18 January 2013
Posted in Otronicon

Let The Games Begin! The four-day Otronicon event has begun. Check out the photos from Day One! 

Photos courtesy of Michael van Gelder.

18 January 2013
Posted in Otronicon

January 17, 2013

More than 200 VIP guests attended a sneak preview of Otronicon last night. The Science Center’s largest annual event, Otronicon is a celebration of technology that’s “made in Orlando, played in Orlando,” promoting the innovation that’s occurring in our backyard and its impact on how we live, learn, work and play. Speakers in last night’s presentation, included Science Center President JoAnn Newman plus Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart, Science Center Trustee and head of NAWCTSD/NSA Orlando Captain Steve Nakagawa and Trustee Daryl Holt, EA Sports VP and GM of EA – Tiburon.

The event was launched with a flash mob inspired by the film “Revenge of the Nerds” with dancers in nerd garb celebrating “geek chic.” Guests included Chase Smith from Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs’ office, Winter Park City Commissioner Sarah Sprinkel, Dick Harkey from Represenative John Mica’s office, Susan Fernandez from Senator Marco Rubio’s office, Cindy Brown from Representative Daniel Webster’s Office, David Odahowski from Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, Flora Maria Garcia from United Arts of Central Florida, and Dr. Ann Manley from Dr. Phillips Charities.

Photos courtesy of RF Photography and Jaffy Escarcha.

16 January 2013
Posted in Otronicon

Thinking back to high school geometry, did you ever think you might calculate the hypotenuse of a triangle in your adult life? Or apply the principles of acceleration learned in physics class?

For aviators, understanding math and physics is a must for reviewing flight plans and calculating fuel usage. Students, however, often don't see a correlation between math and science and their life experiences. Like generations before, they find themselves questioning when they will ever use the lessons taught in school.

What kids do understand is technology. 

When it comes to technology in education, there is an enormous amount of evidence that indicates immersive, game-based learning environments foster deeper learning and provide opportunities to develop and exercise collaborative skills.

It’s all a matter of harnessing gaming power for an academic purpose. Lockheed Martin is working to combine technology and learning for professionals and students through its Prepar3D® simulation software. It’s one conduit to help engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies.

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15 January 2013
Posted in Member News

We got messy during January's Member Monday!

The youngins played with spaghetti noodles, painted with balloons and crafted works of art with playfoam.

Go through our slideshow and see the fun that was had by our member families!

14 January 2013
Posted in Press and Media

Level Up!

It’s Year Eight for Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon

Friday, January 18 through Monday, January 21

Made in Orlando, Played in Orlando!

Orlando, FL (Jan. 11, 2013) - For the eighth consecutive year, multiple industry partners join Orlando Science Center to celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play during Otronicon January 18–21, 2013.

This year, partners including EA SPORTS, University of Central Florida and Florida Hospital for Children demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.

Otronicon is the Science Center’s largest annual event with an average of 2,500 visitors each day – more than 10,000 guests for all four days. The experience has the opportunity to inspire a child’s interest in science and tech careers through the appeal of video games, interactive technology and virtual reality.

There are classes in video game creation as well as exclusive peeks at simulators created by local experts. Simulation areas will examine how video game technology is being used in the military, medical, sports and entertainment industries as a training and design tool. Plus, connect with local simulation companies to learn about exciting careers in the field.

The event promotes the concept of “made in Orlando, played in Orlando” with many chances to interact with the creative professionals that make the games you enjoy and discover the growing career opportunities in your own backyard.

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20 December 2012
Posted in Our Planet, Our Universe

We’ve heard quite a bit of talk about the Mayan calendar and the supposed end of the world, but what does Dec. 21, 2012 really mean?

Much like we have ways to group time, such as seven days marks a week and 52 weeks make a year, the Mayans grouped time similarly albeit with a different number-base system. Today, the world uses a base-10 system, computers use a base-2 system (binary) and the Mayans used a base-20 system.

Just one of many Mayan calendars, the long count calendar comes to an end Dec. 21 and will “click over” to read “13.0.0.0.0.” This will mark the end of the 13^th baktun (properly b’ak’tun) and the beginning of the 14^th baktun. Each baktun is 144,000 days or 394.25 years in the long count calendar.

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