Get hands-on and excited with science lessons that are out of this world at the Orlando Science Center. Children of all ages can explore the past, present, and future of science at one of the region’s most popular museum destinations. Since its opening in 1955, the Orlando Science Center has aimed to inspire science learning for all. Through interactive exhibits and in-depth educational programs, it brings science to life before children’s eyes and sparks renewed interest in learning.
Immersive Learning Experiences
Eight exhibit halls offer a wide range of science-based exploration. Students can learn the science behind illusion and how perception fools our brains with hands-on activities and mind-boggling displays. Learn the importance of conservation and the natural world through interactive displays on rainforests, the ocean, and swamps. Children ages 0-7 are encouraged to learn through climbing, splashing, and exploring KidsTown, with exciting discoveries around every corner.
Spark an interest in engineering at the Kinetic Zone with hands-on activities like launching air rockets, experiments with circuit boards, and the science behind pulley systems. Go back in time and dig into history as you become a paleontologist for the day. Get an out-of-this-world education on our planet and how it fits into the solar system with interactive weather and earth science exhibits. Explore art through a STEAM-focused gallery featuring rotating pieces from a variety of artists throughout the year. And last but not least, satiate your appetite for knowledge with hands-on food science!
Guided Exploration & Programs
The science center’s numerous themed exhibits are just the beginning. Check out their varied school programs for a guided exploration of science. Their Discovery Labs offer K-12 programming that inspires inquisition and curiosity through educator-led activities. Pre-K and kindergarten groups can become little engineers or detectives of their own bodies. First- and second-graders learn the engineering behind trampolines or explore the three states of matter. Third, fourth, and fifth graders have the option of roller coaster physics, hurricane science, or the engineering of surviving a shipwreck. Grades 6 through 12 are challenged to design, create, and test engineering through a museum heist or get into the investigative world of the forensic sciences. All lab activities meet specific STEM education standards.
The science center also offers specialty programs. Check out Florida’s largest publicly accessible refractor telescope, where students can observe the stars and beyond. Or tuck in for a night at the museum with the science center’s Celebrate Science Night event. Students, chaperones, and school staff of all ages have exclusive access to the entire Orlando Science Center. Explore all eight of its halls, live shows, and observatory viewing.
Educator resources include free guides, activities, and lesson plans aligned with STEM-focused learning standards. Utilize their aviation, naval, satellite, or NASA lessons for easy-to-use resources that can help craft in-class learning opportunities.
