STEM SUMMER STARTS NOW
Summer is officially in full swing, and that means it’s time for one of Orlando Science Center’s most high-energy traditions
STEM Summer Camps! From now through Friday, August 7, we’re welcoming hundreds of curious young minds each week for a summer filled with discovery and hands-on fun
Our camps are designed for children entering Preschool through Grade 6, giving them the chance to dive deep into STEM topics. Whether they’re crafting experiments or building with engineering challenges, campers are engaged in meaningful, hands-on learning experiences every day.
Each week the camp themes range from Magic School Bus
adventures and Pokémon explorations to engineering challenges, simulation scenarios, and space discoveries
Behind the scenes, summer camp is a massive team effort. We’ve onboarded dozens of seasonal staff members and welcomed 150 youth volunteers to help create a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for every camper.
This summer, you’ll see hundreds of campers each week
exploring the building, learning, and playing together. It’s never a dull moment during OSC’s camp season!
With our American Camps Association and DCF accreditation, a few important reminders are worth sharing:
The Club House is the central hub for Camp and Field Trip check-in When in doubt, direct guests there
The Club House is closed to the public from 7:00–9:30am and 3:30–6:00pm. During these hours, non-camp staff should not enter without approval from camp management.
The Club House and SDC bathrooms are reserved for campers only during the summer.
OSC UPDATES
CHECK OUT THE DOME!
The Dome, by Dr Phillips Charities, is now open! We hope you are excited to step inside an amazing world of sight and sound with stunning 8k laser projectors offering unique experiences daily.
The Dome is enhancing the former CineDome, a cornerstone of the Science Center since 1997. With the upgrades, we’ll have access to brand new libraries of large screen films, amazing planetarium experiences, and all-out laser light shows.
The Dome has been in the making for years, with multiple teams putting their time and energy into ensuring it will be a successful hit with our guests and members
In The Dome, you’ll experience:
Planetarium:
Our planetarium shows bring the night sky to life as you explore Central Florida’s stellar nights with a live presenter.
Giant Screen Films:
These high-quality documentary productions, created by master filmmakers, boast powerful storytelling, vivid imagery, and incredible scale
Full Dome:
From deep space to nature and beyond, these shows are designed to teach you something new.
Laser Light Shows:
Music meets motion in these high-energy shows that combine vibrant laser visuals with your favorite tunes
The Dome is included with OSC admission and free to OSC Members!
Juan Alfonso
Maiya Baker
Dylan Bartley
Ella Binyam
Mac Bodden
Tyler Boley
Natalie Bonatis
Stephanie Borden
Mary Cloer
James Cockcroft
Caleb Dunaway
Lindsey Ferringer
Sharlene Figueroa
Alyssa Flores
SPARKS
Yami Gonzalez
Beth Hall
Caprice High
Mandy Holden
Ollie Hull
Alexander Iacuzzo
Jill Johnson-Collier
Daphne Kemak
Michael Kmietowicz
Kirby Lee
Zachary Mailhot
Analiese Melendez
Danielle Miller
Valentine Murphy
Tina Owen
Travis Potts
Amy Quesinberry
Viv Quintero
Jaki Redmond
Ananda Ribeiro
Ivan Santana
Elizabeth Singh
Elissa Smalley
Margaret Spencer
Eric Vickers
Alison Walminski
Jesse Zito
ALYSSA FLORES
(Programs)
Alyssa has made a powerful impact during the launch of The Dome!
As one of Alyssa’s nominations shared: “She has taken on this massive project to help create programs that our guests of all ages will love.”
From preparing planetarium content to guiding and training the team, Alyssa brings patience and heart to everything she does Her willingness to support others and ensure everyone feels confident is very appreciated
Her kindness shines through in every interaction, and her impact is felt across the entire team.
Thank you, Alyssa!
JUNE 6
Community Partner
JUNE
AEROSPACE MONTH
JUNE 6 & 7
& SUN
of America
Blast off with a high-flying celebration of flight and space sciences featuring hands-on activities, STEM challenges, and interactive experiences that inspire explorers of all ages
JUNE 13
Storytime Cinema: Zathura
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
As a pair of really senior citizens (89 and 94!) we thoroughly appreciated the courteous and caring staff and volunteers.
OCSemployees aregreat. We saw a littlegirllose her family in KidsTown andthe staff member was alert, aware and caredso muchaboutthe girl's safety. Sogenuine and nice to see!
Weloveallthepreschoolstaff! It’sclearthere’sapassionfor educationandcareforthe students - thishasbeensuchawonderfulandunique experience.
We absolutely adore OSC and are incredibly thankful for the Science For All program We are able to take our kids on field trips and special days because of your generosity
The new Dome was AMAZING! We watched the planetarium show,it was so educational and so beautiful. It was immersive and very thrillingto see.
Thestaffarehighenergy, excitedtosharescienceand veryengagingwithourkids!
May 30
Maria Goeppert Mayer was born on June 28, 1906 in California, USA.
Mayer is best known for proposing the nuclear shell model which is used to describe the structure of atoms
In 1963, she received the Nobel Prize in Physics.
REPRESENTATION MATTERS IN STEM
At its core, science is driven by curiosity. By people asking new questions and seeing the world in different ways. But for much of history, the stories we tell about science haven’t reflected the full diversity of those who contribute to it.
Pride Month is an opportunity to reflect on why representation in STEM matters, not just for individuals, but for innovation itself
Diverse teams consistently produce stronger, more creative solutions, and that’s especially true in fields that rely on complex problem-solving
Visibility also plays a powerful role in shaping belonging For young people in particular, seeing someone like themselves in science can spark confidence and possibility When representation is missing, it can send the opposite message... that science may not be a space for them.
Relatively little research has been done to collect data on the number of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields. One study by the Colorado State University
end of the
found that the LGBTQ+ community was underrepresented in STEM undergraduate programs by nearly 25% of the national average.
Another study by Yale collected anecdotal data showing that LGBTQ+ professionals are more likely to leave the STEM field than other communities
As a science center, we can help shape how people connect with science and with each other By telling more inclusive stories and creating welcoming experiences, we reinforce the idea that curiosity and discovery belong to everyone
This Pride Month, we encourage you to celebrate the many voices that strengthen science and continue building a community where all people feel empowered to explore and learn about our world.
Year! Year!
School School
