Museum of Discovery and Science facts for kids
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| Established | 1976 (as The Discovery Center) |
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| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
The Museum of Discovery and Science (often called MODS) is an exciting museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It's all about science and discovery!
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
Expanding with the EcoDiscovery Center
In November 2011, the museum grew much bigger! It opened a huge new area called the EcoDiscovery Center. This expansion added 34,000 square feet of space. It cost $25 million to build.
The EcoDiscovery Center was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates. It made the museum's exhibit space twice as large. This new part includes cool exhibits like "The Everglades Airboat Adventure" and "Otters at Play."
You can also explore "Prehistoric Florida," the "Storm Center," and the "Florida Water Story." The new wing also has four learning rooms. There is also a big space for special, temporary exhibits.
A new Science Theater opened at the same time. It is located in the aviation exhibit gallery.
What You Can Explore at MODS
The Museum of Discovery and Science is one of the biggest museums of its kind in Florida. It also welcomes more visitors than any other museum in the state.
Amazing IMAX Theater
The museum has a giant IMAX theater. It shows awesome 3D IMAX movies. The screen is five stories high! It is the largest screen in South Florida. The IMAX theater uses special IMAX with Laser technology.
Exciting Exhibits and Rides
MODS has many "ecoscapes" where you can see different environments. You can also take a pretend trip to Mars. There's a simulated airboat ride that feels like you are in the Everglades. You can even try a MaxFlight airplane flight simulator!
Meet the Animals
One of the most popular parts of the museum is seeing all the different animals from Florida. You can get very close to them!
Animals you might see include otters, baby alligators, and snakes. There are also tortoises, rabbits, and bats. You might even spot tarantulas, scorpions, and geckos.
Other creatures include cockroaches, centipedes, and hermit crabs. The museum also has many types of freshwater fish, like freshwater stingrays and black pacus.
You can see frogs, tadpoles, and different turtles, including the alligator snapping turtle. The museum also has sharks, saltwater fish, horseshoe crabs, and a sea turtle.
The museum often has special animal shows. You can also have informal "meet-and-greets" with some of the animals.
More Fun and Learning
Besides the animals, the museum has a Discovery Center for kids aged 7 and under. The "Go Green" exhibit teaches you about being eco-friendly.
The "Runways to Rockets" area has airplane simulators. It also teaches you about space. The "Powerful You!" exhibit explores the human body.
You can see minerals and rocks on display. There are also prehistoric fish and dinosaur eggs. You can even see fossils! The museum also has games and puzzles.
Special Features and Events
The Museum of Discovery and Science moved to its current spot in downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1992.
Right in front of the entrance, you'll see the "Great Gravity Clock." It's one of the main features of the museum. There are only three of these clocks in the world! The other two are in Japan and Mexico.
The museum is a great place for birthday parties. They also host special events like (sea) turtle walks and camp-ins. MODS even has its own summer camp!
The museum also runs a volunteer program. This program lets both kids and adults help out in the community.
MODS hosts many special events. One example is the yearly "Food and Wine Gala." This event helps raise money for the museum.
