{"id":999,"date":"2012-10-21T19:29:46","date_gmt":"2012-10-21T23:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~travelwriting\/?page_id=999"},"modified":"2012-10-22T09:52:15","modified_gmt":"2012-10-22T13:52:15","slug":"miamis-science-museum-teaches-visitors-about-our-world-as-it-entertains","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/travelwriting\/?page_id=999","title":{"rendered":"Miami’s Science Museum teaches visitors about our world as it entertains"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted Oct. 21, 2012<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By VANESSA RAMOS<\/p>\n

MIAMI, Fla. — <\/em>Since its opening in 1960, the Miami Science Museum has gone through many changes and additions. One of the most significant was in 1966 with the opening of the Space Transit Planetarium.<\/p>\n

A new science museum is currently under construction and scheduled to open in early 2015. But until then, this one will continue to educate the public with various exhibits and shows.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Hurricane Andrew exhibit at the Miami Science Museum educates visitors about the 1992 storm that struck South Florida (Photo by Vanessa Ramos).<\/p><\/div>\n

The Miami Science Museum is located across from historic Vizcaya Gardens, on the cusp of bustling Downtown Miami.<\/p>\n

The exhibits at the museum teach guests about a variety of scientific topics including climate change, engineering, wildlife, energy, marine science and heart health.<\/p>\n

One of the newest exhibits called \u201cHurricane Andrew\u201d shares stories of people who survived the 1992 disaster and features photos and interactive stations for guests to learn more. Many of these current exhibits feature hands-on activities that make the museum a popular place for families and school groups.<\/p>\n

\u201cI go there a few times a year with my younger cousins and they love it,\u201d said 25-year-old Erik Ruiz of Miami. \u201cThey especially the Energy Dance Floor that lights up. We always see a lot of families and kids when we go,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The Miami Science Museum offers camps for children during the spring, summer and winter. These camps offer children the chance to participate in workshops, crafts and live animal interactions.<\/p>\n

In addition to field trips and day camps, the museum also hosts camp-ins for youth groups or birthday parties where campers can spend the night at the museum. This is open for any group of students between third and eighth grades.<\/p>\n

The Miami Science Museum offers other events that aren\u2019t just for kids, one of the most popular is \u201cFabulous First Fridays\u201d at the planetarium. Every first Friday of the month the planetarium opens from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. for a night of laser shows and stargazing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve gone to Fabulous Fridays a couple times and there\u2019s usually a lot of people my age. A lot of 20-year-olds,\u201d said visitor Sarah Miller, 22, of Miami. \u201cIt\u2019s cool because they have laser shows with rock music. It\u2019s cool seeing the lights move with the music.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Sea Lab exhibit at the Miami Science Museum teaches visitors about alternate energy sources and marine life (Photo by Vanessa Ramos).<\/p><\/div>\n

Past laser shows have featured music from the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.<\/p>\n

The new science museum scheduled to open in early 2015 will not only house a full-dome 3D planetarium, it will also feature a 600,000-gallon aquarium, learning centers, and cafes.<\/p>\n

The museum\u2019s name will also change to The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. The 250,000 square-foot complex will be located in Downtown Miami\u2019s Museum Park and will overlook Biscayne Bay.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe construction of this museum will be remembered as the beginning of a new era for\u00a0 Miami\u00ad, characterized by\u00a0an emphasis on technology and all that it adds to our quality of life,\u201d said name donors Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost in a press release dated February 24, 2012.<\/p>\n

The Miami Science Museum has a blog dedicated to informing the public about the new museum and updates the website with photos and construction progress. Museum followers can read about the new museum, watch a live construction camera, learn about the project and have their questions answered.<\/p>\n

IF YOU GO<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Miami Science Museum<\/strong><\/p>\n