School is out, and fun is in at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)! Families can soar to new heights with To Fly: Aviation Weekends, meet-and-greet with the two-toed sloth of the Survival of the Slowest exhibit and get busy with a variety of fascinating and educational Camp STEAMology programs.
Prepare for take-off! From gliders and airships to drones and spacecrafts, humans have developed many ways to experience the power of flight. Where can we go from here? Come to MODS to discover flight technology and test your engineering skills during To Fly: Aviation Weekends on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and on Sundays, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Kids can tinker with avionics and test piloting skills, use drones to accomplish various missions and learn about animals that take flight, such as insects and birds, to discover how these creatures adapt to different environments. Careers in aviation such as aerospace engineering, navigation and mechanics will be explored. Young navigators (ages 0-6) can experience the magic of flight by creating a biplane, rocket or parachute and learn how different objects glide through the air. Themed IMAX® films on the Certified Giant Screen® include Wings Over Water, Flight of the Butterflies, Cities of the Future and more. To Fly: Aviation Weekends are sponsored by Banyan Air, JetBlue and the JetBlue Grants Foundation.
“MODS is a great place to beat the summer heat while keeping minds active and engaged,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “Whether it is learning about how slow attributes can give some animals an evolutionary edge, the intricacies of flight or immersive, curated STEM-based camp programs, we offer exciting experiences for the whole family.”
Sometimes being slow, small or weak can have its advantages in Survival of the Slowest, MODS’ newest summer traveling exhibit presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Guests meet the often-overlooked species that evolved to slow down as part of their survival strategy in a world where large, strong and fast animals are often at the top of the food chain. The exhibit features 14 habitats with live animals (17 species) and plants. Guests get an up-close look at wildlife with daily presentations featuring a sloth, a tarantula, tortoises, a hedgehog, a blue-tongued skink and more! Educational talks are offered for guests Wednesdays through Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. The exhibit is produced by Little Ray’s Nature Exhibitions in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature and runs through September 5, 2024.
Attention all sloth lovers! Join us for a VIP experience at the Sloth Meet-and-Greet on July 27, from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. This event gives guests exclusive early-morning access to the Museum and includes a meet-and-greet with JJ, the two-toed sloth, Museum admission, breakfast, an IMAX® documentary film and insight into the vital importance of rainforest conservation. The cost is $65 for members, $75 for non-members and pre-registration is required. (NOTE: The sloth will be held exclusively by the Life Sciences staff.) To register, visit mods.org/slothbreakfast.
When school is out, MODS’ Camp STEAMology is in!Children ages 5 – 10 will have a blast exploring a variety of one, three and five-day camps.
July 5; Did you know scientific breakthroughs can shape entire cultures? Campers will learn about these discoveries and how they impact our everyday lives. They’ll create electricity that once shocked the world and use a microscope to create a histological cell slide during Camp STEAMology: Culture Shock!
July 8 – 12; Campers will prepare to become a Jedi Knight by learning the ways of the force on Earth. Electrify a lightsaber, create a TIE fighter and more during Camp STEAMology: Padawan Academy!
July 15 – 19; Experience water-based STEM activities, create floating LEGO® cities, observe changing water densities and analyze soil compositions during Camp STEAMology: STEM: Waterplay!
July 22 – 26; Take a bite out of summer during Camp STEAMology: Shark Mania! Campers will investigate the biodiversity and chemistry of our oceans and learn about sharks from their prehistoric origins through today.
July 29 – Aug. 2; Engage in creating, coding and constructing larger-than-life structures. Campers will learn through playful, hands-on STEAM activities and fun, engaging experiences during Camp STEAMology: LEGO® Creation Explosion.
For more information about Camp STEAMology pricing and multi-child discounts, visit mods.org/camp.
For more information about MODS’ July programs and special events, visit mods.org.

Meet JJ the sloth, the star of MODS’ Survival of the Slowest traveling exhibit, on July 27,
from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Summer campers participating in a STEM activity.

Guests can take flight in MODS’ To Fly exhibit and learn more during To Fly: Aviation Weekends.
All photos courtesy of MODS