The Orlando Science Center (OSC) is a private not-for-profit corporation, organized under the laws of the State of Florida, USA, and located in Orlando. Its purposes are to provide experience-based opportunities for learning about science and technology and to promote public understanding of science. The Orlando Science Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). The Orlando Science Center is member supported and sponsored in part by United Arts of Central Florida, Inc., the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council.
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Mission statement
The Orlando Science Center strives to provide science for everyone by creating opportunities for experiential science learning and promoting science literacy.
History
Incorporated in 1955, the Central Florida Museum (CFM) opened in Orlando Loch Haven Park in 1960. For its first decade, it was an anthropology museum with collections of artifacts relating to Florida and the Caribbean Basin. In the early 1970s, the CFM's board of directors voted to change directions and to become a "hands-on" science and technology center. In 1973 the institution was re-named to honor a famous native son and astronaut, John Young. In 1984, as part of an expansion and change of philosophy, the institution's name was changed to Orlando Science Center. In 1985 another major expansion created a permanent physical sciences hall, a traveling exhibit hall, and Curiosity Corner, a hands-on exhibit area dedicated to pre-school and early primary age children. During the final expansion to the original facility in 1990, NatureWorks, a prototype for OSC's centerpiece natural science exhibit was created. In May 1992, the Board and staff developed a comprehensive master plan for the Orlando Science Center, including a blueprint for construction of an entirely new science center. Construction of the new science center began in early 1995. The new 207,000 sq. ft. Orlando Science Center celebrated its grand opening on February 1, 1997. It is six times larger than the original facility, which closed December 31, 1996.
Current Exhibits
As of October 21, 2007, here are the current exhibits at the Orlando Science Center (In order from 1st floor). NatureWorks - An Exhibit where guest can discover the interactive, wild, and mild parts of Florida. KidsTown - A fun place where kids can go, play and discover the science all around them. Discover Daytona: The Science Of Speed - See the true Science behind what it takes to be a NASCAR driver and motorist. Bright House Family Lounge' - Come relax, sit down, and watch BrightHouse Television. Rockwell's Holiday Exhibit- Inside the Brighthouse Family Lounge, see how Norman Rockwell's paintings, come to life! DinoDigs- How do archeologist know how long ago the dino's were here? How do we discover bones without breaking them? You'll learn all about the dinosoaurs and archeologist at DinoDigs. Techlabs- Enjoy four hands on labs that teach you a little somthing about science. The Science Of Milk- Come see this one-of-a-kind traveling exhibit that talks about milk. (4th Floor exhibit hall)
