Did you know that Orlando Science Center is part of the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network? Play is a child’s superpower and it fuels curiosity, builds critical skills, and is one of the brain’s favorite ways to learn
This network of 21 science centers and children’s museums is making sure more children experience the magic of learning through play, within their walls and in their larger communities.
Play is at the heart of OSC’s mission to inspire science learning for all. We believe that when we have fun, we learn! Sure, not all educational experiences are playful, and not all play is explicitly learning, but there is a large overlap between the two
There are five main characteristics of playful learning (paraphrased):
Actively Engaging
Deep focus and attentiveness
Iterative
Making small, deliberate changes
Joyful
Feeling accomplished and being proud of work
Meaningful
Connecting experiences to prior knowledge
Socially Interactive
Offering and accepting ideas and tools from others
Our participation in this network has had several direct benefits for our guests and team members, including:
Year-long Neighborhood Science programming for youth in community centers
Development opportunities for all staff and volunteers
Professional development workshops for community partners
The Base Camp exhibit in Our Planet, Our Solar System
Participation in World Play Day activities in the Hive, KidsTown Studio, and camp programming
Contributed by Michael Kmietowicz
For more information on this network funded by the LEGO Foundation ® and hosted by the Association of Science and Technology Centers, click here!
OSC UPDATES
IT’S A COSMIC SUMMER
Orlando Science Center is launching Stellar Nights, a “cosmic summer” experience running Friday and Saturday evenings from July 10 through August 1, with extended hours until 10:00 p.m.
Guests can enjoy a more relaxed visit while exploring all four floors of exhibits, along with evening extras like laser light shows, live
planetarium programs, and telescope viewing in the observatory
Stellar Nights are included with general admission, with free entry for members, making it an easy way for our visitors to enjoy summer nights filled with discovery
Dylan Bartley
Ella Binyam
Nathan Bo
Natalie Bonatis
Madison Carden
Mary Cloer
James Cockcroft
Solaris Coton
Celeste Dixon
Ella Dougherty
Caleb Dunaway
Lindsey Ferringer
Think you know the Science Center like the back of your hand? Time to plug in and prove it. We’ve snapped photos of some of the most unassuming stars of our building power outlets
The quiz will stay open through July 22, and then we'll do a random drawing of 5 winners to receive an OSC water bottle and custom OSC pin
SPARKS
Simi Gonzalez
Maya Govea
Beth Hall
Miriam Hall
Caprice High
Kristie Hoover
Alexander Iacuzzo
Diana Kelly
Brandon Kief
Logan Kilburn
Kirby Lee
Sky Lindeman
Analiese Melendez
Valentine Murphy
Viv Quintero
Johnathan Ramirez
Natalie Ratzke
Ananda Ribeiro
Max Salazar
Ivan Santana
Elizabeth Singh
Beck Steele
Uyen Tran
IVAN SANTANA
A class from East Orange Head Start recently shared: “My class always looks forward to having Ivan with us The children are so engaged because he makes learning fun and exciting. We love him and can’t wait to see him again next school year.”
His peer nominations highlighted how his energetic and warm personality creates meaningful connections with students, teachers, and the OSC team
Ivan’s ability to represent OSC so positively leaves a lasting impression on everyone who meets him
His impact is not only felt across the team but out in our community.
Thank you, Ivan!
JULY 4 SAT
OSC is Open (4 of July) th
JULY
PHENOMENA MONTH
JULY 4 & 5
SAT & SUN Bank of America Weekend
Prepare to see reality in a brand new way as we highlight interactive illusions to challenge your senses and reveal the surprising science of perception
JULY 10 & 11
FRI & SAT Stellar Nights
JULY 11 SAT Solar Saturday
JULY 11 SAT
Storytime Cinema The Wizard of Oz
JULY 17 & 18
FRI & SAT Stellar Nights
JULY 24 & 25
FRI & SAT Stellar Nights
JULY 31 FRI Stellar Nights
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
The Orlando Nighy Sky experience in the Dome was wonderful and the staff made it incredible!
OSCis a fun andwhimsicalmuseum that isperfectfor allages!
Can you find all of the objects in this “Hidden Pictures” game from the classic kid’s magazine, Highlights?
While it may seem only for children, research shows that completing hidden-picture puzzles has cognitive benefits for adults
Tasks like this are lowstakes, simple, and have a beginning and an ending
The National Institutes of Health say that these types of activities help to improve memory and retention because of the moderate cognitive load that still challenges our brains but doesn’t overload them.
Plus, they’re fun!
DISCOVERY THROUGH MANY SENSES
Geerat Vermeij, a blind evolutionary biologist and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, has made pioneering contributions to the study of marine life Born in the Netherlands and losing his sight at age three, Vermeij developed a highly refined sense of touch that became central to his research
He studies seashells and fossils, often identifying species through texture and form alone His work has revealed key insights into predator-prey relationships and evolution pressures in the ocean.
His career highlights how discovery can thrive by using alternative methods of observation
His achievements challenge assumptions about disability and ability, demonstrating that curiosity, persistence, and creativity are at the heart of innovation in STEM
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