Fort Lauderdale, FL –  On March 23, 2018 at 10:30 a.m., Museum of Discovery and Science visitors will enjoy the fresh air and safe surroundings of the new Science Park as they continue their exploration of the Museum outdoors. Giant full-body exhibits will demonstrate key principles of physics and engineering while also providing entertainment and group interaction. This green oasis in the center of the City of Fort Lauderdale will spark curiosity whether you are two or 82.

This dynamic outdoor expansion of the Museum’s hands-on learning experiences is a family based zone of discovery welcoming visitors of all ages. Here, visitors explore together to strengthen science understanding and science thinking skills through hands-on exploration in a beautiful outdoor setting. The exhibits provide multiple, content-rich opportunities in which visitors can experiment with basic principles of the physical world and come to intuitive understandings about how they work.

The exciting, skill-based experiences and environment of the Science Park increase the capacity of the Museum by encouraging open-ended experimentation in the physical sciences and the development of science-thinking skills. By creating a playful world where the mind, the senses and the emotions are all engaged in exciting and interconnected ways, the exhibits at the new Science Park generate those surprising “a-­ha” moments where true discovery, learning and skill-building take place.

Science Park Interactive Exhibits

Ball Range - Bottle Rockets - Cool Fan - Giant Levers – Kaleidoscopes – Pulleys –

Roller Coaster - Solar Tree - Sound Station - Sun Spotter - Tennis Ball Launcher –

The Forest - Wheel Roll

The Science Park has an activity guide that was created by 50 students from Deerfield Beach Middle School. During the 2017 school year, these students participated in an innovative program at the Museum called Science in Action, supported by the School Board of Broward County. They learned the program and exhibit design process by studying the Museum’s new Science Park and the physical science concepts in its exhibits and then created the guide.

The Science Park is part of Phase II of the Museum’s Expansion and Renovation Capital Campaign. Phase I of the $35 million campaign has already funded the EcoDiscovery Center wing that opened in 2011, more than doubling the Museum’s exhibit and classroom space. The campaign’s second phase included:

• Development of a 27,000-square-foot Science Park facing Broward Boulevard
• Exhibit upgrades and renovations to the 25-year-old original facility
• Renovation of the AutoNation IMAX 3D Theater, adding laser projection systems

Phase II of the capital campaign received major support from AutoNation, Broward County, City of Fort Lauderdale, and the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs. Other donors who have provided significant support to the campaign include: BBX Capital, Berkowitz Pollack Brant, Christine and M. Austin Forman, Florida Power & Light Company, Gunster, Catherine and Herbert Yardley, JM Family Enterprises, Katy and Jon Ferrando, Keith Koenig of City Furniture, Pepsi, Ron Book, Rose Miniaci Family and Paramount Refreshment Solutions, Stiles Corporation, SunTrust Bank, The Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust, and Tom Angelo.