Join us for Orlando Science Center’s biggest STEM celebration of the year! Spark STEM Fest 2026 returns with cutting-edge partners, hands-on exhibits, and inspiring experiences designed to ignite curiosity in learne rs of all ages.
This four-day event brings together the region’s leading STEM organizations to engage thousands of youth and adults in discovery and innovation. It’s a dynamic celebration dedicated to inspiring future generations through interactive experiences with scientists, engineers, and STEM professionals.
For Teachers: Friday, February 13
A special day for school field trip groups featuring immersive, hands-on STEM activities. Students will connect directly with experts from across the scienti fic community. Teachers: Book early to reserve your spot! Learn more.
STEM for Everyone: February 14-16
Enjoy a weekend filled with interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, and the return of Jason Latimer’s expanded Impossible Science Live Show —a spectacular blend of science and magic that will blow your mind.
This event is open to all, especially families with schoolaged children and those with limited access to STEM resources. It’s a weekend of inspiration, exploration, and fun that you won’t want to miss!
Get Involved!
• E xhibit your work, or become a sponsor to receive exclusive benefits, including premium exhibit space and brand visibility.
• Learn more at ww w.osc.org/spark
Why Spark STE M Fest Matters
• R aising awareness of STEM in everyday life
• Bridging the STEM literacy gap
• Making STEM educat ion accessible
• Inspiring future STEM careers
Contributing Writers
Baker, Nicholas Chapman, Esha Gill, Jill Goddard, Lisa Hardt, Heather Mahoney, Christie Miga, Molly Nelson, JoAnn Newman, Gina Owen, Amy Quesinberry, Lisa Robbins, Christina Schreiber, Dr. MJ Soileau, Jeff Stanford, Angella Van Gelder
Graphic Designers Mona De Torres, Kristie Hoover
Photographers Sydney Baker, Roberto Gonzalez
THE CINEDOME ENTERS ITS SECOND ACT
The Dr. Phillips CineDome screened its final film on August 12. Leading up to that last show, we hosted a farewell tour of the same classic giant screen movies that were playing when the theater premiered in 1997. Our theater Director Amy Quesinberry, who was part of the crew that opened the theater, operated the projector for that very last show.
Amy was introduced to Orlando Science Center as a planetarium volunteer when she was a teenager and Orlando Science Center was still located in what is now Orlando Shakes. She later joined our team as an employee for the theater. She quickly became very adept at operating and maintaining the elaborate equipment.
After impressing the president of SkyScan during a visit to Orlando Science Center, Amy was recruited to install planetarium systems all over world, including Greece, Switzerland, China, Africa and one in the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner. After years of travel and forays into positions with hotels and attractions, she came back to help us run the Dr. Phillips CineDome.
Amy is part of an amazing team at the Science Center who are all devoted to creating high quality and engaging experiences for our visitors. We are dedicated to igniting curiosity and stimulating the imagination. We believe in providing an environment that inspires science learning for all
For almost 30 years, the Dr. Phillips CineDome with its massive dome screen has thrilled millions with immersive, giant screen movies. It was one of the last giant screen theaters in the United States still using film projection. We have now closed one chapter and began another. The theater will return to its roots as a planetarium while also blazing a new trail with digital 8K laser projection.
Thanks to the generous support of Dr. Phillips Charities and several major donors, we will bring cutting-edge planetarium shows to Orlando Science Center along with giant screen films and original laser light shows. The theater will be renamed The Dome by Dr. Phillips Charities and will be premiering in Spring 2026.
While this technology will take our theater experience to the next level, our team’s focus on educating and inspiring curious minds remains at the forefront. Passionate individuals like Amy are the foundation of our business. They inspire me just as their commitment to learning creates experiences that have inspired generations of curious minds. Sincerely, PRESIDENT/CEO
The He Art of OSC
What makes our science center special? It’s not just the exhibits or experiments – it’s the people. The thinkers, the dreamers, the doers. We’re excited to let our team members shine in a new exhibition for Fusion: A STEAM Gallery. The HeArt of OSC will be on display from September 6 through December 7, 2025, featuring art from Orlando Science Center staff and volunteers.
This exhibition is a celebration of the creativity that lives at the heart of our science center. Every piece in the collection reveals a connection between creativity and science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Both science and art are fueled by curiosity, skill, and passion, and our team has those qualities in spades!
You’ll see paintings, photos, sculptures, textiles, and more, each accompanied by insights from the artist about how the piece connects to STEM. A handmade dress, for example, becomes a conversation about geometry and measurements. Sewing, as it turns out, is filled with mathematical decisions from pattern drafting and seam allowances to symmetry and proportion.
As another example, digital paintings utilize the latest in touch-based digital illustration technology to create worlds big and small. One artist blends microscopic photography
with whimsical, space-themed doodles, inspired by the cosmic appearance of microscope slides. Each element of their work is a tiny world reimagined, somewhere between a lab slide and a galaxy.
The creative and procedural sides of our brains are often discussed as “in conflict” with one another: right brain versus left brain, emotional versus logical. But in truth, the best scientists and artists use both sides. Science requires wonder to inspire curiosity, imagination for crafting hypotheses and designing experiments, and passion to see their investigations through to their conclusion. Wonder, imagination, and passion are all qualities that are typically associated with artists, but there they are in STEM!
On the other hand, photographers learn to incorporate mathematical ratios for the most visually pleasing compositions. Painters might choose between oil and acrylic paint based on their viscosity or light-refracting ability. Sculptors often use recycled materials in their creations, exploring sustainability and the life cycle of materials. Just as there is art in science, there is science in art.
The HeArt of OSC is about more than creativity. It’s about the connections we all make between what we know, what we feel, and what we can share. Science and art both ask us to observe, to question, and to imagine new possibilities.
Whether you’re a science buff, an art lover, or just someone curious about how things work, The HeArt of OSC offers something to inspire you. Come see how our team brings science to life beyond our exhibits and education programs.
Layers of Reality, mixed media by Diogo Sousa.
Micro-cosmos, digital collage by Anastasia Vakh.
Dine with the Dinosaurs, Dance Under the Stars, Celebrate with Orlando Science Center.
Orlando Science Center invites you to host an unforgettable wedding at a venue as unique as you are. Make a dramatic statement by holding your wedding in our grand five-floor facility conveniently located in beautiful Loch Haven Park.
ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER
Board of Trustees Fiscal Year 2026
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Jim Atchison President & CEO, Retired SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Rebecca Church Vice President of Marketing Massey Services, Inc.
Michelle DeVos Partner
Orlando Magic Ownership Group
Roi Ewell Founder and Principal Ewell & Associates, LLC
Zeke Flores CEO Flying Concessions
Collin Hayward Director – Energy & Utilities 1898 & Co.
Dr. Sarah Layton Managing Partner & Broker L & M Wildwood Property Holdings, LLC
Brendan Lynch Shareholder Lowndes
Lynn Sedwick Tax Partner RSM US, LLP
Dr. Richard Signer Chief Medical Director, Pediatric Surgeon, Retired AdventHealth for Children
VOTING TRUSTEES
Maureen Brockman Vice President Embrace Families Foundation
Eric Burris Meteorologist WESH, Channel 2
Jaison Busby Vice President, Digital & Technology
Orlando Utilities Commission
Juliana Calloway Owner Black Rooster Taqueria
Oluchi Chuku Senior Vice President Bank of America
Lisy Correa Audit Senior Manager Deloitte, LLP
Kassandra Crimi Meteorologist WFTV, Channel 9
Jim DeCarlo Shareholder GreenbergTraurig, LLP
Shilpa DeshpandeFinnerty Advocacy Attorney / Philanthropist Deshpande Family Foundation
Valentina Ellison Chief Development Officer Earl Enterprises
Christina Epperson Associate GrayRobinson, P.A.
Arash Farshid CEO Doorbell Capital, LLC
Melanie Forbrick Vice President of Communications, Head of Global Brand Engagement Siemens Energy
Brian Gill Chief Revenue Officer Thumbprint
Tonja Graham Supplier Engagement & Diversity Manager Duke Energy
Lawrence Hatch Executive Vice President, Central Florida Market President First Horizon Bank
Tina Henton Principal CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP
Eric Lehman Vice President of Sales Technology West Group
Sean Murphy CEO 3N2 Sports
Sarah Nemes Director of External Affairs SeaWorld Parks & Resorts
Dawn Ofodile AVP, Regional Community Engagement VyStar Credit Union
Ben Robinson Partner Holland & Knight
Camden Rock Business Development Analyst Signature Aviation
Dr. Bret Scheuplein Chief Medical Officer Complete Care
Shawn Strandberg Assistant Vice President Orlando Health Physician Associates
Dr. Peter Wearden Director and Chair Nemours Children’s Health Systems
André Williams Vice President, Engineering & Technology, Engineering Excellence
Lockheed Martin
Keshia Woodie Director of Social Responsibility Orlando Magic
EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES
Captain Robert Betts Commanding Officer
Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
Melissa Byrd
School Board Member, District 7 Orange County Public Schools
Sabrice Guerrier Associate Professor Rollins College
Mike Hess Director of Sustainability, and the Future-Ready Initiative City of Orlando
Dr. Elizabeth Klonoff Vice Provost and Dean, Retired UCF College of Graduate Studies
Kristine Kraus
School Board Member, District 1 Seminole County Public Schools
Dr. Stephen Summers
Associate Vice President, School of Arts & Sciences Seminole State College
Andrea Wesser-Brawner Chief Strategy Officer The Florida High Tech Corridor
Gear up and strap in because math is about to go off the rails at Orlando Science Center! In 2TheXtreme, the only limit is you, so let’s see how far you can go. In this interactive traveling exhibit, guests will go head-to-head in sports, set the stage for creativity, design the unthinkable, and explore worlds far beyond their own backyard, all while using the power of mathematics!
Join the Botz , your animated pit crew, as they hand over the magical math goggles, allowing you to see where all the action STEMs from! Each Bot specializes in a specific skill set designed to help you accomplish each challenge. With the right number of tools and witty personalities, they’ll push you one step closer to the ultimate goal of being the master of math!
Whether you’re shredding the half-pipe, committing to the ollie, or racing your friends down a snowy hill, having math up your sleeve can be the difference between wiping out and sticking the landing. In Ramp It Up, create your own virtual skateboard and manipulate variables such as wheel size and board length to see how they affect your tricks. Take your skills to a snowier environment in Boardercross as you learn about angles while racing down the mountain on your virtual snowboard by pivoting and torquing your body to beat everyone to the finish line.
Strike a pose and groove to the beat in Style Revolution and Mix It Up! Use freeze-motion technology used in movies to capture your pose from every angle. Explore the inverse relationship between the number and size of the camera’s angles while getting ready for your close-up. Become a music producer and interact with giant instruments to create sounds while learning the mathematics behind rhythm, pitch, and frequency. Create the soundtrack that gets people dancing!
Let your imagination take you to new heights, whether that's exploring the weather in your own backyard or learning about life on Mars. In each of these very different environments, learn how to collect data in real-time to create your own weather forecast or navigate different terrains on another planet. Discover how to use amazing technology to help learn about the world around us!
Math isn’t just behind all the action – it IS the action! From kickflips to photo shoots, skyscrapers to snowboards, math makes it possible. So grab your gear, pick your challenge, and go 2TheXtreme
Member preview: September 27 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
2theXtreme
CITIES OF THE FUTURE
Discover the Innovations Transforming our World Now Playing in the Digital Adventure Theater
Imagine stepping 50 years into the future and finding smart cities designed to be totally sustainable. Renewable energy is our primary power source, space-based solar power provides solar energy 24 hours a day, everything is recycled, and you travel in individualized pods that run on little or no energy. This isn’t science fiction. Engineers are making plans for a sustainable world right now, and it’s coming to the Digital Adventure Theater!
Cities of the Future is inspired by a global initiative called Future World Vision, designed to transform the way we think about our cities and infrastructure. Engineers are working to solve the world’s most pressing problems as they embrace new technologies to make our communities safer, more sustainable, more livable and more equitable.
Cities of the Future is produced in association with American Society of Civil Engineers.
See what is now playing, check show times, watch trailers, and more at os c.org/theaters .
Digital Adventure Theater
Showcasing a diverse range of shows in 25-minute, 40-minute, 2D, and 3D formats.
FALL SEASO N
Superhuman Body: World of Medical Marvels
Cities of the Future
Desert Elephants
Wings Over Water
Back from the Brink
Storytime Cinema
Charlotte's Web (September 13)
Casper (October 11)
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial (November 8)
The Good Dinosaur (December 13)
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
FANTASY MONTH
Step into a world where dragons breathe plasma, wizards wield chemistry, and time travelers unlock the secrets of space! Explore how potions are really chemistry, how teleportation relates to physics, and how alien ecosystems teach us about our own planet. Science has never been this spellbinding!
C HEMISTRY MONTH
This month, science gets hands-on, bubbly, and a little bit explosive! Discover the magic of molecules through colorful reactions, kitchen chemistry, slime labs, and more. With interactive experiments, live demos, and guest scientists, kids and grown-ups alike will uncover the science behind the everyday (and the extraordinary)!
Cinema Casper (1995) 11:30 am - Based on the character from the comic book series by Seymour Reit and Joe Oriolor
am - 4:00 pm
NOVEMBER
ASTRONOMY MONTH
Strap in and prepare for liftoff, Astronomy Month is launching! We’re over the moon to bring you stellar activities, from hands-on engineering missions to cosmic challenges that are out of this world. Discover the science behind rockets, navigate the solar system, and let your curiosity take orbit.
DECEMBER
PALEONTOLOGY MONTH
Dig into history! From hands-on activities to real fossil explorations, discover how paleontologists piece together the past. And don’t forget to wrap up the year with your favorite dinosaurs as they twinkle in Dinos In Lights. It’s a dino-mite way to celebrate science during the season!
What’s Next for Our Giant-Screen Theater?
It’s the end of an era but the start of something beautiful! The Dr. Phillips CineDome is currently closed for renovation. We look forward to reopening our giant-screen theater, The Dome presented by Dr. Phillips Charities, in Spring 2026 as a cutting-edge digital theater and planetarium, featuring 8K laser projection.
Since 1997, the Dr. Phillips CineDome has thrilled almost 4 million viewers with giant screen documentaries. Its 79-foot diameter tilted screen pitched over its 300+ seats makes it one of the nation’s largest dome theaters. This new system will enable dynamic storytelling in the digital age, allowing the Science Center and its partners to showcase their expertise and engage audiences in innovative ways.
The renovations will include the installation of an 8K full dome digital projection system, replacing the original 28-year-old film-based technology. It will have up to 8 digital projectors that utilize laser light sources – an upgrade from the lamps used in film projectors that require frequent replacement. A new immersive, powerful audio system will heighten the sense of reality and impact of shows. We’ll also be replacing the theater's dome screen and installing all-new seating. Orlando Science Center was established in 1955 and was
We Couldn't Do It Without You!
once known as the John Young Museum and Planetarium. The enhancements to our giant-screen theater will greatly improve the quality of our movie experiences and return us to our roots as the home of Orlando’s premier planetarium shows. We also look forward to reintroducing laser light shows when the theater reopens!
The stunning, immersive environment of the new Dr. Phillips Dome will be a unique venue for guests to explore and learn about many subjects and embark on journeys around the globe and deep into space. The reconfigured seating will also allow for guest speakers, live shows and demonstrations during special events.
We’re grateful to Dr. Phillips Charities, Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs, The Chesley G. Magruder Foundation, The Bert W. Martin Foundation, and many other donors and supporters for their generosity in making this renovation a reality, and we look forward to reopening The Dome in Spring 2026. We’re excited to take this step forward while honoring our history, and we hope that this renovation will enable us to further inspire curious minds and instill passion for a universe of unlimited possibilities.
The CineDome has taken us on incredible journeys, from films like The Living Seas, Dolphins, and the breathtaking adventure of Everest .
We want to thank the dedicated individuals behind the scenes, including the amazing employees both past and present who have brought these experiences to life and created lasting memories for generations. Your passion and commitment are what make our theater truly special.
The Dome presented by Dr. Phillips Charities will return us to our roots as the home for Orlando’s premier planetarium shows.
Taking Action for the Planet
Conservation isn’t just something that happens behind the scenes at Orlando Science Center – it’s part of the experience! With the debut of the new Conservation Hallway on Level 1, nestled between the Life exhibit and 4Roots Cafe, guests are invited to explore the big challenges facing our environment and the bold solutions that are making a difference.
This new exhibit space is a vibrant showcase of the Science Center’s expanding role in conservation and sustainability. Featuring colorful visuals, it highlights three key conservation causes supported by OSC: Golden Lion Tamarin protection, Purple Martin conservation, and coral reef restoration.
Each wall offers a deep dive into the species and ecosystems that need our help and suggests ways we can be part of the solution. Guests can touch replica coral, learn about sustainable nesting habitats for Purple Martins, or track how tree corridors are reconnecting tamarin territory in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. We’re excited to expand this exhibit as time goes on, too.
One of the most compelling stories in the Conservation Hallway is that of the Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia). These small, striking primates have lost 98% of their native habitat due to deforestation, forcing them into small, disconnected patches of forest. Through our partnership with Save The Golden Lion Tamarin and Brazil’s Associação Mico-Leão Dourado, we’re helping to regrow tree corridors to connect their fragmented home range, which is crucial for their survival.
Although our resident monkeys are GoldenHeaded Lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus
chyrsomelas) – a closely related species – their presence in the Rainforest gallery offers guests a chance to come face-to-face with this family of endangered primates. Seeing these creatures up close helps visitors understand what’s at stake and why conservation matters.
Beyond species protection, the Conservation Hallway also shines light on OSC’s broader environmental initiatives. From our longstanding Project A.W.E.S.O.M.E. program with OUC – The Reliable One, to our Gold LEED certified building and our climate education programs, every aspect of our operations reflects a deep commitment to sustainability.
This work is also part of a bigger goal: accreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA sets rigorous standards for conservation, education, and animal care. Now that Life has been open for over a year, we are eligible to apply for this designation, and our expanding conservation work is a crucial part of this effort.
But for you, our guests, the impact is felt most strongly in moments of connection: when a child learns about tamarin conservation with the echo of the monkey’s call in their mind, when a visitor marvels at coral diversity after getting hands-on in the touch pool, or when someone pledges to host nesting boxes for migrating birds. These small experiences can spark a lifelong commitment to conservation.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime Member, we invite you to explore the Conservation Hallway and discover how you can help protect the planet – one species at a time.
BUTTER BELIEVE IT!
MATERIALS
• 1 pint of heavy cream (You can use any amount you choose!)
• 1 cup with a secure lid (You can use any size container!)
• Plastic wrap or wax paper
DIRECTIONS
1. Pour the cream into the plastic cup until it’s less than halfway full. Make sure to leave room for shaking.
2. Seal the cup tightly with the lid.
3. Shake the cup vigorously for about 5-10 minutes. You’ll notice the cream first thickens into whipped cream, then begins to clump.
4. Keep going! Soon, you’ll see a yellow lump form (that's butter!) separated from a white liquid (that’s buttermilk).
5. Drain the buttermilk from your plastic cup. You can save it, drink it, or toss it! Optionally, rinse the butter with cold water to remove any remaining liquid, which helps it stay fresh longer.
6. Wrap the butter in plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate it or enjoy it fresh on bread or crackers!
What’s Happening?
This activity shows how physical changes can separate mixtures. When shaken, the fat molecules start to stick together. First, it becomes whipped cream as air is added. With continued shaking, the fat forms a solid (butter) and pushes out the liquid (buttermilk). The process is quicker at room temperature or slightly warm, as heat helps fat molecules move more easily.
1 5 4
Optional Extension
As the temperatures change, try this activity outside on a warm, sunny day and compare it to making butter in colder conditions. Which one is faster? What difference does temperature make? How much of the heavy cream turned into butter?
Homeschool Program for Grades K-8
Our monthly Homeschool Program exposes students to a variety of STEM topics, offering the opportunity to engage with peers and encounter resources they may not have at home! For more details, including pricing and registration, visit osc.org/homeschool
EACH COURSE INCLUDES:
• Standards-based Discovery Lab
• Exhibit experiences
• A show in the Digital Adventure Theater
• Work samples for student’s homeschool portfolio
UPCOMING THEMES:
September 8: Engineering
October 6: Physical Science
November 3: Biology
December 1: Computer Science
WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT, BREAK CAMPS ARE IN!
Full-day programs are available for children in Preschool* –Grade 5. From robots and slime to critters and creations, engaging Break Camps give children a hands-on and fun way to spend their time off from school and explore the far reaches of STEM.
Member pricing and multi-day discounts are available, but space is limited so register early! Learn more and register today at osc.org/break-camps.
FALL 2025
October 13
November 24-26
December 22-23
December 26
Dec. 29 – Jan. 2
WE HAVE BIRTHDAYS DOWN TO A SCIENCE!
Choose from one of our 3 all-inclusive party packages designed to take the hassle out of planning your child’s party so you can relax and celebrate too!
PARTIES INCLUDE:
• Free admission and parking for all your guests
• A 60-90 minute private party
• Hands-on science programming
• Fun themes, food and beverages, and so much more!
• Party Animals
• Exploration Space PICK A THEME, MAKE A GUEST LIST, AND LEAVE THE REST TO US!
• Weird Science
You’re invited to the only fundraiser where science and suds mix! Brew knowledge at the fifth annual Science on Tap. This family-friendly event will feature a diverse range of craft beers and brew tasting from Central Florida’s local breweries for those over 21, as well as lawn games and handson experiences for guests of all ages.
• Fantastic Jurassic
Limited times available! Book yours today at OSC.ORG/BIRTHDAYS
January 24 • Outdoor Beer Festival
Get ready to explore a variety of flavors, from sippable ciders to robust ales, rich IPAs, and so much more! Plus, enjoy science demonstrations and live music. Between thirstquenching flights, grab some light bites from local food trucks! All proceeds from this event allow Orlando Science Center to inspire
science learning for all through engaging experiences that foster science literacy and illustrate the transformative power of STEM.
Follow us at @orlandosciencecenter for more information and grab your tickets at Science on Tap. Cheers to a Happy New Year!
Weather Permitting
SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH
Our telescopes are ready and available for safe solar viewing experiences! View realtime solar activity like sunspots and solar flares, and learn how astronomers study space weather and the Sun’s impact on Earth. Experience stellar science in action.
NOVEMBER 15 & 16
Embark on a journey through the stars! Experience the wonders of the universe with hands-on activities, captivating films, and inspiring talks from expert guest speakers. Whether you’re a stargazer or just space-curious, this event is your ticket to exploring the universe like never before!
Fossil Fest
DECEMBER 27 & 28
Unearth the fascinating world of ancient creatures through fossil digs, interactive exhibits, and fun activities that bring the science of the past to life. Meet real paleontologists, examine fossils, and learn how scientists uncover the secrets of Earth’s history - one bone at a time!
NOVEMBER 8 – JANUARY 6 SHOWING DAILY!
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a dino-twist. Gaze upon Stan the T. rex and his fossil friends in a festive light show set to holiday music. Don’t forget the wintery surprise at the end!
William Wakefield Wins Dr. Ying Competition Orlando Science Center SCIENCE COMPETITIONS
William Wakefield, a senior at Pine Crest School in Boca Raton, earned first place in the 2025 Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition at Orlando Science Center for his groundbreaking research in neurology.
His project, developed over two summers at the Mayo Clinic’s Neurology AI Lab, uses artificial intelligence to simplify the process of diagnosing dementia. William created a computer tool that can identify the disease with a single brain scan, offering a faster and more accessible path to early detection. For his achievement, he received a $5,000 scholarship, along with $1,000 awards for both his science teacher and his school.
For 26 years, Dr. Nelson Ying has partnered with Orlando Science Center to recognize and support outstanding student scientists. Since its founding in 1999, the Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition has encouraged young researchers to apply their talents to real-world challenges and make a positive impact on their communities.
Past winners of the Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition have continued their research at top universities, earned recognition in national science fairs, and launched meaningful careers in STEM fields, including positions at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. To be eligible, each participant must be a Florida high school student conducting a research project with the goal of making a positive impact on humanity.
This year, submissions were accepted from throughout the state, with finalists selected from schools in Altamonte Springs, Orlando, Bartow, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach. The projects explored a wide spectrum of real-world challenges, including cancer treatment innovation, AI tools for human communication, freshwater public health threats, and wildlife conservation through social data analysis. In addition to the grand prize winner, each of the
remaining finalists also received a cash award to support the continuation of their research projects.
William’s project was inspired by his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s. He created a compression algorithm that turns brain scans into graphs, allowing dementia to be diagnosed with 95% accuracy using just one scan. His tool also improves predictions by comparing new cases to existing ones. William’s research was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, and he is the only high school student to present at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. He has also earned top honors at national competitions and will attend Yale University this year.
For information about applying for the 2026 competition, please visit Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
Orlando Science Center’s science competitions provide students with more than just awards. They help build essential life skills that last well beyond the event. Participants strengthen their abilities in critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and communication, while also learning
the importance of adaptability, time management, and staying organized under pressure.
In addition to personal growth, students connect with peers who share their interests and receive mentorship from STEM professionals serving as judges.
These connections often evolve into long-term support networks and open doors to future opportunities. For many students, the competition is a defining moment that inspires new passions and helps shape their path toward success in science and beyond.
2025 Dr. Nelson Ying Science Competition Finalists
Aksh Ladegaonkar – Sophomore, International Baccalaureate at Bartow High School, Bartow
Aksh was runner-up for developing a targeted chemotherapy system that releases enzymes only in pancreatic tumors, reducing harm to healthy tissue. Inspired by his aunt’s cancer battle, his work offers a safer, more precise treatment option.
– Senior, Lake Brantley High School, Altamonte Springs
Alyssa turned her passion for wildlife conservation into data-driven advocacy by surveying public perception of the endangered Florida panther. She gathered over 1,200 responses from across the state and is sharing her findings with organizations supporting the Florida
– Freshman, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, West Palm Beach
Brain-eating amoebas are a rare but serious concern in Florida’s warm freshwater lakes. Joanne explored a solution by identifying a bacterium that destroys the deadly organism without harming the environment, offering a safe and promising way to prevent future infections.
– Sophomore, Orlando Science High School, Orlando
It can be hard to tell if someone is truly paying attention during a conversation, especially in classrooms or professional settings. Mahie built an AI tool that analyzes facial cues like eye movement and head direction to gauge attentiveness with high accuracy. The technology could help improve communication and focus in both education and the workplace.
ASK A SCIENTIST
Our inaugural Scientist in Residence, Dr. M.J. Soileau has a passion for learning and educating the community through STEM. You’ve asked him some of your burning questions and he has answered!
Why don’t plants grow in my stomach when I eat their seeds?
When we eat, our body quickly digests the food in a bath of strong stomach acids, liquifying the food so that our stomach walls can absorb the nutrients released and deliver them to the body parts that need them. If our stomach acids are not strong enough to liquify the seeds, then our body expels the seeds in our poop.
Does the Moon have water in it?
Yes! Satellites orbiting the Moon have detected water in deep craters at the Moon’s north and south poles. These craters are deep enough that no sunlight reaches these ice deposits. This will likely play an important role as we plan manned stations on the Moon and prepare for trips to Mars.
What is your favorite part of being a scientist?
It’s interesting and fun! I have spent most of my life trying to better understand our world – and the better I understand the scientific basis of our world, the more I can enjoy living in it.
"As a career, being a
scientist
has been unlike anything I could have imagined."
My employers and granting agencies paid for the tools (read: toys!) that I needed. I got to work with people from all over the world and travel to fun and interesting places. I made many new friends from many cultures. Colleagues treated me as a family member, and I learned firsthand how they lived, tasted the food and drink they enjoyed, and appreciated the values we shared.
The ultimate joy is to learn something new! This is sometimes called the “ah-ha moment,” a moment in which you know something that nobody else does. This is an experience like no other. It leads to a new beginning, the next steps found in the new questions that occur to you, again and again – until suddenly, you look back and realize you’ve completed an incredible journey.
Then you get to teach others what you have learned, a process that in itself produces new learning experiences. The cycle never ends!
Orlando Science Center is excited to announce the opening of our new permanent Sensory Room on Level 4. Created in collaboration with KultureCity and presented by AdventHealth for Children, the Sensory Room will provide a safe and calming environment for our visitors with sensory needs to take a break if our halls ever become overwhelming.
Humans are commonly said to have five primary senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. However, neuroscientists also include three additional sensory systems: the vestibular sense (balance), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (internal body sensations).
Our sensory processing system encompasses these eight senses and is our nervous system’s way of organizing and processing sensory input from our environments and our bodies. For individuals with sensory needs or sensory processing impairments, this function is either limited, dysfunctional or non-existent – which is what might lead someone to experience a sensory overload.
Introducing Our Permanent Sensory Room
Presented by AdventHealth for Children
The Sensory Room is designed to make Orlando Science Center more accessible for guests with these specific needs. The room features carpeted floors and walls, a dimmer switch for lighting, and a variety of sensory tools, including:
• Three Yogibo Pod X Sensory Bean Bags with a cocoon-like design, offering a cozy haven that’s ideal for sensory seekers and relaxation.
• A NunoErin Cube, which provides an ever-evolving sensory experience through 12 interactive, touch-sensitive light programs with a spectrum of colors and intensities.
• A Nanoleaf Light Panel customized to paint gentle animations, providing a calming effect while delivering a beautiful experience of color and light.
• Two Air Walls that create captivating visuals by utilizing air to launch small Styrofoam balls, lit softly to ease anxiousness. The air pumps also create white noise, providing the additional benefit of drowning out other sounds.
• Four manipulative touch panels provide an additional soothing activity, encouraging guests to use different available movements. These panels productively distract and occupy attention, giving the mind a mental break.
• A textured sensory wall that feels like dinosaur skin. Touching or stroking this texture can provide a calming effect.
• A custom OSC tactile art piece created by an artist with autism This piece is made to be touched, with an engaging surface that changes in texture and color.
In pursuit of our mission to inspire science learning for all, we are striving to provide accessible educational STEM experiences. The Sensory Room is just part of that effort, as we have also earned the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certification. This means that over 50% of our staff have completed specialized training, our signage has been evaluated and adjusted to provide reassurance and guidance, social stories have been posted to our website to provide clear sensory expectations, and key sensory tools are available by request at our front desk.
The Sensory Room is available for use by one family or group at a time, and it is open to anyone who might need it. Next time you’re visiting, if you start to feel overwhelmed and need a calm space to recover, ask a staff member to direct you to the Sensory Room. Thank you to our friends at AdventHealth for Children for helping to bring this vision to life!
LASER MYTHS DEBUNKED
By Dr. MJ Soilleau, OSC Scientist in Residence
To debunk common myths about lasers, one must first answer the question, “What are lasers?” The word laser comes from an acronym, LASER:
Let’s start with the word “light.” Light is an electromagnetic (EM) field, which behaves like waves and like particles (called photons). EM waves span the spectrum from gamma to X-rays, to ultraviolet, to infrared, to microwaves, to radio waves.
Given that a wavelength is the distance from one peak of a wave to the next peak, visible light comprises EM waves with wavelengths between 370 to 700 nanometers (nm) – just a small sliver of that spectrum. Here’s a visual representation of EM radiation, ranging from 0.1 nm (γ or gamma rays) to many kilometers (km – long radio waves).
These six solid state lasers show the range of different colored light beams that can be produced with changes in wavelength. From the top, the wavelengths of light are: 660nm, 635nm, 532nm, 520nm, 445nm, and 405nm.
Myth #1: Lasers are bright visible beams of light.
This is mostly false. Some lasers make visible beams, but most emit invisible beams. Refer to the EM spectrum – lasers have been discovered that work in the wide range between X-rays and radio waves, not just in the visible spectrum. Most useful lasers operate in the infrared region.
Myth #2: Lasers are sources of powerful beams of light or energy.
Again, mostly false. Scientists call lasers “The light fantastic!” To understand this, we must return to letters A, S and E in the LASER acronym (note that the letter R is for the radiant energy and power of coherent EM waves and photons).
E is for Emission, meaning giving off light. For emission to occur, one must first excite a material using applied energy. Then, the excited material must relax back into its lowest energy state, thereby emitting a photon (light) to conserve energy. Usually, this happens randomly, known as spontaneous emission. However, in 1916-17, Einstein discovered the physics of spontaneous and stimulated emission.
If an emitted photon encounters another excited material, it stimulates the emission of an identical photon (the S in LASER), traveling in the same direction. Then, through the same process, the two can continue to double. By stimulating emission between two mirrors and allowing light to bounce back and forth, you can amplify (the A in LASER) the beam of photons between them.
Lasers allow part of the amplified beam to escape, and that is “the light fantastic!” This light is special because it’s coherent, meaning the light waves are in lockstep with each other, with the exact same wavelength. That’s why laser beams can travel great distances with minimal spreading, carry vast amounts of information, focus on very tiny spots, create ultra-short pulses, and transmit directed energy/power to remote locations.
But Myth #2 is mostly false because lasers are not the source of energy; they are energy converters. Lasers are devices that change electrical, chemical, or mechanical energy into coherent light. In simple language, you must plug them into something!
By sheer volume, the most common lasers are tiny semiconductors that directly change electrical current into
light. Phones, the internet, laser printers, barcode scanners, and more would not exist without semiconductor lasers.
There is a truth related to Myth #2: high-power lasers, with proper focusing, do emit powerful light, and these are used in many cutting and welding tasks in industry, including precise cutting through inches of metal.
Myth #3: Laser weapons like in science fiction already exist .
Mostly false – however, the U.S. Navy has deployed a laser system called LaWS (Laser Weapon System) that can disable (not vaporize!) drones or small boats. This device can deliver 30,000 watts on target – that’s equivalent to the energy of thirty 45 caliber slugs per second on a single spot!
Myth #4: All lasers are dangerous.
Mostly false. The U.S. Government has classified lasers according to safety: Types I and II are safe when used properly. Types III and IV should only be used by trained professionals with appropriate safety gear. No matter the type, NEVER look directly at a laser beam!
Myth #5: Laser pointers are safe.
This is true if they are Type I and Type II (less than 0.01 Watts of power). However, one can order laser “pointers” online that are more powerful than Type II and therefore dangerous! Once again, never look directly at a laser beam.
LaWS (Laser Weapon System). Image credit: John F. Williams/US Navy
Creating Space For Everyone
Space exploration is for all humankind, and Katya Echazarreta is helping launch the future in that direction. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, she moved to the United States at age seven and earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from UCLA. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, Katya has developed her technical career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to five major missions, including the Europa Clipper and Mars Perseverance rover.
In 2022, Katya made history as the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space through Blue Origin’s NS-21 mission at age 26. Now, as both an electrical engineer and science communicator, she’s using her platform to prepare for her next milestone, commanding an allLatino crew into space in 2027.
As a Latina in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), Katya represents a group that makes up less than 2% of engineers in the United States. Growing up, she rarely saw scientists or engineers who looked like her, and that absence shaped her understanding of what felt possible.
Throughout her journey, she faced challenges that many first-generation immigrants understand, such as visa and citizenship hurdles, learning a new language, and dealing with impostor syndrome in academic and professional environments. Today, Katya is driven to be “the face she never saw,” a visible example for young Latinas who may not yet realize they belong in science, too.
Her presence in the spotlight opens new pathways for Latine youth to see themselves as future innovators and explorers.
Katya’s impact in STEM began early. At just 17 years old, she started interning at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she later became a full-time engineer working on high-profile missions like the Mars Perseverance rover. Her technical background laid the foundation for her role as a science communicator, where she reached new audiences as the bilingual host of CBS’s Mission Unstoppable.
In 2021, her passion for space advocacy and public engagement led her to apply for the Citizen Astronaut Program through Space for Humanity, which ultimately selected her for Blue Origin’s NS-21 flight. Katya now continues her work in STEM through graduate research at Johns Hopkins University, where she is focused on electrical and computer engineering with the goal of shaping technologies that will drive the future of space exploration.
Katya’s mission has never been just about reaching space; it’s about creating opportunities for others to follow her example. Through the Katya Echazarreta Foundation, she offers scholarships and mentorship programs for young women pursuing careers in STEM. She uses her platform to promote equitable access to space exploration and science education, engaging with underrepresented students via social media, interviews, and public speaking events.
Katya believes that representation carries responsibility. Her spaceflight was more than a personal milestone; it was a powerful symbol of possibility for millions of Latinas who rarely see themselves in these roles. With each step forward, she helps others realize they belong in STEM too.
Katya’s 2022 space mission captured global attention and marked a turning point in her effort to expand access to space. That milestone paved the way for her next chapter. In 2027, she will serve as the commander of the first all-Latino space mission, a collaboration between Mexico and several Latin American nations aimed at increasing regional access to space. Her leadership represents a major step toward achieving equity and representation in STEM fields worldwide. With this mission, Katya continues to break barriers and prove that space belongs to everyone.
Lighting the Way
How Frank Kanawha Lake is Uniting Tribal Traditions and Western Research
For Frank Kanawha Lake, fire isn’t just a force of nature – it’s a cultural inheritance. A descendant of the Karuk and Yurok tribes of northwest California, Lake grew up immersed in the history and culture of both peoples, including traditional fire practices that have shaped landscapes and sustained ecosystems for thousands of years.
Given the recent devastation caused by wildfires in Los Angeles, it may come as a surprise that fire was once as fundamental to the Californian ecosystem as water or sunlight. Before European colonization, Indigenous peoples carefully set and maintained controlled fires that cleared underbrush, encouraged new plant growth, and reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Native communities relied on fire for myriad benefits; fire was not feared but wielded with skill and reverence, purpose and prayer.
This wisdom was nearly lost during the 20th century, when aggressive fire suppression policies treated all fire as a threat. “My grandfather Charlie, who was a ceremonial leader, talked about the importance of fire to our culture and how since the Forest Service took that away the Earth was getting sick and dying,” Lake recalled in conversation with Ferris Jabr, author of Becoming Earth: How Our Planet Came to Life. “You can’t always wait for lightning to strike.”
Lake is now a leading advocate for the integration of Indigenous fire stewardship with Western science. But when he first enrolled at the University of California, Davis, he struggled with academic
conventions. Despite being able to identify species by tracks or feathers, he stumbled over Latin names in his wildlife ecology courses. “I had my cultural teachings, but I didn’t have the Western academic skill set,” he admitted to Jabr. Nevertheless, he graduated in 1995 and began work as a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Forest Service.
He was in this role when he witnessed the destruction of the 1999 Megram Fire, which devastated forests and waterways alike. Standing in the ashes, Lake recognized a closer relationship between forestry and fisheries, connecting them through their shared need for fire. Recognizing that there was much more to learn, Lake returned to school to pursue his Ph.D. at Oregon State University – where a member of his dissertation committee initially dismissed the role of Indigenous burning.
Lake challenged the professor, scouring libraries and historical records to present evidence of Indigenous burning traditions. Lake began to forge a bridge between traditional ecological knowledge and scientific research. He earned his dissertation on the integration of Indigenous ecological knowledge and Western fire science and became a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, where he works to ensure Indigenous voices are part of modern fire management strategies.
This collaboration is beginning to have a real impact on national policy. In 2022, the U.S. Forest Service announced a new wildfire
management strategy that represented a huge paradigm shift towards drastically increasing prescribed burning. The policy emphasized partnerships with tribes and local communities.
Lake’s vision for the future is ambitious and urgent. “I want to scale up,” he says. “I have learned this Western system of sound, credible science. I’ve been able to use that to demonstrate that Indigenous practices can fulfill desired objectives for carbon sequestration, climate resilience, food security, biodiversity, and the mitigation of severe wildfires. The Tribes shouldn’t have to acquiesce their stewardship to government agencies. They should be co-leaders, co-managers.”
The merging of Indigenous knowledge with Western science offers not just practical solutions but also a shift in perspective. It recognizes that land management isn’t about domination but about relationship. As Lake puts it, “You serve by example, and that is replicated and carried out in its own unique way in other places.”
Lake’s work exemplifies what can happen when modern research honors traditional wisdom: healthier forests, resilient ecosystems, and a renewed respect for the natural world.
Orlando Science Center is so grateful to the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation for their support of our STEM Discovery Center and Neighborhood Science program! The Glenn W. Bailey Foundation’s mission is to is to foster pathways to success in globally competitive STEM careers for students in the United States. OSC’s education programs help foster these pathways through our unmatched STEM learning environment, which provides new ways for Central Florida students to learn the skills that will be needed to overcome society's greatest obstacles and challenges. By integrating the latest teaching methods, technologies, and resources into education programs, OSC reinforces classroom curriculum and provides real-world learning opportunities, making science relevant and engaging for all.
We are deeply grateful to the Universal Orlando Foundation for supporting Orlando Science Center’s mission to inspire science learning for all. Their commitment enables us to expand our partnership with local schools, providing weekly after-school STEM workshops for students. These funds will be used to spark curiosity, foster a love for STEM, and help create pathways for future success by connecting students to hands-on learning experiences. Through STEM education, we inspire passion for lifelong learning and equip people with 21st Century and technical skills to solve complex challenges while revealing pathways to education and meaningful careers that change the world. Thank you, Universal Orlando Foundation, for helping us build a stronger and brighter STEM ecosystem in our community!
We are so grateful to the Bert W. Martin Foundation for their ongoing support of our Unlock Science Campaign! The critical improvements that the Science Center has made through the Unlock Science Campaign, such as the recent construction of our new Life exhibit, are possible thanks to generous support from contributors, including our friends at the Bert W. Martin Foundation. The Bert W. Martin Foundation has provided services to those in need in this community since 1948. Their most recent contribution will go towards our next Unlock Science project, the digitization and revitalization of the CineDome to provide an immersive Fulldome Digital experience. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and commitment!
Join us in thanking the Chesley G. Magruder Foundation for helping us inspire curiosity and innovation for generations to come! Orlando Science Center is thrilled to have received a generous grant from the Chesley G. Magruder Foundation in support of our Unlock Science comprehensive campaign. Thanks to the support of donors like the Chesley G. Magruder Foundation, we are looking forward to renovating the Dr. Phillips CineDome, converting it to a digital projector system and restoring the theater’s ability to double as a planetarium. This renovation will open new doors for immersive educational programming, live performances, and an optimal viewing experience. We are so grateful to the Chesley G. Magruder Foundation for their continued support.
INNOVATOR Spotlight: The Ratner Family Inspiring Science Learning for All
For the Ratner family, Orlando Science Center isn’t just a place to visit – it's a place they’ve helped shape through years of meaningful involvement, passionate advocacy, and steadfast support.
Shawn and Dara Ratner are proud Innovator members and longtime champions of OSC’s mission to inspire science learning for all. Their relationship with the Science Center spans well over a decade, beginning with Shawn’s dedicated volunteer service. Week after week, Shawn has given his time and talent to support exhibits, events, and educational programs, helping to create memorable, hands-on experiences for thousands of guests. Their children have followed in those
same generous footsteps. Their daughter Victoria, a recent high school graduate, was a standout participant in our Catalyst Youth Volunteer Program. Her leadership and enthusiasm left a lasting impression on both her peers and OSC staff. Victoria now begins an exciting new chapter as she pursues a degree in Forensic Science – an inspiring next step rooted in a childhood shaped by science exploration.
Their son Alexander recently built a working transistor radio entirely from scratch for a school project. His curiosity, intellect, and creativity represent the very essence of what we strive to foster at the Science Center.
The Ratner family’s values are deeply rooted in community, service, and curiosity and align beautifully with the mission of Orlando Science Center. Their support helps ensure that learners of all ages have the opportunity to explore big ideas, ignite their passions, and realize their full potential. We are incredibly grateful to the Ratner family for being champions of our mission and for inspiring others through their generosity, involvement, and heart.
To learn more about becoming an OSC Innovator please contact Gina Owen, Director of Individual Giving at gowen@osc.org or 407.514.2183 or www.osc.org/innovators.
INVEST IN THE FUTURE
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Partner with Orlando Science Center to align your brand with one of Central Florida’s most trusted community institutions and open a world of possibility for telling your own story.
The Science Center offers a wide range of relatable and impactful content that provides unique opportunities to empower your message and deliver it to a diverse and deeply curious audience.
As a Corporate Member, you will support a wide range of rich and dynamic programming that brings STEM education to thousands across Central Florida and beyond. This includes hands-on exhibits, compelling live shows, and impactful programs and events that reach over 660,000 guests annually.
Unlock a world of benefits designed to enrich your corporate culture, engage your employees, and cultivate your clients. Corporate Members receive a range of exclusive benefits based on the level of giving.
ALL CORPORATE MEMBERS ENJOY:
• Complimentary general admission passes to Orlando Science Center.
• Complimentary VIP tickets to special events.
• Discounts on Annual Memberships.
• Recognition on OSC’s Donor Wall, Community Impact Report, website, e-blasts, and newsletters.
• Exclusive invitations to OSC Board Socials and special receptions.
• Learn more!
Renew
Early and Save 10% on Another Year of Membership!
Check the expiration date on your Membership card to make sure it’s active through these exciting exhibit premieres. To renew early, go to osc.org/membership
JANUARY 24 – MAY 3, 2026
MAY 17 – SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
Challenge your senses with a world of fascinating deceptions. Question. Wonder. Discover.
Embark on an exhilarating journey as you immerse yourself in astronaut training and tackle STEM challenges that simulate real space missions.
