Step into the mouth of a giant 50 foot megalodon, an extinct species of shark that lived many millions of years ago, and live to tell the tale. Go back in time 65 million years and get a new perspective on Florida’s prehistoric past and how it was shaped by climate change and changes in sea levels. Step into the dig pit to become a paleontologist and find fossilized shark teeth and an Archelon, the largest turtle that ever existed.

Get close to a confrontation between a saber-toothed cat and an Imperial Mammoth and learn how they came to live in ancient Florida. Find out why evidence of human habitation has been found far out in the Gulf of Mexico. See how melting glaciers affect sea level rise; dig through time in simulations that show the amazing diversity of geology, flora and fauna that have populated Florida through eons of time and see your findings projected on giant, animated screens.

Storm Center
First Floor

Feel the rush of hurricane force winds in the hurricane simulator or view some of our most infamous hurricanes on a 60” digital projection globe. Be prepared, these changing patterns in nature can be violent and dangerous but here at Storm Center it’s all fascination and interactive fun.

Storm Center will offer a chance for students to touch the vortex of a 10-foot tornado and to generate a cloud or peer into a plasma ball, representing the state of matter that lights up the sky in the form of lightning. Visitors can simulate their own storm report on TV in the WSVN Weather studio. For those with a competitive nature, you can compete in an activity to build a sturdy house while a hurricane is approaching and you can tell your own hurricane story to share with other visitors.

Florida Water Story
Second Floor

Know your H2O and learn what this little molecule is made of and just what it can do. This interactive exhibit not only explains the importance of water here in Florida but how it flows and transforms throughout the state from the aquifers to the air and sea. Learn how aquifers underlie the state and provide fresh water, and experiment with the effects of wet and dry seasons on a giant Florida water table. Interactive devices will challenge guests to divide up Florida’s water between users such as people, farming and nature and realize the outcome of their decisions.

Keller Science Theater
Second Floor

Science comes to life at the new Keller Science Theater. Our science shows entertain and educate with demonstrations of physical and chemical phenomena, live animal shows and special science presentations. Our well-equipped theater and enthusiastic, trained staff turn any science topic into a fun experience of discovery and exploration. The theater has comfortable seating for up to 100 people, and can support film presentations, internet based programs, and a variety of live presentations from community experts.


Mangurian Foundation Lifelong Learning Center
Second Floor

The Mangurian Foundation Lifelong Learning Center, located within the new EcoDiscovery Center, has four fully-equipped learning labs. The new learning center will enable the Museum to serve a greater number of students and also provides Museum staff with additional resources to deliver stimulating educational programs during student field trips, day camps, or overnight camp-ins.


K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides
Second Floor Traveling Exhibit Hall

November 11, 2011 – May 6, 2012

What’s the angular velocity of the Blender Ride as it spins about the center post? This is just one of many questions that will be answered in K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides, a special exhibit that will captivate visitors and provide them the opportunity to explore the science, math and technology behind hair-raising amusement park thrill rides.

Display models will range from a roller coaster measuring over 10 feet tall, a 6 foot Ferris wheel, a variety of swing rides from 3-10 feet and include the new Serpent’s Spiral, a roller coaster made from K’NEX regular and micro parts and that stands over 4 feet in height. The realistic actions of the models will bring scientific and engineering concepts to life for students, who will be able to conduct simple experiments to explore physical forces such as potential and kinetic energy, and linear and rotational motion.

Happily, children won’t have to leave their on-site creations behind – instead, they can purchase their designs, with pricing based on a Weigh & Pay model. The Explore Store will also have K’NEX sets on sale for aspiring young engineers and architects.