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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #2349 |
| Museum of Discovery and Science EcoDiscovery Center |
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| Requester: |
Kim L. Cavendish, President and CEO |
Organization: |
Museum of Discovery and Science |
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| Project Title: |
Museum of Discovery and Science EcoDiscovery Center |
Date Submitted |
1/4/2008 12:51:29 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Atwater |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| The health of the Everglades is crucial to all Floridians, South Floridians in particular. The EcoDiscovery Center will educate people of all ages about the complex factors that affect the Everglades� ecosystems, and how global environmental change is affecting Florida. With over 400,000 visitors every year, the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is one of the most attended museums in Florida. MODS� total economic impact on Florida is over $21,000,000. With the project expansion, MODS� visitorship will grow to 600,000 annual visitors, including 100,000 tourists outside South Florida. MODS will also reach over 250,000 children, including an estimated 120,000 on school or field trips. The new Center will expand MODS� ability to reach the public with critical environmental messages and expand its role as official interpreter of environmental education for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force (2001). |
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| Recipient: |
Museum of Discovery and Science |
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Contact: |
Kim L. Cavendish |
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401 SW 2nd St |
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Contact Phone: |
(954) 713-0900 |
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Fort Lauderdale 33312-1707 |
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Contact email: |
kcavendish@mods.net |
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| Counties: |
Broward |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| The proposed project is a 27,000 square foot addition that will double the Museum�s exhibit space and further the Museum�s mission with a special focus on �the water story.� The project aims to instill a sense of environmental stewardship, especially toward Everglades restoration, water management and conservation, the delicate balance among Florida ecosystems, the impact of climate systems on water flow and supply and the intricate relationship between human actions and the environment.
New hands-on exhibits and programs will recreate the sights and sounds of the wetlands and Florida�s extraordinary natural environments. The EcoDiscovery experience will include visiting Live Otters in their natural habitat, taking a simulated Everglades Boat Ride and facing hurricane conditions at the Storm Center, all designed to create an emotional connectedness to the Florida wetlands. Using sound scientific principles, the exhibits will explore topical issues such as the delicate balance among Florida ecosystems, water management, conservation and hurricane preparation. Exhibits will incorporate cutting-edge technology, such as virtual reality and simulation tools, as well as real-world data to enhance the learning experience. At the same time, the physical exhibits communicate important messages about Everglades preservation and environmental issues in a way the public can understand and relate to their everyday lives.
Along with exhibits, the project adds four �playground of the mind� science classroom-labs that will triple the Museum�s ability to serve students, teachers, campers and other constituents with relevant science programs. In developing EcoDiscovery programs, the Museum will implement practices to ensure accuracy, relevance and currency of information, educational value, balance between interpretation and engagement, entertainment value and interactive and hands-on qualities. Programs for school children that complement and add depth to EcoDiscovery Center exhibits will conform to FCAT standards.
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Growing to 600,000 visitors annually; increase in visitors informed about Everglades restoration, environmental conservation and climate change, increase in visitors prepared to make eco-friendly choices |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$1,000,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$20,000,000 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Construction |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Local, Private |
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Cash Amount |
$12,500,000 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2006-2007 |
Amount: |
$497,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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No |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
No |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Broward County School Bd Environmental Education 1/19/00; MODS Board of Trustees Strategic Plan 2003 |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Fort Lauderdale City Commission on July 20, 1999; Broward County School Board, January 19, 2000. |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
