The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), has been awarded a grant from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a global nonprofit organization tackling climate change – the greatest challenge of our time. The grant will directly support Florida’s Climate Future City, MODS’ new environmental resilience activity and MODS’ ongoing EcoExplorers internship program.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant from EDF, an esteemed advocate committed to climate justice. As the Hub for Resilience Education, MODS serves as the primary facilitator for resilience and sustainability in Broward County,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “With this grant, we can continue to create a pipeline of environmental stewards and showcase innovative technologies and actionable solutions for future generations.”
The funding will support MODS’ development of Florida’s Climate Future City, a new hands-on environmental resilience activity in the Museum’s Makerspace. In Florida’s Climate Future City activity, guests are challenged to design a city that is resilient to increased heat, flooding and wind events while harnessing nature’s power to support the energy needs of the city. The program will be offered by EcoExplorers and Museum staff as part of an ongoing suite of resilience-focused activities.
“Climate change will continue to bring Florida residents new challenges and opportunities. We are delighted to partner with MODS to leverage science, the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas of Florida’s youth to design Florida’s Climate Future” said Dawn Shirreffs, Florida director of the Environmental Defense Fund.
It will also support MODS’ EcoExplorers Internship, a program offered to approximately 80 Broward high school students who are interested in careers in environmental sustainability. The program combines MODS’ expertise in curriculum development and workforce readiness training. Interns earn detailed, first-hand knowledge of the Everglades ecosystem through field excursions, then share the knowledge learned with Museum guests as part-time paid Museum science presenters.
MODS is advancing the community’s conversation regarding resilience and sustainability, impacting 450,000+ annual guests and students on field trips, plus an additional 75,000+ students with outreach programs annually through its mission of Connecting People to Inspiring Science. MODS is leading a generation that will have the skills, resources and experiences needed to act and address the world’s critical environmental issues.
For more information, visit mods.org.
About the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, the Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund.
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Photo Credit: The Museum of Discovery and Science
