The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is scheduled to open its doors to the public on Monday, May 8, 2017 at its new home in Downtown Miami’s Museum Park. Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the 250,000 square foot facility combines a planetarium, aquarium and science museum on one campus, furthering Miami-Dade County’s vision of Miami as a major cultural hub with one of the most sophisticated science and technology museums in the nation. The museum is currently putting finishing touches on the building and exhibitions while simultaneously preparing for the arrival of its new residents—fish, birds and reptiles. Admission tickets will be available starting March 6 on the museum website at frostscience.org.
“Thanks to the hard work of our Board of Trustees, project team and the museum staff, we are now almost ready to open our doors and look forward to welcoming the public on May 8,” said Frank Steslow, Frost Science President. “The technology, engineering and sustainability features found throughout the museum rival those on a global stage and will inspire and motivate generations to come. We thank the people of Miami-Dade County for their continued support in this project and are certain that they will be proud of their community’s new science museum. With the support of Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County, the Board of County Commissioners, City of Miami and our many private donors, we are now at the finish line. Our goal is that Frost Science will be an international destination and vibrant educational space that encourages curiosity and investigation.”
Frost Science is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. The museum is divided into four buildings, the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings, where guests can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind, and much more. It’s one of the few museums to house a planetarium, aquarium and science museum on one dynamic campus. Guests can explore the world of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in an experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows.
The following is a brief description of the unique exhibitions featured at Frost Science:
• Frost Planetarium – One of only thirteen 3-D 8K-projection planetariums in the world, the cutting edge, 250 seat planetarium will take visitors on virtual journeys that both thrill and educate. The ultra-real immersive experience is the result of a 16 million color visual system using six projectors and surround sound inside the 67-foot dome.
• Aquarium – From Gulf Stream sharks to tiny organisms found within coral, the three level Aquarium is a trip through the beautiful water habitats of South Florida while exploring marine biology and more. Guests will begin their journey on the ‘Vista’ level where they will marvel at fish and touch a stingray. Then, they’ll descend to the ‘Dive’ and ‘Deep’ levels for interactive learning stations and fantastic underwater views, including a one of a kind, 31-foot-wide oculus lens and viewing portal into the Gulf Stream Aquarium habitat.
• Feathers to the Stars – Visitors are invited to follow the astounding story of flight—from feathered dinosaurs to the future of space travel—in an interactive space as they learn about the biology and evolution of flight, aerospace engineering, astronomy and physics. They’ll come face to face with a 30- foot feathered dinosaur; meet the daredevil inventors who pioneered human aviation; they’ll build and launch their own air rockets; and they’ll try on wing sleeves in a wind tunnel and more.
• River of Grass – The wet, wild and mysterious River of Grass takes young explorers inside one of the Most precious ecosystems on the planet—the Everglades. The experience carries guests through two spaces: a hands-on outdoor area, and an indoor virtual Everglades where digital animals frolic and interact, communicating a fun storyline of biodiversity, hydrology and environmental science.
• LASERsHOW: Light, Color and Geometry –Learn about the physics of light while surrounded by the beauty of an immersive laser show. Launching in the museum’s largest gallery, LASERsHOW: Lights, Color and Geometry brings visitors on an immersive experience of the wonders of lasers and light itself.
• MeLaß – Visitors can challenge their brain, stop a virus, dance or just chill out as part of the MeLaß experience, which explores behavioral science and neuroscience research, medical technology and public health. They’ll explore the amazing ways that their body and mind interact, and how their daily choices can impact how both entities work together.
• Solar and Lunar Rooftop Terraces – The museum’s living rooftop terraces give visitors access to the power of the elements—sun, wind and rain—while collecting data that helps identify patterns in the natural systems around us.
• Learning Center – A home base for the museum’s educational programs—including youth and professional development, family engagement, innovative technologies and learning research—the Learning Center features a suite of four classrooms. Visitors will engage with STEM programming and the Inventors-in-Residence, a residency program for scientists developing innovative solutions in the health and environmental sectors.
• Other highlights include multiple special exhibitions, an expansive main atrium, flexible programming spaces, and a café and retail store.
“Frost Science is the next important accomplishment in the County’s vision that our major cultural institutions will be in one central area in Downtown Miami. This world class science museum is next door to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, walking distance to the Adrienne Arsht Center, and across the Causeway from Miami Children’s Museum,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Together, this constellation of cultural institutions provides our community with one of the most dynamic and diverse sets of cultural attractions anywhere. On behalf of Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, we are incredibly proud of Frost Science and look forward to welcoming our community’s children and families to the wonders of science.”
“Frost Science is a testimony to so many who gave their passion and dedication to making this a reality. We are incredibly thankful to our donors as well as our past and present board members for their tireless commitment and energy over the years in getting us to this day. We would also like to recognize our former board co-chairs, Trish and Dan Bell, for their visionary leadership,” said Cesar L. Alvarez, Chairman, Frost Science Executive Committee. “Of course, none of this would be possible without the financial support and governance of Phillip and Patricia Frost. It is because of their generosity that the museum will be a place where our community can learn about 21st century science and technology in an era where science and technology is defining all that we do.”
Frost Science is also launching a mobile app that will be available for download on IOS and Android devices. Visitors will be able to enhance their museum experience by participating in interactive scavenger hunts across the campus and earn digital badges. The app will also unlock curated exhibit content, including science stories, audio and video clips, research and more. Using the latest iBeacon technology, visitors can also access descriptive audio of selected tactile exhibits, locate themselves on the map and many other additional features.
In addition to the exhibitions mentioned, an exciting roster of programming and special visiting exhibitions will be announced soon. Registration is also currently available for many 2017 museum programs including birthday parties, field trips, summer camp and more.
Hours: Frost Science will be operating 365 days a year from 9 AM – 6 PM daily. Please check frostscience.org for special holidays, extended hours and unexpected closings.
Tickets: Admission tickets are available online and include access to all museum exhibitions and one Frost Planetarium show. (NOTE: Some special exhibitions may have a surcharge.) To avoid long lines and sellouts, visitors are strongly encouraged to go online and purchase tickets in advance. Admission to the museum for non-members will be $28 for adults and $20 for children (ages 3-11). Children two and under are free. All Miami- Dade County residents receive a 15% admission discount. (Discounts are only available at the museum Ticket Center.)
Memberships: Memberships to the museum are also available online, starting at $65 for individuals. Household memberships are $145 for Family (two adults and up to four children ages 3 to 17) and $195 for Family PLUS (same admission benefits as Family, plus two additional guests on each visit). Patron level memberships are also available starting at $1,000. For more information, visit frostscience.org.
Location: The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is located at 1101 Biscayne Blvd Miami, FL 33132. Paid self-parking is available in the museum garage during regular museum hours. The Museum Park Metromover station is directly adjacent to Frost Science. For more information, please visit frostscience.org or call (305) 434-9600.
Frost Science is grateful for the generous support of the residents of Miami-Dade County, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, Board of County Commissioners of Miami-Dade County, Building Better Communities Bond Program and the City of Miami.
Follow Frost Science on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @frostscience.
