SUMMER 2022
OSC is coming to your neighborhood! pg. 2
Summer rain-showers won't spoil our parades! pg. 12
Tune in to The Science of It pg. 18
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE UPCOMING EXPERIENCES! Renew Early and Save 10% on Another Year of Membership! Check the expiration date on your Membership card to make sure it’s active through these exciting exhibit premieres. To renew early, go to osc.org/membership
October 8, 2022 – January 8, 2023 Gather your pit crew and race in to learn about the science of speed! Work together to design, build, test, and play with some of the most iconic and nostalgic racecars on the planet.
HOT WHEELS and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel. ©2021 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.
January 22 – April 30, 2023 Are you ready to explore our changing planet through a different lens, immerse yourself in incredible ecosystems, and learn how the smallest of actions can have a big impact on our natural world?
May 27 – September 4, 2023 Humans' love story with man's best friend is a tail as old as time! Come sniff around to learn about where dogs came from and what makes our bond with them so special as you see, hear, smell and think like a dog!
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777 East Princeton Street, Orlando, Florida 32803 • 407.514.2000 • www.osc.org Orlando Science Center is a private, nonprofit educational facility.
President’s Message
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Science in Our Lives
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Science For All Celebration Day
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Science Night Live: Growing Older But Not Up 5 NEW Exhibit: Bionic Me
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Life Exhibit Update
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Films & Shows
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Monthly Events
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Calendar
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Scientist Spotlights: Meteorology
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Spring 2022 Science Competitions
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Summer Camps
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Science of It!
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Support
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Member Scrapbook
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OSC Apps
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Try This at Home! Board Interview: Nirav Pandya
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Executive Editor JoAnn Newman Co-Editor Christina Schreiber, Jeff Stanford Contributing Writers Tori Carter, Nicholas Chapman, Aubrey Coats, Spencer Jones, James Kondrach, Megg Murphy, JoAnn Newman, Christina Schreiber, Jeff Stanford, Madison Szathmary, Helen Tillem Graphic Designer Kristie Hoover Photographer Tori Carter, Roberto Gonzalez, Alex Sturgill, Someillan Entertainment
SCOPE Magazine is published three times a year by Orlando Science Center. SCOPE accepts no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts and/or photographs and assumes no liability for products or services advertised herein. SCOPE reserves the right to edit, rewrite or refuse material and is not responsible for products. CONTACT INFORMATION Phone Number: 407.514.2000 | Website: www.osc.org | Story ideas and suggestions: oscmembership@osc.org Orlando Science Center is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program, and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. © 2021 Orlando Science Center. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin including limited English proficiency, in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance. To learn more, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator Debra Gordon at 407.514.2029 or dgordon@osc.org, email preferred.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Achieving Impactful STEM Learning Through an Authentic and Consistent Presence For over 66 years, Orlando Science Center has made science relevant through meaningful and engaging experiences that ignite curiosity and spark innovation. We aspire to help people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities understand how science impacts the world and benefits us all. To achieve real prosperity in our community, everyone must have equal access to high-quality STEM education and opportunities. Unfortunately, that is currently not the case. With the demand for STEM careers on the rise throughout Florida and an intense underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM fields across the country, we feel compelled to join the efforts to break down barriers and revitalize STEM education in our community. Neighborhood Science is our new initiative providing high-quality STEM education for multiple days each week in afterschool programs and community centers within underrepresented neighborhoods. It is the bridge that connects these issues by offering opportunities focused on increasing confidence and interest in STEM concepts for youth in Central Florida. The first Neighborhood Science program will launch this summer with a STEM lab in the Grand Avenue Community Center in Orlando’s Holden Heights neighborhood. Another effort will begin this fall at the Jacqueline Bradley and Clarence Otis Branch of the Boys & Girls Club. We recognize that to have a substantial impact on youth in our community, we need to connect with them where they live. Not everyone can make it to Orlando Science Center to experience our offerings and true impact is not achieved by a museum visit once or twice a year. We have refocused our outreach to engage students in their neighborhoods with an authentic and consistent presence. Neighborhood Science will work to be the spark that inspires innovation and generates passion for future careers. Students will engage in hands-on STEM discovery and skill-building through multiple activities, including coding, robotics, virtual reality, engineering design challenges, 3D printing and more. Our team will nurture long-term relationships through frequent interactions several times a week. Orlando Science Center, thanks to funding from partners like NASA, Kiwanis Club of Orlando Foundation, the DeVos Family Foundation and others, is making a multi-year commitment to facilitate programs within these communities. There has never been a more crucial time to engage our youth with science, technology, engineering, and math. By providing all children with an opportunity for inspiration and education, we begin a pipeline that runs from the Science Center to schools and community centers and to exciting careers. Neighborhood Science will expand our impact throughout Central Florida as we create a STEM-centered community that paves the way for access and opportunities for all. Sincerely,
PRESIDENT/CEO 2
SCIENCE IN OUR LIVES
REVOLUTIONIZING ORTHOPEDIC CARE TO KEEP YOU MOVING FORWARD Orlando Science Center creates and curates experiences that illustrate how science and technology address realworld problems. Our exhibits, guest speakers and hands-on activities make science come to life for our visitors and help them understand the beneficial impact of STEM concepts. As part of these efforts, we are partnering this summer with two organizations that are making a major difference in the field of orthopedics here in our Central Florida community: AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics. Orthopedics is a medical science applied to make people’s lives better. Orthopedists treat everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to tendinitis, scoliosis to back and neck pain – even bone fractures and major tendon tears. When you hear about your favorite athlete tearing their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), chances are that they saw an orthopedist to assist in their recovery. One of the most common reasons individuals seek orthopedic care is for the treatment of arthritis. Arthritis – or joint inflammation – is the leading cause of work disability in the United States. According to the CDC, 24% of adult Americans suffer from arthritis, and nearly 14% of these individuals report that their arthritic pain limits their ability to work. For pain relief and treatment, many Americans rely on the expertise of orthopedists, who study the musculoskeletal system. This includes muscles and bones as well as tendons, joints and ligaments.
that is changing the human experience, improving lives and propelling us forward. For more information on Bionic Me, see page 6. Outside of the Science Center, AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics are creating a groundbreaking network of care featuring unprecedented quality, research and whole-person care. With innovation as a cornerstone of both organizations, this exciting new partnership gives patients access to the best-in-practice procedures, care and technologies from both AdventHealth Orthopedic Institute and Rothman Orthopaedics. They are committed to developing new techniques and technologies to help those in need overcome difficulties and enhance their lives. Orlando Science Center is proud to be collaborating with two organizations that are clearly demonstrating how STEM professionals can increase quality of life for our friends and neighbors. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to share real-world examples of how science is making a difference in our everyday lives.
To help create hands-on, educational experiences surrounding the science of orthopedics, AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics have joined with Orlando Science Center to support Bionic Me, our new exhibit for this summer. With more than a dozen interactive exhibit pieces, visitors will get hands-on with the ingenious technology 3
SCIENCE FOR ALL CELEBRATION DAY At Orlando Science Center, we believe we have a responsibility to inspire science learning for life for all people, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender identity or physical abilities. Science For All Celebration Day brings together some of the local organizations we’ve partnered with in order to honor that responsibility and make our vision a reality. We want to do our part to amplify the voices of groups that are historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Our partner organizations are making
a difference right here in Central Florida, and we were excited to host our first annual Science For All Celebration Day on January 22, 2022. Many of our partners participated, but the best part about this initiative is that it continues year-round. We’re hard at work behind the scenes with each organization, doing our part to create accessible and welcoming STEM experiences for curious minds of all ages. We look forward to the opportunity to grow this event in future years!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
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To learn more about this program and how you can help make an impact, visit osc.org/science-for-all.
GROWING OLDER, BUT NOT UP:
Embrace Your Inner Child During Science Night Live! Do you enjoy gazing through telescopes and digging into the history of dinosaurs? Do you reminisce about at-home chemistry sets and DIY maker activities? Are you a grownup who can still sing the theme song to Bill Nye the Science Guy? Then Science Night Live is the event for you! At Orlando Science Center, we believe there’s no age limit on curiosity! During Science Night Live, those 21+ are invited to embrace their inner scientist while experiencing the childlike joy of everything OSC has to offer - without any kids!
or cocktails and enjoy small-plate snacks while you get your geek on. Science Night Live is also a great way to connect with the Central Florida community! Shop one-of-a-kind art from local makers and artisans, and hear from distinguished guest speakers on topics ranging from safely sending astronaut researchers to the International Space Station to discovering how fossilized poop is used to piece together ecological information from our prehistoric past.
From hands-on activities to interactive exhibits, enjoy exclusive programming designed just for adults! Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Put your knowledge to the test with Science Trivia competitions.
Featuring a new theme each time, you’ll never experience the same SNL twice! Whether you make it a date night or bring your whole entourage, shake up your Saturday with a unique night out! The best part? Science Night Live is included in an OSC Membership! Members can reserve their complimentary tickets HERE.
Don’t forget to take a break and take in a live show or music! Food partners will have light bites and adult beverages available for purchase, so you can sip beer, wine,
NEXT DATES: JUNE 11 & AUGUST 20 5
TRAVELING EXHIBIT: PREMIERING MAY 22
EXPLORE THE INGENIOUS TECH THAT IS CHANGING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE! Control a computer using the power of your mind, race against a Paralympian, and see how a bionic eye works in our NEW summer exhibition, Bionic Me, presented by AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics! With more than a dozen interactive exhibit pieces, visitors will get hands-on with the ingenious technology that is changing the human experience, improving lives, and propelling us forward. Are you up for a challenge? Put yourself and technology to the test! Race against a Paralympian and learn about the design and biomechanics behind creating sports prosthetics. Or take the Hearing Test and see how using technology to ‘hear’ sounds beyond human hearing has real-world applications like ultrasound and sonar.
Bionic Me will inspire you to think about the potential of clever technology and how it can change people’s experiences and interactions with the world around them. For example, visitors will be able to use the power of their minds to move a ball, which can create opportunities for people with mobility impairments. You can also use a gesture interface to manipulate a robot arm, use night vision to see in the dark, or explore how technology can provide camouflage and make you invisible. What would you invent to help others? In addition to this incredible hands-on exhibit, don’t miss Bionic Me around the rest of the building! Try Pop-Up Science demonstrations in the rotunda, see how 3D printing has helped create affordable assistive technology in The Hive: A Makerspace, and more!
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Do you want to be the first to experience Bionic Me? Get an exclusive sneak peek during our Member Preview May 22 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm!
presented by:
dr. sarah layton
What is Life? NatureWorks has been part of the Science Center since our current facility opened in 1997. In that time, it has remained one of our most popular experiences. Though, as with everything, the cycle of life has taken its toll on NatureWorks, and it is time to reimagine this space with even more inspiring, surprising, and enriching animal and environment-based displays and experiences. The evolution of NatureWorks will continue when Life premieres in late 2023. This reimagined nature exhibit will promote messages of sustainability and conservation that reflect our commitment to empowering people through knowledge to protect our world for all generations. As visitors participate in this experience, they will learn how our lives are connected to the natural world and how our choices impact all of us. We will tell the story of our environment through the creatures that share our planet. By encountering live animals and learning more about their changing habitats, visitors will better understand how our actions affect all living things. Animal encounters have remained one of our highest rated experiences and have kept visitors coming back to Orlando Science Center again and again. Life builds on this foundation by expanding the Florida-centric exhibits of NatureWorks and reinventing the space into three distinct environments: Ocean, Rainforest and Swamp. The story of each ecosystem will be told in three steps. They will create meaningful connections between visitors and the natural world, demonstrate the forces that are having a negative impact and reveal the positive actions that humans are taking and how you can help, too. Over 10,000 square feet of exhibition
space will feature innovative enclosures and experiences that will let visitors get closer to the animals than they ever have at the Science Center. For example, a free-flight aviary and seamless 360-degree aquatic habitats will maximize the opportunity for authentic animal interactions. Intertwined with these live encounters is a strong message about humanity’s impact on these ecosystems, what that means for us and the animals that live there, and how we can stop destructive forces. Learning starts with natural curiosity, and nothing creates a connection like first-hand interactions with living animals. Life is made possible through the generosity of our presenting sponsor, Dr. Sarah Layton, who made the largest individual gift in Orlando Science Center’s history, along with substantial funding by the Orange County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners and Orange County Tourism Community. Thanks to their support and that of other generous donors, Orlando Science Center is creating this incredible new exhibit experience to highlight the amazing diversity of life and make a case for active conservation. Orlando Science Center is dedicated to helping create a stronger and healthier world by influencing our visitors through iconic experiences. As a Gold LEED-certified organization, we have the passion to teach by example. Direct encounters with animals and interactive experiences that reveal key concepts will create lasting memories and serve as a vivid, living resource to inspire others to protect this fragile blue orb we call home. We can’t wait to share more about Life with you in the coming months. 7
FEATURED FILMS
FILMS & SHOWS
SOARING ON THE BIG SCREEN DR. PHILLIPS CINEDOME Apollo 11: First Steps Edition Into America’s Wild Forces of Nature Mummy: Secrets of the Pharaohs Superpower Dogs The Magic of Flight
Wings Over Water Wings Over Water, narrated by Michael Keaton, tells the compelling story of three amazing bird species — the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler and the Mallard Duck — with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behaviors. All of them depend on the wetlands for their survival. Audiences will be captivated by the triumphs and challenges of these remarkable birds that defy all odds as they head home to the prairies to raise their young.
Summer Laser Jam LASER LIGHT SHOW
DIGITAL ADVENTURE THEATER Dino Dana: The Movie 2D Wings Over Water 2D
Watch Trailer Here Film schedule varies and is subject to change. 8
For upcoming film and show schedules, please visit osc.org/theaters
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
MAY 14 & 15 Join us for our ooiest, gooiest, MESSIEST science lesson ever as we learn about colorful chemistry, flashy physics, and splat-tacular science! When we say messy, we MEAN messy, so make sure you dress for the mess!
JUNE 19 & 20 Celebrate the maker movement by learning a new skill, and meeting some of the expert craftspeople who are (literally) making a difference in our community. Whether you’re a professional maker, or exploring a new hobby, everyone has something exciting to learn!
Stomp in for a
Paleontology Party!
AUGUST 28 & 29 RSVP to a party 65 million years in the making! We’re going on safari into the prehistoric past to uncover dino-mite programming, including larger-than-life live shows, claws-on activities, and more!
OSC.ORG/CALENDAR
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CALENDAR
MAY
JUNE
MESSY SCIENCE MONTH
MAKER MONTH
What’s the best kind of mess? The kind YOU don’t have to clean up! Get hands-on with our ooiest, gooiest, messiest activities and shows all month long!
Make(r) some time this summer for Maker Month! Whether you’re a professional craftsperson or a maker in the making, learn and build some exciting new skills that will empower you to create something new.
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MONDAY Grades K – 8 Homeschool Program
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SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend
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SATURDAY Kids Night at the Museum* (Ages 5 – 12) 6:00 – 10:00 pm
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14 & 15
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MONDAY Science Fiction, Science Future Final Day
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18 & 19
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend
SATURDAY Science Night Live* (Ages 21+) 8:00 – 11:30 pm
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Make Fest
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Mess Fest FRIDAY Nature’s Wonder: The Curious and Beautiful World of Pollinators Premieres Fusion: A STEAM Gallery SATURDAY Bionic Me Premieres Presented by AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics Member Preview 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
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4&5
THURSDAY Summer Camps Begin
OPEN
EVERY DAY! MAY 30 – AUGUST 3 Orlando Science Center will be closed on Wednesdays beginning August 10.
All events subject to change *Additional fee required
JULY
AUGUST
ASTRONOMY MONTH
PALEONTOLOGY MONTH
Stars, and planets, and spaceships, oh my! Blast off as we explore infinity and beyond with out-of-this-world experiments, stellar live shows, and more.
If you really dig dinosaurs, then stomp in to discover our prehistoric past! Step into the role of a paleontologist and uncover fascinating fossils, see how you measure up to these life-sized lizards, and learn about dinos from the inside out with the Poozeum display.
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SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend
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WEDNESDAY Unveil Wedding Showcase 6:00 – 8:00 pm
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SATURDAY Science Night Live* (Ages 21+) 8:00 – 11:30 pm
Webb Telescope Celebration Day July Date TBD As soon as NASA sets a date, we’ll be hosting a stellar party to celebrate the Webb Telescope’s first photos! Check our calendar for event updates and join us for a picture-perfect party. In the meantime, check out Webb’s stellar friendship with Hubble here.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY Bank of America Weekend
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SATURDAY & SUNDAY Paleontology Party
Drop your children off for a guided evening of exhibits, STEM activities, a pizza dinner, & more! Get more info on upcoming events by clicking here!
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RECOMMENDE D FOR AGES
TRY THIS AT HOME
MEASURING RAINDROPS
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Don’t let summer afternoon showers rain on your parade! Turn a rainy day into an enriching experiment by using a few household items to investigate and measure the size of raindrops.
MATERIALS :
RULER
FINE-MESH STR AINER
BAKING TR AY OR DISH
FLOUR
L ARGE BOWL
To get started, pour a 1-inch thick layer of flour onto the baking tray. Smooth out the flour with the ruler until it is even and flat. Next, take the tray outside and let about 10 to 20 raindrops fall into the flour. Depending on how hard it is raining, this might be very quick! Very carefully and slowly, pour the flour through the fine-mesh strainer. There should be small clumps of flour left in the strainer when you are done – those are your raindrops! To measure them, gently pour the raindrops onto a flat surface and use your ruler to see how wide they are. Are they bigger or smaller than you expected? What unit of measurement is better for measuring raindrops – inches or centimeters? 12
SCIENTIST SPOTLIGHTS ADRIANA BAILEY Atmospheric Scientist & Scientific Translator When I left college, I thought I’d closed the door on being a scientist for good. I’d done terribly in freshman chemistry and math. I told myself I simply didn’t have what it takes. I figured the next best thing to being a scientist was to help scientists tell their stories and share their discoveries. Working as a science writer, I transformed complex topics into easy-tounderstand news stories. As a kind of scientific translator, I had to learn how to ask questions effortlessly. That’s when I realized I did have what
it takes to be a scientist: the confidence to say, “I don’t know; I don’t understand,” but to keep asking questions until I figure it out. Today, I’m a scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research asking my own questions and sharing my own discoveries about the water cycle. By studying how moisture moves through the atmosphere, forms clouds, and precipitates back to the ocean and land, I’m helping us understand the important role water plays in shaping how we experience changes in climate.
ALLISON GARGARO Fox 35 Meteorologist I remember sitting on my grandmother’s porch watching storms roll in off Lake Michigan and knew meteorology was something I wanted to be involved in when I grew up. Fast forward 20 years, and now I get to do what I love every single day. Being a broadcast meteorologist gives
me the chance to share my love of weather with the community and keep families safe and informed. If you love science or weather, keep following your dreams and remember, you can do anything you put your mind to.
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 career opportunities!
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OSC BOARD Q&A
Nirav Pandya:
Lifelong Learner, Lifelong Leader math was one of my favorite subjects growing up, so engineering drew me in because of the link to math rather than biology. I liked math, and I liked computers, so I put the two together! I graduated from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania with a Degree in Chemistry, and then I went to UCF to get my Degree in Computer Engineering.
Nirav Pandya is the CEO of Orlandobased tech firm Orion Technologies, and a proud Orlando Science Center Board Member. Recently, Nirav took time out of his schedule to discuss his passion for STEM education, the important roles museums play, and his hopes for the future of the field. You have degrees in both Chemistry and Computer Engineering. What sparked your interest in the sciences? I grew up in South Jersey, right outside of Philadelphia, so over the summers we used to visit The Franklin Institute often. When I was in 7th or 8th grade, I would take robotics classes there, and my parents would take me there on the weekends during the school year. The Franklin Institute is where I first began learning circuitry, and it played a significant role in my love of computers and circuit boards. I’ve always been interested in science. I 14 thought I wanted to be a doctor, but
Did you have any mentors or role models who helped shape that passion? For me, it was my dad. His whole career was engineering. He lived the American dream. He came to this country by himself; he left my mom and brother in India before I was born to make sure he could make a life for the family. He was a Civil Engineer but started out as a clerk for a company, and years later he ended up being an expert in some of the biggest civil engineering projects in the world, such as the Channel Tunnel between France and England. Our first family trip to Florida was because he was an expert on the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA. Engineering degrees have a reputation for being challenging. Were there any aspects of your studies that you found particularly taxing? The toughest part was towards the end when we started doing actual projects and putting what we’d learned into application. Being book
smart is one thing, but actually using that knowledge in the practical world is completely different. The fields of science and engineering move so fast that there are always new things to learn. The important thing about college is that it teaches you how to continue to learn. If you don’t continue to learn then it will be difficult to be successful in any role or discipline. How did what you learned in college translate to your first job in your field? In my career, I have only worked at two companies. When I first started out, I was an intern at a five-person company called Digital Imaging Infrared, and once I graduated, I stayed on there as an engineer. It was a company in Apopka that made infrared cameras for the Department of Defense and for Homeland Security. The basics that I’d learned in college were useful, and some of the basic circuit design work. Even as an intern, and then as an engineer, I was learning new computer languages and learning on the job. It was tough, but it was fun. Being a small company, the CEO at the time took me under his wing and taught me so much, which was great. I found out that I am a good communicator. It is often tough for engineers to learn communication and sales skills. Engineers can talk at a high level very easily, but often they’re speaking to someone who doesn’t understand all of that. It’s
important to learn to be able to talk high level when you need to, but to also be able to translate that information to others. If an engineer can learn that, the sky’s the limit for them. At that company, I went from engineer to sales, and then to VP of Sales, and then to COO, and then CEO over 11 years. We grew the company from five people to sixty-two. In 2010, you left that company and joined Orion Technologies as the President of the company. What was Orion like when you onboarded, and how did you navigate that transition to a new organization? It was a similar experience because it was also a five-person company. It was an opportunity to do it again and have people helping me. We’re at about thirty people now. When I onboarded, it was a lifestyle business for the owner at the time. We turned it into an actual operating business, and it’s been a fun challenge. I’m there to make everyone else’s jobs and roles easier and possible. When they need help, I try to help knock down the walls. I always think of the vision – in other words, what do we want to be when we grow up? We’re focused on defense, and lately we’ve gotten into missile defense, so I see us growing in that area. We’re helping keep people safe. We’ve made IED detectors for our troops, and we’re making an IFF system (Identifying Friend or Foe) to prevent friendly fire attacks. We’re making pieces of targets for the Missile Defense Agency, which they use to test their missiles. We’re just a piece of that puzzle.
Is there anything over the course of your career that you would do differently given the opportunity? There were a lot of mistakes, but nothing I would have done differently. It’s very important to make mistakes because we learn from them. I have this quote in my office – “Good decisions come from wisdom, and wisdom comes from experience, and experience comes from making bad decisions”. I would not change anything that I’ve done.
Being book smart is one thing, but actually using that knowledge in the practical world is completely different. The fields of science and engineering move so fast that there are always new things to learn.
What would you say to young people who are interested in pursuing a career in a STEM field? Do it! Be curious, and don’t lose that curiosity through the years. The opportunities are endless with science and math. STEM fields are continuously improving – they’re not stagnant, and people are always looking to advance them. Visit museums
and take classes. This is a message to parents, too. I don’t know if I would have fallen in love with the sciences the way that I did if my parents hadn’t taken me to the Franklin Institute and enrolled me in the classes there. My Dad was a civil engineer. He had no idea what a circuit was, but he enrolled me in these classes, which I loved. What are your hopes for the future of STEM careers? I would love to see more girls in them, specifically on the engineering side. There is a major diversity issue when it comes to gender. When I was in college, 20+ years ago, it was clear even then that the ratio was extremely one-sided. We hear so much about the pay gap between men and women. Engineering might be the one field where the pay gap is reversed. When a company finds a female engineer, they will do everything in their power to make sure they don’t lose her. Companies want to make sure they have diversity of thought. If you don’t have that, and you have ten people who all think the same, they will all come up with the same idea. Diversity of age is important too, but diversity of gender is very important and is missing in the engineering industry. The lack of diversity has always been noticed. It starts at a young age. I have a five year old daughter who is very curious, and I hope she holds onto that curiosity. Museums are doing a great job of encouraging this. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. 15 15
Orlando Science Center SCIENCE COMPETITIONS Curtis Rising Stars Challenge The Curtis Rising Stars Science Challenge introduces young students to science competitions and helps them develop teamwork skills. The competition is open to students in equivalent Grades K-5, who register through their educational organization. This year, students worked as engineers to design and create functioning aqueducts along with some other creative innovations!
Curtis Kinetic Science Competition The Curtis Kinetic Science Competition is open to students in equivalent middle school grades, in teams of up to five. This competition challenges students to transform ordinary and found objects into a kinetic system inspired by Rube Goldberg’s famous machines.
Science Challenge Competition Congratulations to Isabella Delbakhsh of Lake Highland Preparatory School for winning Best in Fair at our annual Science Challenge! Students in Grades 6-12 who have won first place in their county science fairs’ physical science competitions are invited to compete in the OSC Science Challenge. Isabella’s project used a statistical model to analyze the bias of different politically varying news sources concerning the Covid-19 vaccine in relation to U.S. vaccination uptake. She was awarded a $4,000 scholarship and a $1,000 award for her teacher, Dr. Lisa Davenport.
Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition Ella Pilacek, a sophomore at Oviedo High School in Seminole County, has won the top prize in the prestigious Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition at Orlando Science Center. Her research project, which was focused on proving that bees could be encouraged by Pavlovian conditioning to pollinate specific plant species, won a scholarship of $5,000, a $1,000 award for her science teacher, and an additional $1,000 for their school. 16
LIMITED SPACE REMAINING FOR STEM SUMMER CAMPS Orlando Science Center Summer Camps inspire students to get excited about STEM as they create, experiment, make new friends, and develop 21st Century Skills.
OUR CAMPS FEATURE: EXCITING THEMES Our interactive Summer Camps are designed and taught by OSC educators to engage campers in trending topics including robotics, space, nature, and so much more!
SAFE ENVIRONMENT American Camp Association accreditation and staff training ensure a safe, healthy environment.
FLEXIBLE OPTIONS Member, sibling, and multi-week discounts available! Early and Late Care are available for an additional fee. *Preschool is a DCF licensed center C09OR0729.
Download the Camps Guide at osc.org/summer-camps
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MEDIA RELATIONS
From OSC to Your TV!
DIY experiments and behind-the-scenes science is back on The Science of It Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the Science Center while we’re closed on Wednesdays? Sometimes, we’re turning our teammates into TV stars! Wednesdays are a perfect time to bring in some of our media partners to help showcase our wide variety of programming and educational experiences. We are so excited to have resumed filming for “The Science of It” with Alex Alecci, meteorologist for WESH 2 News! From homemade lava lamps and our favorite creepy crawlers to the explosive power of air pressure and stellar telescopic science, The Science of It features a wide variety of content. Sometimes our fantastic staff demonstrate science that you can only see at OSC, such as our Cool Science liquid nitrogen show. In other segments, we showcase activities and experiments that you can follow along with at home! For example, during Self Care Aware month, Alex created a Nature Portrait using loose items found around the Science Center. This was part of a social/emotional activity designed to help little learners understand their own emotions and how they interplay with others’ while engaging fine motor and creativity skills. Each segment on “The Science of It” aims to relate STEM topics back to our everyday lives.
What could be a better example of this than a segment on the science of the COVID-19 vaccine. One of our more popular segments this past year was about how vaccines work inside your body. This activity challenged learners of all ages to engineer their own solutions to prevent viruses from connecting with hosts. We were – and are – proud to do our part to help educate the Central Florida community about vaccinations and COVID-19. For the past two years, the Science Center has enjoyed this partnership with WESH 2 News that showcases science learning and unique exhibits. Due to some challenges, the program was on hiatus for a few months, but it resumed production in November 2021. Original segments of “The Science of It” can be seen every Monday and Saturday morning on WESH - CH 2 and its sister station, CW - 18.
You can catch up on previous segments of “The Science of It” on the Orlando Science Center’s YouTube channel, where we have a playlist of all the content we’ve covered so far. And don’t forget to tune in every week to keep exploring The Science of It with us! 18
MARK YOUR CALENDARS SUPPORT
Did you know that the Kiwanis Club of Orlando, one of Central Florida’s most active and involved community service organizations, has been serving Central Florida youth since 1921? The club’s foundation has contributed more than $7.5 million to community organizations in addition to countless hours of volunteer time. Orlando Science Center was honored to receive a generous grant award from the foundation in support of our educational outreach initiative, Neighborhood Science, which will provide free afterschool STEM programming for the students of the new Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center. Thank you for helping us bring engaging learning opportunities to the future STEM leaders of Central Florida, Kiwanians!
As part of their 30 Grants for 30 Years initiative, the DeVos Family Foundation (DVFF) will generously support Neighborhood Science programming at the Jacqueline Bradley & Clarence Otis Family Branch of the Boys & Girls Club. DVFF is a collaborative effort between the second and third generations of the Rich and Helen DeVos family. DVFF supports strategic projects and initiatives that impact the community, empower individuals to reach their full potential, and catalyze change. DVFF has a particular interest in programs that promote the healthy growth of children and families, provide every individual with pathways to opportunities, and foster thriving communities for people to live, work, and play. DVFF strives for impact through partnerships and funding primarily in West Michigan and Central Florida. For more information, please visit devosfamilyfoundation.org.
Thank you, Universal Orlando Foundation, for supporting Orlando Science Center’s educational outreach programming! The Universal Orlando Foundation is committed to making a difference in Central Florida. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded and pledged over $27 million to organizations and programs that take a proactive approach to community needs in the areas of education, children and families, and basic needs. Thanks to the Universal Orlando Foundation, OSC will partner with the Leesburg Boys and Girls Club branch to bring engaging afterschool educational opportunities to low-income youth in Leesburg. We appreciate all the Foundation does to support Orlando Science Center and our incredible community.
We are honored to be a recipient of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP)’s IF/THEN grant program. IF/THEN was created “to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM.” We tackled this challenge head-on with our STEM Explorers program. This program provided Girl Scout troops of all ages opportunities to visit the Science Center, where they experienced hands-on discovery labs, allowing the girls to learn about incredible female scientists, gain relevant career exposure and skills such as collaboration and problem-solving. Thank you for helping us empower these young learners as they make decisions for their futures. 19
STEM
NATURE
SCIENCE DISCOVERY PHILANTHROPY IDEA
TECHNOLOGY
FUTURE
INNOVATION
RESEARCH
ACCESS EXPERIMENTHYPOTHESIS
COMMUNITY
OBSERVATORY
INSPIRE
IMPACT
INVEST IN THE FUTURE Orlando Science Center’s Corporate Partnership Program is a customizable sponsorship program designed with your company’s philanthropic priorities in mind. This unique opportunity allows your company to support many areas of our mission, including workforce development and STEM education, while receiving year-round recognition through our exhibits, programs, publications, and special events.
YOUR EMPLOYEES BENEFIT: • Tickets to the Science Center and special events • Engagement and volunteer opportunities • Invitations to exclusive receptions and VIP events
YOUR COMPANY BENEFITS: • Reach an annual audience of 600,000+ • Logo recognition and advertisements • Support of workforce development through STEM education • Plus much more!
YOUR COMMUNITY BENEFITS: • Educational programs that bring STEM education to thousands across Central Florida • Development of new high-quality exhibits and experiences • Access for learners who experience OSC for free or reduced price • Increased youth participation from cradle to career 20
For more information, contact Nicholas Chapman, VP of Development at nchapman@osc.org or 407.514.2233.
Thank You Thank you to our many sponsors, food partners, volunteers, and distinguished guests for making Orlando Science Center’s 10th Annual Science of Wine a huge success! We were thrilled to have sold out the event, maximizing our ability to give back to our community. Hundreds of visitors embarked on an odyssey of the senses, enjoying over 150 fine wines and food samplings from local culinary partners. Through the generosity of our supporters, we raised critical funds for the continuation and growth of our programs and exhibits that enable us to inspire science learning for life.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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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!
Giving cloud storage a whole new meaning.
Mixing up some science and art!
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We love when little learners hop in to visit our Animal Ambassadors!
Our members are royalty - long may they “rain!”
Childre n imag ine the bes t f u t u re s!
levitating KidsTown has us th us! wi at come flo
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CALLING ALL OSC MEMBERS
Download the OSC Member App Today! This convenience for our members means your Membership Card is available digitally whenever you need it! Making reservations is a breeze and you can find the latest OSC news and updates right at your fingertips! In the Google Play store or Apple store, search “OSC Members” to download the Orlando Science Center Member App. Once you have downloaded and opened the app, tap in the top right, and log in using the same email address you gave us at the time of purchase, which is the primary email on your account.
Enhance Your Visit with the OSC App! Download the FREE App to Your Phone Today The official Orlando Science Center App allows you to unlock unique content and hidden experiences throughout our exhibit halls. Content is updated regularly so you can explore and learn something new every time you’re here! Search “Orlando Science Center” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or click the corresponding links below.
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