10 Science Museums in Florida That You Shouldn't Miss

Located in downtown High Springs, in the middle of the springs heartland. We are a non-profit educational center focusing on Florida's freshwater springs. Touch-screen map of the region's springs, the latest on springs research and protection, knowledgeable staff and volunteers to help you plan your springs adventures and learn how to protect our water.

A ship like no other, the space shuttle launched like a rocket and landed like a glider while transporting astronauts to space and back for thirty years. Stand in awe of this American icon at Space Shuttle Atlantis®, permanent home of the orbiter. Explore shuttle missions that secured the future of Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Learn how to dock and land the shuttle with training simulators, and then strap in for lift-off at Shuttle Launch Experience®. Discover the legacy of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

There is always something new happening at the Museum of Discovery and Science. Visitors can take a ride on the Everglades Airboat Adventure, experience hurricane force winds in the Storm Center, dig for fossils alongside a giant prehistoric megalodon, explore our new outdoor Science Park, and enjoy the playful antics of river otters in their two-story indoor/outdoor habitat. See exciting science demonstrations and presentations by community experts. Discover the amazing Everglades in the Florida EcoScapes exhibit. Hang out with bats, turtles and sharks. Meet an alligator and be charmed by a 6-foot-long snake. Take a ride to Mars or soar through the skies in an FA-18 cockpit simulator or take a ride in the 7D simulator. And immerse yourself in a six-story-high film adventure at the AutoNation(R) IMAX 3D Theater, home of the BIGGEST screen in South Florida featuring IMAX with Laser. Whether you're two or 82 visit the Museum of Discovery and Science and enjoy a full day of family fun.

For more than 65 years, Orlando Science Center has been a place that inspires curiosity and exploration. Truly one of the great activities for Orlando families, the Science Center encourages learning in a fun way. There's no better place that combines fun and knowledge all under one roof! For visitors from out of town, Orlando Science Center is a must for your "things to do in Orlando" list. With four floors of exciting exhibits, amazing giant screen and 3D films as well as engaging live programming, the Science Center is the perfect family destination. We're also the ideal rainy day escape!

Welcome to the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center located at 718 Fisherman's Wharf on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach, Fl. For 26 years, the Center provides a Marine Science Experience through interactive exhibits, aquariums, touch tank, one of kind collections and unique displays. Open Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with both guided and self-guided tours. A donation of $5.00 per adult and $3.00 for children over 6 years of age is suggested. Always FREE for Foundation Members. Call for feeding times, it's an opportunity to see many of our reclusive marine specimens that come out of hiding for lunch. Touch a starfish, put your head in the mouth of a shark, see how sea turtles hatch, and much more. Open by appointment only July 12 through July 28th as we are hosting our annual Children's Summer Camp.

At the Marine Science Center our main goal is rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured turtles and birds. You can see our sea turtle patients from the turtle terrace and get a behind the scenes view through the hospital viewing window. In the gallery, guests will also take a journey through Florida marine ecosystems discovering the animals that are indigenous to this area. A hands-on experience awaits you at our stingray and invertebrate touch tanks. Explore the nature trail and climb the observation tower for views of the estuary. Don't forget to walk through the Mary Keller Bird Sanctuary. Here you will see our permanent resident birds that can no longer live in the wild. We offer daily animal education presentations where you will experience up close views of raptors and reptiles. Call for daily presentation times.

The Children's Science Explorium, located inside Sugar Sand Park Community Center, is a hands-on science center designed for children 5 - 12 years of age and their caregivers. We offer fascinating and interactive exhibits, programs and camps that bring the physical sciences to life. In addition to our permanent exhibit collection, the Explorium offers its visitors a variety of traveling exhibits each year. From rockets to molecules, the museum engages and teaches children about the fantastic world of science! (Please note: The outdoor Science Playground will be closed for renovations beginning June 15, 2015. Look for our new fully accessible, all abilities playground Spring 2016. The Tot Lot & Carousel will be open.

The Ocean Discovery Visitors Center is a destination where the community can come to learn about the research conducted by the marine scientists, engineers and students at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Since its remodel in January 2017, the center houses five educational exhibits including Marine Drug Discovery, Marine Mammal Research & Conservation, Aquaculture & Stock Enhancement, Marine Ecosystem Health and Ocean Engineering. Visitors are welcome to explore these exhibits on their own or participate in a free 30-45 minute interpretive tour provided by a FAU Harbor Branch Graduate Student. The center also features a video theater, aquaria relevant to research topics, interactive displays, a touch tank, gift shop and student information station. While admission and interpretive tours are free, donations are accepted and contribute to Harbor Branch outreach initiatives. Group visits (10 or more people) are also available and must be reserved in advance.

The Pensacola MESS Hall is a hands on science museum dedicated to the need to "mess around" with math, engineering, science, and other stuff. Visitors explore science by creating their own experiments, whether at our stationary exhibits or with our "mess kits". Mess kits are individual activities for creating tools for discovery, many with take home parts for future learning. The entire family will make discoveries together.