The Orlando Science Center (OSC) is a private science museum located in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alliance 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.

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 become a "hands-on" science and technology center. In 1973 the institution was renamed 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. Its new facility was the setting for the Orlando Children's Museum scenes in Ernest Saves Christmas. 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 207000 sqft Orlando Science Center celebrated its grand opening on February 1, 1997. It is six times larger than the original facility, which closed on December 31, 1996. The current president and CEO of the science center is JoAnn Newman.

Exhibits

These are the current exhibits within the Orlando Science Center

Traveling exhibits

The Science Center has a history of hosting traveling exhibits that are displayed for a few months at a time in different galleries.

Theaters

The Science Center has two movie theaters that show both educational and Hollywood films as well as laser light shows. Check the Orlando Science Center website for a current list of movie show times.

Annual events

Facility rentals

The Orlando Science Center offers its facility to host meetings, special engagements, and weddings. The venue offers 50000 sqft of exhibits, a private theater, and IWerks movies.