Disney donates $100K to STEM programs at the Orlando Science Center

(Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

By Nicolle Osorio

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Science Center received a significant donation from Disney to support STEM programs and young students in Central Florida.

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The donation is part of the Disney Future Storytellers initiative, and it will support hands-on workshops for the Science Center’s Neighborhood Science initiative.

The initiative aims to spark students’ interest and passion in STEM education.

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Students will also participate in workshops based on real-world situations to develop their teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Since families are essential to the program, OSC will allow families to engage in their child’s STEM learning journey.

Neighborhood Science initiative hopes to provide STEM education in afterschool programs and community centers within underrepresented neighborhoods.

The program comes in handy to address the rising demand for STEM careers in Florida and the underrepresentation of women and people of color in STEM fields across the country.

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Students will engage in skill-building activities such as coding, 3D printing and robotics.

“Thanks to the support of partners like Disney, we are providing youth with an opportunity for inspiration and education,” said Orlando Science Center President & CEO JoAnn Newman. “Neighborhood Science helps fill a pipeline that runs from the Science Center to schools and community centers and onto exciting STEM careers.”

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The first Neighborhood Science program kicked off last summer in the Grand Avenue Community Center in Orlando’s Holden Heights neighborhood.

Now it is offered weekly at the Bradley Otis Boys & Girls Club in the community of West Lakes.

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

Orlando Science Center to host teen science fair competition Local middle and high school students will compete in the Lockheed Martin Science Challenge at the Orlando Science Center. (Orlando Science Center/Orlando Science Center)

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