Fighting Hunger with Food Heroes

New Food Heroes Exhibit Presented by Orlando Health PUTS DOWN ROOTS

AT THE SCIENCE CENTER

Orlando Science Center, in collaboration with a host of community partners, has developed a hands-on exhibit illuminating the fascinating and complex world of our food system. The Food Heroes exhibit presented by Orlando Health is located in the all-new 4Roots Cafe.

Inspired by John Rivers of 4Rivers BBQ and 4Roots Farm Campus and his passion for food and farming education, we enlisted a group of advisors, including 4Roots, to help develop an experience featuring food heroes making a positive impact in our community and how each of us can join them to make a difference.

This new integrated exhibit/dining experience features interactive stations, videos, cooking tutorials, and opportunities to get involved with local efforts. Exhibits include a robotic arm that “picks strawberries” as an example of farming automation and an augmented reality experience where you can interact with butterflies while learning about pollinators. Visitors can also discover about the importance of composting fruits and vegetables through decomposition time-lapse videos and learn about vertical farming through a thriving living wall.

A demonstration area with a giant LED screen provides an opportunity for expert speakers to present on topics ranging from nutrition to soil science. This space will also be the setting for cooking demonstrations, where cameras will provide an intimate view of the process on the LED Display. When not being used for demonstrations, there will be ongoing videos featuring local food heroes from 15 different local organizations who will share their stories ranging from hydroponic gardens to culinary medicine. Spotlighted organizations include 4Roots, Black Bee Honey, HEBNI Nutrition, Fleet Farming, O-Town Compost, and presenting sponsor Orlando Health, among others. Their stories share the impact our community is making on the issues of sustainable farming and food security.

Be sure to explore the new exhibit and enjoy a delicious and healthy meal of locally sourced food, prepared by the 4Roots Cafe during your next visit! Stay tuned for more experiences coming soon, including web-enabled app.

PRESENTING SPONSOR ORLANDO HEALTH

HELPING US GROW

Orlando Science Center would like to extend our sincerest thanks to the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the IF/THEN Initiative for their support of gender equity at the Science Center. IF/THEN is a nationwide effort to advance women as innovators in STEM fields and inspire the next generation of girls. OSC will be rolling out a new Science On a Sphere show and displaying biographical information and images around the Science Center’s exhibits and lab spaces to increase our representation of women, people of color, and people with disabilities.

We are excited to announce that Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy funded our education program focused on providing STEM-related curriculum and engaging content on renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines. We are honored to have received generous support from Siemens Gamesa to help address inequities in STEM education. The Science Center will provide field trips and handson workshops focused on renewable energy for students, family engagement experiences, and training for teachers to increase their STEM literacy skills and enhance their ability to implement engineering design activities focused on wind renewable energy with their students. Orlando Science Center is proud to announce that the Office of Naval Research (ONR) has chosen to award OSC, in partnership with TEQGames, a generous grant supporting the expansion of interactive STEM learning experiences as part of our virtual reality Flight Lab. Funding will support the development of Naval/Marine Corps-themed aviation missions and STEM education modules and the delivery of this new mobile program to students at afterschool site locations across Central Florida over the next two years. Thanks to ONR, we are helping develop the next generation of scientists, engineers, aviators, and technicians!

We would like to offer a special thank you to The Pabst Steinmetz Foundation for its support of our programming, which melds the culinary arts with critical instruction on the impact of healthy food systems on our overall well-being. As part of our new Food Heroes exhibit, visitors and students will have an opportunity to partake in hands-on cooking demonstrations and farming workshops, reimagined live shows, and opportunities to engage with realworld experts. Thank you again to the foundation for its incredible support of our innovative programming!

Celebrating a lifetime of tradition

Thank You Publix Super Markets Charities

Giving back is something that came easily to Publix Super Markets’ founder, George W. Jenkins. He attributed his success to generously dedicating his time and financial support to several charitable causes and investing in his own employees. Mr. George, as he was affectionately known, was once asked, “If you hadn’t given away so much, how much do you think you’d be worth today?” To which his response was, “Probably nothing.” Publix Super Markets Charities was established in 1966 by the company founder to fulfill his legacy of giving back to the community and has successfully achieved that for decades since its inception.

The depth and breadth of the foundation’s impact is farreaching and continues to grow. It spurs change and improves the lives of people within the communities in which Publix operates through the support of an array of nonprofit organizations throughout the southeast region. To ensure their philanthropic endeavor of building healthier communities, the foundation focuses its support on initiatives for youth, education, reducing hunger, and alleviating homelessness.

For more than 25 years, Publix Super Markets Charities has been a long-standing partner of Orlando Science Center, helping us meet the STEM learning needs of Central Florida. If you have ever hosted or had the opportunity to attend a birthday party here, you have Publix Super Markets Charities to thank for it. From space exploration and chemistry to paleontology and zoology, we provide live demonstrations, engaging experiments, and encourage creativity during your loved one’s special day. Our birthday party program is made possible through a sponsorship from Publix Super Markets Charities.

Throughout the years, the foundation has helped ensure science learning for everyone through their sponsorship of our accessibility program, Science for All. The Explore It! area in KidsTown, our state-of-the-art early childhood exhibit, was made possible through generous support from Publix Super Markets Charities as part of our Unlock Science campaign.

With their generous support, the Science Center provides unique and engaging STEM learning experiences for children and their families throughout Central Florida. We are very proud to honor Publix Super Markets Charities as a member of our Medallion Society, which is an extraordinary group of our most generous supporters. Medallion Society members are leaders in philanthropy through lifetime gifts of $1 million or more benefiting our mission to inspire science learning for life.

“STEM learning is critical to community prosperity. Publix Super Markets Charities serves an important role in our ability to impact children and their families. We are grateful for our longtime partnership and proud to honor them as a member of our Medallion Society.” said JoAnn Newman, President & CEO of Orlando Science Center.

Dedication and support from the foundation enables us to continue providing innovative and engaging learning experiences to help our community grow and prosper. For more information about the foundation and its impact, visit

publixcharities.org.

UPHOLDING OUR VALUES.

We’re proud to support those who dream of a brighter tomorrow through helping others.

Teach your future mathematicians and engineers about the compounding effect – Open a Florida 529 Savings Plan today!

Florida 529 Savings Plans allow families to save for future college expenses with flexibility, custom contribution schedule. A monthly contribution of just $25 into the Florida 529 Savings Plan could grow to more than $8,000 over the next 18 years, or enough to cover 30 college credit hours, depending on investment choices. That’s the power of consistent, smart college savings!

Visit myfloridaprepaid.com to learn more about our college savings options.

Florida Prepaid is proud to partner with Orlando Science Center

CURIOSITY IS JUST A PART OF WHAT WE’RE BUILDING.

For over 75 years FINFROCK has been known for innovation, design excellence and constructing large buildings in record time. We know that none of our projects would be possible without our talented team members who are paving the way for the future of technology and engineering. FINFROCK is a proud supporter of the Orlando Science Center, with the common goal of helping everyone recognize the value and importance of STEM education and training. Let’s build a better future together.

Visit www.finfrock.com to learn more about our construction process and explore internship opportunities!