Museum of Science and Industry
Community Spotlight: Museum of Science and Industry
When it comes to learning about new and exciting things, there are many options that can go beyond the classroom and dense textbooks. If you or your child is in need of a fun and exciting way to stretch your legs and learn more about the various areas of science through an interactive experience, then you should consider going to the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa.
About the Museum
The Museum of Science and Industry was first founded in 1962 as a way to offer natural science exhibits and educational programs to both adults and children. First named the Museum of Science and Natural History, it was later renamed MOSI after undergoing new construction, which was completed in 1980 in order to provide more extensive exhibits and programs. Another interesting change that the museum undertook occurred in 1995. This change included a 190,000 square-foot science center housing Florida's only IMAX Dome Theatre, permanent temporary galleries, an elegant planetarium, and a public library.
The museum quickly became the largest science center in the Southeast and the fifth largest in the country. In 2009, MOSI gained the most prestigious award given to museums from the National Medal for Museums for the Institute of Museums and Library Services.
Exhibits
There are various exhibits at MOSI, both permanent and temporary. Some exhibits that are still present and have been featured in the past include:
- A Look Inside: A fun and interactive experience where visitors can learn how nutrition, physical activities, medicine, and technology all play vital roles in health.
- Mission: Moonbase: In this exhibit, you can live like an astronaut by learning how to grow food and water supplies on the moon as well as gathering samples of the Moon’s surface.
- Virtual Reality Simulator: If you’re wanting to travel somewhere a lot further than a typical vacation, this reality simulator will allow you to do a spacewalk at the International Space Station or swim with prehistoric creatures in 360 degrees!
Learning Can Be Fun!
MOSI proves that learning can be a fun and fruitful experience! They provide a slew of hands-on interactive programs that’ll be sure to make your child leap for joy! Some programs include summer camps, field trips, homeschool programs, overnight camp-ins, and scout programs.
If you or your child’s interests are more out there then you can sign up to join MOSI’s SkyWatch. Ran by space experts, you’ll be invited to join a night of stargazing using high-quality telescopes. All ages are allowed, and there’s no ticket or purchase necessary. Another program that’ll be sure to be of interest to your child is Minecraft Mania, where your child will play custom-designed individual and multiplayer worlds and situations that are only exclusive to MOSI! Each week features a new and interactive experience, and as an added bonus, signing up to participate in Minecraft Mania will also allow your child to gain general admission to the museum at no additional cost. The program takes place Saturday afternoons and is available for children ages seven to 12.