Museum of Discovery and Science

The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults. Originally opened in 1977 as the Discovery Center, MODS serves more than 400,000 visitors each year and is the primary destination for school field trips in Broward County (serving approximately 90,000 students on school-sponsored field trips). Visitors explore the impressive 145,000 SF facility and discover an open-air grand atrium, 30 interactive permanent exhibits, quarterly traveling exhibits, an outdoor science park, a live animal collection, a schedule of science shows, demonstrations, lectures and special presentations in the 100-seat Keller Science Theater, a large array of programs designed to serve diverse audiences, well as a full menu of educational documentary and cutting-edge films in the 300 seat IMAX Theater.

The Museum’s vision is a society where people of all ages engage with science and discovery to stren

Goal One: Engage Our Community & Expand Our Impact • Refresh early childhood education • Boost resiliency to the impact of climate change • Optimize diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion (DEAI)

Goal Two: Ensure Financial Stability • Increase and diversify our sources of financial support, strengthening our institution and its economic impact on our community.

Goal Three: Drive Workforce Development • Impact future career paths through exposure to south Florida’s top industries. • Incorporate emerging technology and experiences to shape our community’s workforce.

MODS continued to invest in leadership development during COVID. The Museum paid for 15 staff from all departments to attend sessions of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Virtual 2020 Annual Conference in October 2020. The conference was entitled “New Frontiers in Science, Technology, Learning and Community Engagement Toward a More Equitable Tomorrow.” Staff also attended the 2021 American Alliance of Museums Virtual Conference in June 2021 entitled “Resilient, Together.” Both conferences strengthened staff’s leadership skills by presenting relevant topics in the museum field. Other opportunities during the past 12-18 months included skill development through training on the Museum’s new Blackbaud cloud software and participation in paid online Creative Engineering courses led by Mark Rober, former NASA engineer and inventor at Apple.

COVID, of course, and its impact on Museum visitation and programming was the greatest external change and challenge in the last year. Major financial decisions were made immediately by the Museum’s Leadership team and Trustees. A cost control plan was developed, reducing our budget from $8.5 to $5.4 million, reducing staff by 60%, reaching out to long-standing donors who responded in force, applying for loans and grants from the Small Business Administration and CARES Act grants. Food, medicines and supplies for the Museum’s live animals were pre-purchased in case of failure in the shipping and supply chain. A massive cleaning effort was undertaken by staff including replacement of a/c filters, carpet cleaning and electrostatic spraying of exhibit areas and IMAX theater. Virtual programs were developed in partnership with an extensive list of donors including Broward Public Schools, Save Our Seas Foundation, International Hurricane Research Center, Community Foundation of Broward and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, including a virtual ribbon cutting for our new Sprouting STEM Early Childhood Learning Lab powered by PNC Grow Up Great. Virtual Professional Development Workshops attracted teachers from as far away as Hong Kong and Australia and virtual Educator Nights prepared teachers for their return to on-site field trips. Serving the needs of our community was at the forefront of our response in the last year. Accessibility initiatives were expanded including free admission for active military and first responders and their families, programs for the LGBTQ+ and autism community, a donor-funded e-learning program (with meals and aftercare) for at-risk children in grades K-5 whose families receive SNAP benefits and free or discounted admission for low-income families and social service agencies. Through solid leadership and decision-making MODS adapted to external changes and emerged strong by addressing the educational and cultural needs of its community.