Expanded STEM Outreach: What’s New
- $1 Million Gift & 10-Year Partnership
AdventHealth for Children has committed $1 million to the Orlando Science Center as part of a 10-year partnership.This supports the Unlock Science Campaign, aimed at enhancing exhibits, immersive experiences, and educational programs throughout Central Florida . .. As the presenting sponsor of the Science Center’s STEM Discovery Center, AdventHealth will help drive STEM education through summer camps, science competitions, and community outreach .
- Onsite & Offsite STEM Programs
This partnership isn’t limited to the museum walls it extends into classrooms, local communities, hospitals, and underserved areas .
A fleet of eight mobile STEM labs (vans) will deliver hands on science programming to schools, community centers, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs. Over the past year, 381 unique STEM sessions reached more than 30 Florida counties .
- Academic Involvement & Volunteerism
AdventHealth University will actively participate by providing faculty as guest educators, and students as volunteers for summer camps. Future initiatives include field trips and a Medical Career Science Night hosted on the Orlando campus .This aligns with the university’s broader service learning and STEM engagement initiatives
- Strategic Vision: Building the STEM-Health Pipeline
Leaders from both institutions emphasize the dual impact of this collaboration:
JoAnn Newman, President & CEO of the Orlando Science Center, described the partnership as “a perfect alignment of our shared visions for a stronger, healthier community” .
Kristi Baker, Senior Executive Officer at AdventHealth for Children, highlighted the goal of igniting youth interest in STEM and cultivating future health care professionals .
How This Builds on Previous Work
AdventHealth’s partnership with Orlando Science Center dates back decades, historically including live medical demonstrations (like cow heart dissections), robotics exhibits, and involvement in NASA themed STEM programs for hospitalized children . . A NASA funded initiative with UCF and OSC previously developed mobile STEM "satellite carts" deployed in children’s hospitals, which included VR, diagnostic tools, and curriculum focusing on space exploration topics like OSIRIS REx and Mars . . Focus Area What’s Being Impacted . Access & Inclusion STEM experiences are reaching underserved communities and hospitals, breaking down barriers to education. Engagement Mobile labs bring learning directly to children sparking curiosity where they’d otherwise have limited exposure. Pipeline Development By blending education with health care, this initiative helps build an early pathway for future STEM and medical careers. Sustainability The 10 year commitment ensures long-term impact and deep community integration.Organizational Synergy AdventHealth’s health mission meshes with OSC’s STEM vision, amplifying educational and wellness outcomes.
| Focus Area | Impact |
|---|---|
| Access & Inclusion | STEM programs reach underserved communities and hospitals, removing |
| barriers to education. | |
| Engagement | Mobile labs bring hands on science directly to kids, sparking |
| curiosity where opportunities are limited. | |
| Pipeline Development | Early exposure to STEM and healthcare fields shapes future |
| scientists, doctors, and engineers. | |
| Sustainability | 10 year commitment ensures lasting impact and deeper community |
| integration. | |
| Organizational Synergy | Health mission + STEM focus = amplified reach and outcomes. |