Join us for a FREE, family-friendly event to prepare for the new hurricane season and meet hurricane experts, meteorologists and first responders and explore the latest weather technology, sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center
Hurricane season begins June 1 – is your family prepared? Join theMuseum of Discovery and Science (MODS), the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) andFlorida International University’s (FIU) International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., for “Eye of the Storm” – a FREE, action-packed day of family-friendly education, museum exploration and hurricane preparedness.
“With hurricane season rapidly approaching on June 1, it’s a good practice to be prepared for extreme weather and to understand the wealth of expert resources available in case of an emergency,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS. “We are proud to be Broward County’s dynamic Hub for Resilience Educationand we’re grateful to FIU and the FDEM for their support in helping us champion engagement, education and action for sustainability, resilience and overall safety during storm season.”
Future Storm Chasers can participate in family-friendly activities including:
- Presentations and Demonstrations by Hurricane Experts
- International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA) Air Cannon Missile Demonstrations
- FIU Wind Engineering
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters
- Live Weather Theater Shows
- Local TV Meteorologists
- A Kids Zone
- Weather Safety
- Weather Arts & Crafts
- Storytime
- Mascot Meet-and-Greets
- MODS Weather Science Demos and All-Day Museum Exploration
- Emergency Vehicle “Touch a Truck” and Meet & Greet with South Florida First Responders
Families can explore sustainability and climate adaptation in Florida’s Climate Future City, sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund. Guests can design and test resilient cities built to withstand extreme weather. Young meteorologists (ages 0-6) can discover how hurricanes form and create “My Hero Helper” portraits.
“We’re proud to once again partner with FDEM and MODS to make critical hurricane science, mitigation, and preparedness education accessible to the entire community,” said Erik Salna, associate director for education and outreach at FIU’s Extreme Events Institute and International Hurricane Research Center and host of “Eye of the Storm.” “South Florida is one of the most hurricane-prone regions in the country and knowledge is power. This event brings together residents, leading hurricane experts, emergency management and community relief agencies for an interactive experience that empowers families with the tools, insights and resources they need to prepare effectively and build resilience before the next storm strikes.”
Admission to MODS during the “Eye of the Storm” event is FREE thanks to the generous sponsors of FIU-IHRC and FDEM. To register, please visit mods.org/eyeofthestorm or onsite at the Museum box office upon arrival.
About Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM):
The Florida Division of Emergency Management plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. The division prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities. The division is the state’s liaison with federal and local agencies on emergencies of all kinds. Division staff members provide technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures. They also conduct emergency operations training for state and local governmental agencies. For more information, please visitfloridadisaster.org.
About Florida International University (FIU) International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC):
The IHRC is a multi-disciplinary research and education organization within the FIU Extreme Events Institute at Florida International University in Miami. As a NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador, the IHRC is focused on a single mission: to reduce hurricane damage and loss of life through more effective mitigation. The IHRC’s research is focused on several areas: household mitigation, storm surge and economic loss modeling, and wind engineering and the NSF-NHERI Wall of Wind. The IHRC also collaborates actively with the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC), co- located with the NWS-Miami Office on the FIU main campus. For more information, please visit ihrc.fiu.edu.
About the Museum of Discovery and Science:
Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades. MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 21 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service.
The Museum welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Starting in June 2025, on select dates, MODS will remain open one hour later on Fridays and Saturdays. MODS is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).
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