Museum Of Discovery And Science Awarded Funding To Enhance High School Workforce Development Internship

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EcoExplorers discovering the wonders of Everglades National Park.
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The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), was awarded $250,000 through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The funding supports the Museum’s EcoExplorers paid high school internship program and the development of a new environmental installation and educational programs.

 

“This is a significant investment in the future of our State — it is a catalyst for transformative education,inspiration and action. By instilling in our EcoExplorers the essential traits of leadership, critical thinking, civic responsibility and resilience, we are empowering the next generation of environmental stewards who will lead the charge in sustainability and conservation efforts,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “MODS is a proud contributor to sustaining the quality of life in Broward County and inspiring upcoming generations of scientific leaders. We are grateful for this investment and recognize the need for continued State funding to ensure the long-term viability of cultural organizations like ours. We extend our gratitude to Florida Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book and State Representative Chip LaMarca for their leadership and support of this strategic investment.”

 

“I was honored to fight and secure $250,000 in the Florida Budget supporting MODS and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. These funds will raise awareness of the vital role the Wildlife Corridor plays in our state’s ecology, while also providing opportunities for students from our underserved communities to participate in a year-long paid internship giving them hands-on experience in careers focused on sustainability and resiliency,” said Senator Lauren Book.

 

“As a longtime MODS board member and supporter, it has been my privilege to work with the legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis over the past few years on critical funding for MODS,” said Representative Chip LaMarca. “This year’s appropriation was particularly special because it creates opportunities for students right here in our community, creating internships learning about the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Our EcoExplorers could be our next museum and environmental professionals, bringing MODS into the future from decades to come.”

 

As the Hub for Resilience Education, MODS is strengthening its role as the primary facilitator for resilience and sustainability education in Broward County. This funding enables the Museum to continue developing a pipeline of environmental stewards at MODS in support of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Interns will be working on the development of a new installation, Nature Explore, highlighting the importance of wildlife corridors in our State.

 

EcoExplorers is a unique, paid internship offered through MODS’ STEM Center for Education and Career Development. Tailored to 10th, 11th and 12th grade Broward high school students who are interested in and passionate about the environment, this program spans a full year, encompassing both a summer immersion program and a school-year workforce readiness component. The overarching goal is to ensure that Florida’s future workforce is prepared to fill opportunities in the environmental sustainability and resilience fields.
EcoExplorers discovering the ecosystems of South Florida atop Hobe Mountain at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

During the summer immersion phase, EcoExplorers engage in hands-on learning experiences with MODS’ environmental programs and embark on field excursions to South Florida’s iconic locations, including the Everglades. These excursions allow interns to immerse themselves in the region’s environmental challenges, literally getting their feet wet while gaining valuable insights. The school-year segment focuses on honing both hard and soft workforce readiness skills, such as public speaking, teambuilding and professionalism by empowering EcoExplorers to educate Museum guests confidently.

Over the course of the school year, EcoExplorers dedicate approximately 275 hours to learning, training and becoming stewards of South Florida’s environment. This invaluable experience not only equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to fill the careers that address environmental challenges but also instills a sense of responsibility towards their community.

 

Newfound knowledge, skills and responsibility will be key to the EcoExplorers’ role in activating environmental programs and engaging with guests, utilizing environmental installations at MODS as interpretive tools. Nature Explore, MODS’ new outdoor family experience opening in 2025, will be a cornerstone of environmental interpretation.

 

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.
Photos courtesy of MODS

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