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Employee Newsletter: May 2026

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May 2026

NOT ALWAYS WHAT IT SEEMS

Is it science... or is it magic? A fascinating new exhibit arrives soon at Orlando Science Center!

PHENOMENA: The Exhibition invites guests of all ages to explore the science behind illusions and discover how human perception can be tricked in surprising ways

With more than 20 interactive experiences, the exhibit blends hands-on learning with visual wonder. The exhibition encourages people to think creatively and be curious about the world around them.

Visitors can experiment with gravity in the Zero Gravity Room, challenge their sense of depth on the Ladder to the Center of the Earth, and explore reflection and symmetry in the immersive Mirror Maze

Throughout the exhibit, guests are encouraged to test assumptions, experiment freely, and uncover the math and science that make each illusion possible

PHENOMENA challenges visitors to slow down, look closer, and think differently about what they see, reminding us that reality isn’t always as straightforward as it seems.

The exhibit will run from May 17, 2026 through September 7, 2026 with a special member preview the opening morning!

OSC UPDATES

SUMMER CAMP REMINDERS

Summer Camp 2026 is almost here! Summer Camp runs from Thursday, May 28 through Friday, August 7 (weekdays only).

Below are some important things to keep in mind during Camp:

The Clubhouse on Level 1 is off limits to everyone except for Camp Staff and Volunteers, unless for camp business. If you must enter the Clubhouse, you will need to be escorted by Camp Staff.

The restrooms in the Clubhouse on Level 1 and the STEM Discovery Center on Level 2 are off limits

Restrooms throughout the building may be used by campers as necessary Staff and volunteers may not enter a restroom if a camp class is occupying it

Thank you for your help during this upcoming busy season as we welcome hundreds of campers each week! If you have any Summer Camp questions, please contact Camp Management on radio channel 7

Jason Anderson

Dylan Bartley

Ella Binyam

Mac Bodden

Tyler Boley

Natalie Bonatis

Carissa Clay

Mary Cloer

Solaris Coton

Heidi Cusic

Mandi Cutting

Mona de Torres

Scott DeJesus

Ella Dougherty

Caleb Dunaway

Forest Duvall

Meghan Farmer

ALISON WALMINSKI

Alison’s passion for creating meaningful learning experiences shines through in her work, both on stage and behind the scenes

As one of Alison’s nominations shared: “She consistently goes above and beyond to create engaging, impactful programs with infectious enthusiasm.”

Sharlene Figueroa

Brandon Forman

Erica Gass

Emily Geary

Simi Gonzalez

SPARKS

Yami Gonzalez

Beth Hall

Kayson Hamblen-Matthews

Caprice High

Stephen Holt

Kristie Hoover

Ollie Hull

Jillian Johnson-Collier

Sky Lindeman

Raquel MacDermant

Zach Mailhot

Paulina Maldonado

Daniel Martinez

Analiese Melendez

Victoria Moix

Kadesh Munroe

Valentine Murphy

Angelisse Perez

Travis Potts

Amy Quesinberry

Natalie Ratzke (Programs)

Ananda Ribeiro

Nicole Rivera

Benjamin Robb

Lisa Robbins

Julian Rodriguez

Zsalaya Santana

Ivan Santana

Luis Santos Gonzalez

Riley Shanahan

Elizabeth Singh

Austin Smith

Margaret Spencer

Alice Theibault

Lewis Toms

Uyen Tran

Gabrielle Turner

Eric Vickers

Alison Walminski

Patrick Walsh

Samantha Weber

Gabe Williams

Kyle Younglove

Alison brings creativity, energy, and care to every opportunity, whether it’s in an exhibit hall, on the stage, or in a meeting Her dedication, kindness, and commitment to learning have made a lasting impact on guests and her team, as evident by her multiple nominations!

Thank you, Alison!

MAY 9 & 10 SAT & SUN Mess Fest

MAY

PHYSICS MONTH

This month we'll explore the forces that shape our world through hands-on experiments and awe-inspiring live demonstrations

of

2 & 3

Cinema:

Astronaut Final Day

Premieres

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Thank you for everything you do to make this a great experience for our family!

My husbandandIbroughtour 15-month-oldson and were sopleasantly surprised withhow muchthere was for him to do. We loved KidsTown, buthe also found fun things in every hall!

WehadourweddingatOSCand receivedsomanycompliments onhowfunthevenuewas.The EventsTeamwentaboveand beyondtomakeourvisioncome tolife!

My child loved the camp program! He is a future aspiring astronaut and loves all things space The camp team were great to work with

WewatchedtheMummies Unwrappedshowonthe DiscoveryStageanditwas great!

My son got a little overstimulated while there and we found the sensory room We really, really appreciated being able to have that private space for a few minutes!

KATIE GARLINGER May 2

TINA OWEN

2

KATIE HODGES May 3

APRIL BECKNER May 3

AUSTIN SMITH May 4

ANGIE PASTOR

LAUREN RAGAN May 5 AKAYLAH COOPER MANDY HOLDEN

7

9

9

KADESH MUNROE

KIRBY LEE

JUDY BRICKER - 24 years May 30

KLOE DELGADO May 11

11 TRAVIS

13

14

17

17

18

20

JAMES COCKCROFT

LEWIS TOMS

LINDSEY STONE

22

24

24

JUDY BRICKER - 24 years May 30

JUDY BRICKER - 24 years May 30

HORSES, HISTORY, AND SCIENCE CONNECTIONS

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re highlighting an unexpected but powerful connector across cultures and centuries: the horse

Long before engines and algorithms, horses were essential partners in human innovation. Across Asia, they played a critical role in early engineering, medicine, and scientific observation. Ancient Asian cultures developed advanced knowledge of equine anatomy, biomechanics, and health which laid groundwork for modern veterinary science and comparative biology.

In the United States, horses intersect with Asian American history During the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, Chinese immigrant laborers relied on horses and mules to move materials through harsh terrain

In the STEM industry, we often celebrate cutting edge technology but many of our

breakthroughs trace back to careful observation of the natural world

This month, we honor the contributions of Asian American communities and the living systems that helped shape scientific progress. Learn more by catching a screening of Horse Power 3D in the Digital Adventure Theater this month.

INCLUSION AND ACCESSIBILITY TRAINING

OSC has a continued partnership with KultureCity, an organization dedicated to promoting sensory accessibility and inclusion across the globe With this partnership, we have created our permanent sensory room on Level 4 along with sensory bags that guests can check out at the front desk during their visit

Learn more about KultureCity at www.kulturecity.org

Learn more about OSC's Accessibility practices at www.osc.org/access

To support this initiative, all front-of-house staff are required to complete a short online training annually provided by KultureCity The training takes approximately 35 minutes, followed by a brief 5-minute quiz

It offers valuable insight into creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all our guests

While mandatory for all front of house staff, all employees are encouraged to participate in the training.

Please take time to finish the training and the quiz at https://training.kulturecity.org/a uth/orlando-science-center

Training must be completed by May 31, 2026.

Horse Power 3D is playing at select times in the Digital Adventure Theater

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Employee Newsletter: May 2026 by Orlando Science Center - Issuu