Facts & Stats

See How MODS Makes a Difference.

Learn How MODS Serves South Florida

Fast Facts about MODS

  • The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is connecting people to inspiring science through interactive exhibits, programs and films. MODS fulfills its mission by delivering creative content and programming through four major content pillars: Physical Sciences; Health; Environmental Science; and Early Childhood.
  • The Museum of Discovery and Science is a private, non-profit museum governed by a Board of Trustees.
  • More than 450,000 people visit the Museum annually and more than 10 million have experienced the Museum since opening in 1992.
  • Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Arts and Science District, MODS features 150,000 square feet of dynamic science exhibits, an outdoor science park, a live animal collection, a rotating schedule of science shows, learning labs, café, store and a grand atrium featuring our signature exhibit: the Great Gravity Clock. The Great Gravity Clock stands at 52 feet tall and is the biggest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida. The showpiece of the museum since 1993, this unique timepiece is one of only three in the world.
  • The 263-seat AutoNation IMAX® 3D Theater features both 2D and 3D films and is the only Certified Giant Screen® in South Florida, with a powerful sound system, 4K Laser projection system for unparalleled clarity and brilliance, and a 60 ft. x 80 ft. giant screen for a truly immersive film experience.
  • MODS has more than $8.5+ million annual operating budget and a $4.3+ million endowment.
  • MODS is accredited by the American Association of Museums and the Association of Science-Technology Centers.

Serving South Florida

  • MODS serves more than 90,000 students on school-sponsored field trips annually including the urban, underserved population; low-literacy families; and at-risk youth through internship and mentoring programs and community outreach.
  • MODS offers classes, camps, turtle walks, overnight camp-ins, outreach programs, science demos and labs, environmental education programs and lectures.
  • The Museum is the official interpretive site of the South Florida Ecosystems Restoration Task Force, a consortium of federal, state and local government and tribal agencies dedicated to restoring Florida’s precious ecosystem.

AutoNation® IMAX 3D Theater

  • The AutoNation IMAX® 3D Theater opened in November 1992 and converted to 3D in 1996.
  • In September 2014, an IMAX® Xenon Digital System was installed to complement the existing IMAX® GT film projection system.
  • In September 2016, an IMAX® 4K Laser Digital Projection System featuring state-of-the-art, cutting-edge laser projection technology was installed.
  • Three to four new documentary IMAX® films open annually at the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater.
  • The AutoNation® IMAX® Theater also opens an average of 20 Hollywood feature films annually.

Awards & Recognition

  • 2024 Guidestar Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency
  • 2023 Miami Kids Magazine – Reader’s Choice Award Favorite Local Museum in Broward County
  • 2023 South Florida Family Life – Favorite Local Museum in Broward County
  • 2022 Broward Family Life – Favorite Museum – Best Museum
  • 2022 AVA Platinum Awards – Wise Bodies: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program
  • 2021 Silver MUSE Award by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) – Wise Bodies: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program
  • 2021 Platinum Hermes Creative Awards – Wise Bodies: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program
  • 2021 Viddy Awards – Wise Bodies: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program
  • 2021 Gold MarCom Award – Wise Bodies: HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Program
  • 2021 Guidestar Platinum Transparency
  • 2020 Broward Family Life – Favorite Museum – Best Museum
  • 2019 Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency
  • 2019 4-Star Exceptional rating on Charity Navigator
  • 2019 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence (8th consecutive year)
  • 2019 Broward’s Favorite Museum by the readers of Broward Family Life magazine.
  • 2018 TripExpert – Experts’ Choice Award – fewer than 2% of attractions worldwide receive the award
  • 2018 South Florida Parenting readers voted the Kids Crown Awards categories for best birthday party spot and best family attraction
  • 2017 Broward Family Life – Favorite Museum Gold Coast Magazine – Best Museum Permanent and National Traveling Exhibit
  • 2016 Broward Family Life – Favorite Museum
  • 2016 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence (5th consecutive year)
  • 2016 Southflorida.com – Best Museum and Best Movie Theater
  • 2015 Broward Family Life – Favorites: Museum/Camps/Place To Get Smart/Party Place
  • 2015 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence
  • 2015 Broward Palm Beach New Times Reader’s Choice – Best Museum
  • 2014 South Florida 2014 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence
  • 2014 Local 10 Top 10 – Best Museum 2nd Place
  • 2014 Kids Crown Award – Best Activities & Outings/Museums and Theaters
  • 2014 New Times – Best Museum
  • 2013 Broward Family Life – Favorite Museum
  • 2013 South Florida Parenting Magazine – Kids Crown Award – Best Activities & Outings /Museums in Broward
  • 2013 SouthFlorida.com – Best Museum
  • 2012 South Florida Parenting Magazine – Best Indoor Activity in Broward County
  • 2012 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence
  • 2012 Parenting Magazine – Kids Crown Awards Judge’s Choice – Best Museum/Theater (Broward)
  • 2012 USA Today 10 BEST Museums in Fort Lauderdale – Best Museum

Inside Facts & Stats

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