PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SCIENCE MATTERS Science matters now more than ever. It has not only led us back to space and helped us fly a helicopter on Mars, but it helps us address some of our world’s biggest problems, like hunger, climate change and global pandemics. This past year, we’ve all seen firsthand the important role science plays in our collective health and safety. Scientists and medical professionals have confronted this pandemic head on and their expertise and understanding have helped us all navigate these strange and difficult days. Informed by the CDC’s guidelines, Orlando Science Center developed health and safety protocols to reopen safely last June after being closed to the public for three months. By understanding how the virus spreads and following the science, we have been able to engage thousands of curious visitors since then. Based on the science, we were able to implement procedures that allowed us to host the blockbuster exhibit Pompeii: The Immortal City. More than 50,000 people felt safe and comfortable within our exhibit halls to see this remarkable display when it was here. As we prepare for summer camps by following the same guidelines that helped us host 10 successful weeks last year without a single reported case of COVID-19, I am reminded that following the science is always a good option. It is the study of our physical and natural world. Through study and experimentation, we acquire knowledge, which leads to understanding, innovation and ultimately prosperity. Science is an essential tool for protecting the environment, helping people and saving lives. From the beginning of the pandemic outbreak, our scientific community has been studying the virus and developing ways to fight it. Their efforts led to vaccines that have reduced infection rates and shown us the light at the end of the tunnel. As more people get vaccinated and immunity is strengthened, we are all personally experiencing the fundamental impact science has on our wellbeing. Science literacy not only leads to a better understanding of life’s problems, but it promotes the development of skills to help solve them. And we celebrate and practice that fact here every day. Sincerely,
PRESIDENT/ CEO
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