Preparations are underway at the Museum of Discovery & Science (MODS) in Fort Lauderdale for a new early childhood experience. The Discovery Center exhibit gallery presented by JM Family Enterprises will open this summer to help the young participants develop a passion for science.
“Our newest permanent exhibit gallery is blooming at MODS! The Discovery Spot will encourage hands-on, creative play that is so important to the cognitive development of our children,” Joseph P. Cox says, president and CEO of MODS. “Early childhood education is in our DNA, dating back to our beginning in 1976 as the Discovery Center. The new Discovery Spot will allow our community’s youngest scientists to take their very first steps in science.”
In the Discovery Spot exhibit, children ages 0 to 6 can splash, climb, tinker and explore. This gallery encourages young guests to make discoveries through experiences in the freshly reimagined and beloved Citrus Grove, Ocean to Air and Everglades areas.’ The new Discovery Spot will encourage playful exploration and STEM experiences leading to lifelong learning for all families and will cover 4,000 square feet of Museum space. It offers numerous opportunities for adult-child collaboration in zones packed with one-of-a-kind experiences, including Sketch & Release, where guests can bring Florida native fish and sharks to life by digitally painting their chosen species and then releasing them into a digital ocean.
During the construction phase, MODS will provide continuity of early childhood experiences through its Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab powered by PNC Grow Up Great, located on the second floor of the Museum, as well as exciting exhibits Wild Kratts: Creature Power! from January 20 through May 7, followed by Expedition: Dinosaur, from May 19 to September 4, in the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Traveling Exhibit Gallery.
“JM Family has been supporting the Museum of Discovery and Science since 1993 because we feel that what they do is a valuable part of our community,” Josh Bass says, VP of innovation for JM Family Enterprises and MODS board member. “Bass also adds that “promoting education is one of JM Family’s strategic areas of giving, and this new STEM exhibit will increase the opportunities for discovery and interactive experiences for the Museum’s guests of all ages.”
For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).