Experience a whirlwind of adventure this May from Wild Weather Weekends to Star Wars Day to an Asian-Pacific Heritage Celebration at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)! Investigate Florida’s natural disasters to create structures that withstand gale-force wind and rain, release butterflies into MODS’ Food Forest and discover endless play at the newly opened MAGNA-TILES® Studio!
“This month, budding meteorologists will discover the science of storms and how to track and prepare for natural disasters, as well as recovery efforts. These STEAM-based activities will shed light on the unpredictable nature of phenomena like hurricanes, flash floods and tornadoes, which is especially valuable as we head into hurricane season,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “Plus, we are thrilled to immerse kids of all ages in the legend and lore of a galaxy far, far away on May the 4th and celebrate the cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands.”
Hold onto your hats, because MODS will place kids in the eye of the storm as they investigate the wild weather systems of Earth’s atmosphere! Uncover the secrets of the Everglades’ wildfires, explore the profound impact of drought and discover why Florida’s aquifers rely on rain during Wild Weather Weekends on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sundays, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Budding city planners will build structures capable of withstanding flash flooding, learn about the science of meteorology and visit resident animals to find out what they do when challenging weather comes to Florida. Young meteorologists can discover how windstorms are born by observing hurricanes in a bowl or tornadoes in a bottle and build structures that can brave the fiercest of storms.
From the atmosphere straight into outer space, kids of all ages will enjoy an epic day of interstellar adventure on Star Wars Day: May the 4th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.! Padawans can grab autographs from Star Wars universe characters including Stormtroopers and Jedi Knights from the 501st Legion Everglades Squad. Get messy with Jabba the Hutt slime time and explore Cities of the Future: Drone 101.Celebrate the forces of the universe with exclusive exhibits and demos, including the galactic KaBoom! Show! Build your own lightsaber, explore the science behind a Tattooine vaporator and embark on a stellar journey in the GeoDome Planetarium. For the youngest Jedi initiates (ages 0-6), join Baby’s First May the 4th celebration in the Sprouting STEM Lab or discover the power of magnetic force in the first-ever MAGNA-TILES® Studio, a new permanent exhibit. Extend your family visit by watching a showing of the IMAX films Asteroid Hunters or Deep Sky. All activities are included with admission. For tickets, please visit mods.org/tickets.
Calling all curious minds (ages 6 to 12) for a night that will blow you away during the parent-free Kids Adventures After Dark on May 10 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. ! It’s a storm of science not to be missed as kids will construct their very own flood-proof house and see if it can withstand Florida-level rain surges. Cozy up in the Keller Science Theater for a special showing of the film National Parks Adventure and brace for a mind-blowing KaBoom! Show with explosive chemical reactions. The cost is $35 per child for members, $40 per child for non-members and includes a pizza dinner. A $5 off sibling discount is available for each additional sibling. Pre-registration is required at mods.org/kidsadventures.
On Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., explore MODS’ signature Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration! Dive into the diverse arts and cultures specific to people of Asia, the Pacific Islands and their descendants, including captivating performances by Kehlani from Polynesian Proud Productions, exhilarating drumming with Ronin Taiko and demonstrations by Joe Keit Martial Arts. Activities include crafting an origami butterfly, learning about the origins of animals living in the Pacific Ocean and admiring the world of Pandas on the giant IMAX® screen. Early learners (ages 0-6) will explore Asian-Pacific dancing styles and create Damarus and Tibetan Flags to commemorate these rich cultures. Don’t miss the enchanting Butterfly Release, presented by Truly Nolen Pest Control, as thousands of butterflies will be freed into MODS’ Food Forest for a sight you’ll never forget!
Explore more meteorological and celestial wonders through a variety of stunning IMAX® documentary films including Extreme Weather, opening May 5, Forces of Nature (limited showings on May 11, 12, 18 and 19), Deep Sky and more now playing at the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater. Showtimes for these films can be found at mods.org/showtimes. Plus, be one of the first to experience the newly opened MAGNA-TILES® Studio, the only one of its kind in the world! This partnership is a celebration of endless creativity and Meaningful Play, inspired by America’s #1 Magnetic Building Sets Brand (Source: Circana/Retail Tracking Service/JAN–DEC 2023/USD). Designed as an immersive educational world where young minds will flourish, the MAGNA-TILES® Studio features more than 10,000 MAGNA-TILES® pieces in a primary color-hued environment across five creation stations: Magnetic Marvels, Colorful Discoveries, Engineering Excellence, 3D Build Extravaganza and The “Garage.” These activities focus on enhancing early cognitive skills, color theory basics, small hand muscle development, finger strength and wrist stability, pattern recognition, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, early literacy and mathematics exploration. Exhibit exploration is included with Museum admission.
For more information about MODS’ May programs and special events, visit mods.org.
Star Wars Day: May the 4th
Star Wars Day: May the 4th
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Celebration
The newly opened MAGNA-TILES® Studio.
All photos Courtesy of MODS
