back home and continue flying. He obtained a Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot’s License. However, despite his qualifications, commercial

Now at age 100, Daniel Keel is still an advocate for equal rights and education in the community. His advice for aspiring military pilots: “Get yourself a good education and work hard. Nothing is given to you for free.”

Orlando Science Center is proud to work with Mr. Keel. Over the years, he has helped with the installation of the Red Tail Monument which stands in Loch Haven Park and was the guest of honor at our Annual Veteran’s Day WreathLaying Ceremony sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Mr. Keel is a national hero and we are honored to call him our friend. To learn more click here.

(From left)Tom Mirek, Robert Stuart, Sylvester Terry, Mike McKenzie, Daniel Keel, JoAnn Newman, Toby Hubbard

Barrier Breakers

Women have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields, so we are taking this opportunity to highlight some incredible scientists from throughout history. These women broke barriers and overcame obstacles, clearing the way for others to follow in their footsteps.

Chien-Shiung Wu

Gertrude Belle Elion

Did you know that women receive only about 5 percent of all patents? Women remain a largely overlooked pool of scientific knowledge. But Gertrude Elion began to pave the way for change when she became the first woman inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) in 1991.

Elion was a pioneer in the development of drugs to combat leukemia, septic shock, and many others. With George Hitchings her research partner, Elion employed what is now known as rational drug design, intentionally creating molecules that would interfere with the replication process of DNA, stopping cell reproduction in its tracks. This was extraordinary science for the 1940s, especially because much was still unknown about DNA, including the double-helix structure. The discovery paved the way for the creation of treatments for leukemia, gout, malaria, herpes, and many other diseases.

Known sometimes as the “First Lady of Physics” or the “Queen of Nuclear Research,” Chien-Shiung Wu made extraordinary contributions to the field of physics. For a time, she worked on enriching uranium ore for the Manhattan Project, the research and development project that created the first nuclear weapons. After that, she began extensively researching beta decay, a form of radioactivity in which a proton turns into a neutron by emitting a beta particle (an electron or positron). She was the first to observe that these shedding particles have a preferred direction of emission, which violates the principle of parity. This principle states that it is impossible to distinguish direction (right from left, clockwise from counterclockwise, etc.) in any particle interaction.

María de los Ángeles Alvariño González

In the scientific world, it is generally frowned upon to name newly discovered species after yourself. That’s why none of the 22 species of plankton discovered by scientist Ángeles Alvariño (her preferred moniker) are named after her. Known as a world-renowned expert on zooplankton, Alvariño studied all over the world, including Spain, Great Britain, the United States, Mexico, and even Antarctica.

It was a discovery worthy of a Nobel Prize in Physics – except that it wasn’t awarded to Wu. The Nobel Prize in 1957 went to Chen Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee, two men whose theory was proved by Wu’s experiment. They even credited Wu in their acceptance speech! Wu did, however, become the first recipient of the Wolf Prize in Physics in 1978. The Wolf Prize is often regarded as the most prestigious award in each scientific discipline after the Nobel Prize.

Alvariño began as an educator, teaching for seven years before beginning her research career. While living in Madrid and working for the Department of Sea Fisheries, Alvariño applied to do research with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (SIO) - but legally, women were forbidden from boarding Spanish Navy vessels. The archaic law had been written in the 1700s, but it was technically still in effect. Even the SIO did not admit women at the time. Alvariño was undeterred; in 1950, she was accepted to the SIO thanks to her extensive academic credentials and research acumen. She became so well-known in the field that two species were named for her by other scientists: Aidanosagitta alvarinoae (an arrow-worm) and Lizzia alvarinoae (a hydrozoan). More than that, seven years after her death, the SIO launched a new research vessel: the Ángeles Alvariño.

Photo via Council for Galician Culture, culturagalega.org

Help your future innovators become inflation-proof ‘savings superheroes’ –

Open a Florida Prepaid Plan today!

Florida 529 Prepaid Plans allow families to save for future college tuition and fees at today’s prices, with Plans starting at less than $50 a month. Prepaid Plans are inflation-proof, are guaranteed by the State of Florida, and offer the flexibility to be applied to whatever education path your child takes after high school. Protect your child’s future by helping them avoid future student loan debt!

Orlando remains home to one of the fastest growing STEM job markets in the United States. By 2030, Orlando is projected to create between 254,000 and 482,000 new jobs, according to the Orlando Economic Partnership.

College might seem like a long way off, but an early savings strategy can help you avoid future financial stress when your child is ready to pursue their higher education

dreams. Florida Prepaid Plans offer a stable, guaranteed way for families to save now for future college costs.

With a Prepaid Plan, families don’t have to worry about the ups and downs of the stock market or college costs - that’s on Florida Prepaid to manage. With Plan options starting at under $50 a month, you can start saving in a way that works for your budget, and unlike the ever-changing

prices at the gas pump and grocery store, your Prepaid Plan costs will never go up.

No one knows what tomorrow holds, but we know the future is bright for our young museum visitors. And the more families can empower them to avoid student loan debt, the higher their careers can soar.

To learn more about how to save for college, go to myfloridaprepaid.com.

We are so grateful that NASA selected OSC as one of only three organizations in their Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program. This multi-year grant award will help fund Neighborhood Science, an initiative focused on providing consistent, long-term STEM programming for afterschool programs in low-income and underserved neighborhoods. This program will help address the rising demand for STEM careers in Florida and the intense underrepresentation of people of color in the STEM workforce. OSC has established a STEM lab in the City of Orlando’s Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center and will partner with Kennedy Space Center Swampworks to develop an engineering design challenge. Participating youth will create a solution to a problem that astronauts engaged in the ARTEMIS mission may face as they live in space or travel from the Moon to Mars.

Through a multi-year grant from the Department of Navy and Office of Naval Research, OSC will work to inspire, engage, and educate underrepresented youth (grades 6-12) through our second Neighborhood Science location, the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Family Branch Boys & Girls Club. The program will enhance students’ confidence while building vital STEM knowledge and 21st Century skills utilizing problem-based learning and the science capital teaching approach. Support from the Office of Naval Research will give OSC the tools and resources needed to inform and engage students in learning about Naval topics through interactive and impactful STEM education. This collaborative initiative will ignite students’ passion for STEM, sparking interest in STEM topics and instilling confidence in the future leaders from Central Florida. It will also increase awareness of Naval STEM careers and opportunities, planting the seeds for increased diversity in the Naval STEM workforce.

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OSC is one of twelve local changemakers to receive the 2022 Disney Impact Grant. As part of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, Disney has contributed a total of $5.5 million to important community causes over the past year alone. This funding will help us be the spark that ignites curiosity in the innovators of tomorrow by providing free afterschool STEM programming for youth in lowincome Central Florida communities. OSC is bringing Neighborhood Science to multiple locations within the 32805-zip code. Youth in this community have limited access to opportunities to learn and practice STEM skills. Neighborhood Science will provide the inspiration needed to pursue STEM higher-education and careers and the tools that students need to be successful in these fields. We are so grateful to have been #GrantedbyDisney!

We are honored to have been selected to participate in the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network for a second consecutive year! This initiative seeks to build robust, long-term partnerships with selected children’s and science museums to provide high-quality “learning through play” (LTP) experiences to diverse populations, leveraging LEGO LTP resources to deepen and strengthen those experiences. OSC was one of fourteen museums selected nationwide for The LEGO Group’s inaugural Playful Learning Museum Initiative, which aims to promote activities that develop essential life-long skills such as creativity, curiosity, critical thinking, collaboration, and engagement. We are honored to continue this work, strengthening LTP practices within the Science Center and offsite through Neighborhood Science.

Dine with the Dinosaurs, Dance Under the Stars, Celebrate

Orlando Science Center invites you to host an unforgettable wedding at a venue as unique as you are. Make a dramatic statement by holding your wedding in our grand five-floor facility conveniently located in beautiful Loch Haven Park.

with Orlando Science Center. www.osc.org/weddings

Member Scrapbook

We love to see our #OSCMembers enjoying our exhibits and programs!

For a chance to be featured in the next Member Scrapbook, join our Facebook Community and share your picture-perfect poses!

We had a blast! I loved all the little blow up decorations and my son loved the Dino dance area. And of course the candy.

We were so thrilled to attend Pumpkins and Protons after being canceled for so long! The Ghostflusters show was the cherry on top!

My son had an amazing time at the Hot Wheels event. It was literally every kid’s dream, and some adults!

WE LOVE the lab! One of our favorites is the quicksand and dissecting the chicken, Fred! Shoutout to your awesome employees for always making our kids laugh and have a blast.

We were on the countdown for the Hot Wheels Exhibit and showed up opening day!