Exhibits

Orlando Science Center's exhibit halls feature a vast array of exciting interactive experiences! Learning has never been so fun with these hands on educational exhibits. From down to earth explorations in natural science to the high-tech world of simulation technology, everywhere you look, you'll find educational and entertaining opportunities to explore, experiment, and discover.

Traveling Exhibits

The Orlando Science Center is home to some of the most exciting traveling exhibits in the country. Upcoming traveling exhibits at the Science Center include Blue Man Group – Making Waves and Adventures With Clifford: The Big Red Dog. When these exhibits are in town they are only here for a limited time; so don’t miss the opportunity to see them!

Exhibit Halls

As great as our traveling exhibits are, there are some exhibits that are the staple of the Orlando Science Center. NatureWorks will have you up close and personal with some of nature’s most fascinating reptiles. At DinoDigs, you’ll step back into the prehistoric age. Discover the dynamic forces and systems that shape our Earth, as well as other planets in Our Planet, Our Universe. Explore such concepts as electricity and magnetism, lasers, soundwaves, and nature’s forces in Science Park. No visit to the Science Center is complete without a trip to KidsTown, an interactive world dedicated to our smaller explorers.

Science Live! Programs

What’s the difference between a great visit to a Science Center and a memorable visit? Live programs. Our exhibits are designed to inspire curiosity and exploration, our Science Live! programs are designed to bring the exhibits to life. Whether it’s a show in the Digital Adventure Theater or a one-to-one interaction with a volunteer at the Crosby Observatory, our live programs create the kind of impact that can last a lifetime.

Science Stations

Looking for little more “hard science” in your next Science Center visit? Look no further than the Science Stations located throughout the facility. Science Stations are a cross between exhibits and live programs in that they’re exhibits that typically include a live program to truly bring the experience to life. Science Stations provide an in-depth look at their respective subject matter in an entertaining way. Be sure to check your program schedule to see which Science Stations are conducting demonstrations on the day of your next visit.

Crosby Observatory

The aluminum-domed Crosby Observatory atop Orlando Science Center houses Florida's largest publicly accessible refractor telescope. This one-of-a-kind custom-built telescope, along with several smaller scopes, are available at selected times for solar and night sky viewing.

Seven Minutes of Terror

27 July 2012
Posted in Science On A Sphere

The time has almost come for NASA’s Curiosity rover to land on Mars – hopefully. The 254 day journey from Earth to Mars is expected to end on Monday, August 6 at 1:31 a.m. EST should it survive the risky entry, descent and landing (EDL) typical of this sort of mission.

The difficult landing has NASA calling it “Seven Minutes of Terror” during which time, hundreds of technical events have to work together with split-second timing.

When Curiosity enters the Red Planet’s atmosphere, it will be traveling at 13,200 mph. Seven minutes later, it should be at rest on Mars’ surface. To relate, it’s like driving 65 mph down the highway and coming to a complete, controlled stop in 2.1 seconds. Not an easy feat!

[click the image below to see a larger view]

UCF Researchers Discover a Planet

24 July 2012
Posted in Crosby Observatory

A new planet has been discovered recently by researchers at the University of Central Florida.

The planet, named UCF-1.01, is 33 light-years away in the constellation Leo the Lion. While scientists have been able to confirm that more than 700 exoplanets (planets outside of our solar system) have been found since 1995, many of them have been much larger than Jupiter. This new planet, however, may only be 5,200 miles across – about two thirds the size of Earth.

The planet currently orbits a star called GJ 436, and researchers at UCF have spent the last year watching it to confirm that it was indeed a distant planet. UCF-1.01 is not quite a hospitable planet for humans, as researchers calculate that it whisks around its host star in 1.4 Earth days and at a distance of about 1.6 million miles; Earth is about 93 million miles from our sun. Temperatures more than likely exceed 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit which raises the probability that the surface of UCF-1.01 is molten (covered in lava) and any atmosphere would have been boiled away long ago.

Still, there are many things scientists don’t know about UCF-1.01 such as its mass and physical appearance, which are difficult to calculate due to its distance. As it stands, technology is a long ways away from determining the answers to these questions, so it may be "light-years" before we know more about this astonishing discovery.

The Fight for the Eastern Diamondback

18 July 2012
Posted in NatureWorks

Until recently, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake used to be one of the most common snakes that could be found in the Central Florida area just hanging out in your backyard or residing near a body of water. The diamondback populates the woodlands and costal habitats from southern North Carolina to Florida; however, their presence continues to diminish as time goes on. Due to indiscriminate killing, hunting and widespread loss of habitat, the number of diamondbacks has been steadily declining.

The eastern diamondback is not endangered, however. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced earlier this summer a 90-day finding for a petition to list the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as a threatened species. The organization is currently researching and reviewing the status of the species to determine if the threatened species classification is warranted under the Endangered Species Act.

The Fish and Wildlife Service has taken action by reaching out to state and federal natural resource agencies for information regarding the eastern diamondback and its habitat. A number of different parties have come together to help address this issue, as one of Florida’s well-known habitants slowly disappears. Once the review is complete, the listing of the eastern diamondback as an endangered species will either be: warranted; warranted, but precluded by other higher priority activities; or not warranted at all.

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Q&A with Local Storm Chaser Chris Kridler

19 July 2012
Posted in Science On A Sphere

Chris Kridler is an award-winning journalist and photographer as well as a 16 year storm chaser, having pursued storms in Tornado Alley and Florida. On Saturday, July 21, she will describe what storm chasing is really like through videos and photos. Utilizing the Science On A Sphere station, she'll also talk about the extremes and dangers of Florida weather.

Chris took some time to speak with us about her storm chasing experience.

How did you become interested in storm chasing?

I’ve always been fascinating by tornados even from a young age. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I remember seeing quite a few tornados and hiding out in the basement. And perhaps seeing The Wizard of Oz one too many times sparked my interest as well.

What’s the most amazing or terrifying weather related experience you’ve had?

On May 12, 2004, I was chasing storms with a group of friends when, about a half mile away, a tornado began tearing the roof off of someone’s home. As a storm chaser, destruction is something you never want to see. Luckily though, the family was safe. That tornado was one of about three we saw that day. Though our close proximity was not intentional, the sight of both the tornados being so close and their destruction was pretty terrifying.

What have you learned the most from chasing storms?

I’ve learned a lot about how the atmosphere works, how tornados form. Every storm is a new lesson for me. It’s also given me the adventure and opportunity of seeing America in my travels.

What excites you the most when chasing?

It’s an incredible visual experience to watch a storm develop into different shapes, sizes and colors. As a photographer, I am always amazed by the different spectrum of light and ever changing forms these buildings in the sky can take.

Do you have any advice for future storm chasers out there?

Absolutely! First of all, it’s not all excitement and tornados all the time. There’s quite a substantial amount of driving around involved and not every day is going to be a rollercoaster of excitement and tornados. Secondly, be safe and learn about the weather and storms. You need to have a good understanding of how these storms work.

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All About Heat Waves

12 July 2012
Posted in WFTV Severe Weather Center 9

While Florida is no stranger to scorching summer heat, heat waves can be extremely dangerous to humans, animals and even plants. We thought we’d share with you some awareness information so that you can be better prepared should a heat wave occur.

What is a Heat Wave?

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity, with very little air movement to help cool things down.

Why are Heat Waves Dangerous?

During heat waves, the human body is pushed beyond its limits. Under normal conditions, the body's internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in excessive heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature.

By being conscious of the signs, you can recognize heat-related illness before it gets serious.

Heat Cramps

Muscle pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion, which triggers loss of water through heavy perspiration. These usually involve the muscles of the abdomen or legs. Heat cramps are usually an early sign that the body is having trouble with heat.

Heat Exhaustion

Typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous physical activity or physical labor in high heat and humidity. Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; and exhaustion.

Heat Stroke (also known as Sunstroke)

A life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself. Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature.

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