The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

Overview

The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is a nonprofit organization located in Miami, Florida. It operates a science museum, planetarium, and aquarium, offering a unique combination of educational and interactive experiences. The museum is situated in Maurice A. Ferré Park, adjacent to the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), creating a hub for science, art, and culture in downtown Miami.

History

The museum has its roots in the Junior Museum of Miami, established in 1949. It was later known as the Miami Science Museum and Space Transit Planetarium, operating from a location in Coconut Grove from 1960 until its closure in 2015. The current facility was made possible by a significant donation from Miami natives Phillip and Patricia Frost, who contributed $35 million towards its construction in 2011. The new museum opened on May 8, 2017, following a $305 million construction project designed by Grimshaw Architects.

Features

The Frost Museum of Science is distinguished by its state-of-the-art planetarium and aquarium. The planetarium features a 250-seat auditorium with a 67-foot diameter dome screen, capable of projecting 16 million colors through advanced 8K projectors. The facility also includes a cone-shaped, 500,000-gallon aquarium, designed to showcase marine life from South Florida's diverse ecosystems, including the Gulf Stream, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The aquarium is accessible on multiple levels, allowing visitors to explore the marine environment from various perspectives.

The museum's exhibition space spans six floors across its North and West wings, offering a range of interactive exhibits focused on themes such as aviation, light and sound, the human body, and the Everglades ecosystem. It also includes an urban garden and a rooftop telescope for stargazing.

Sustainability and Accessibility

The museum is LEED Gold-certified, emphasizing sustainability through features like double-glazed windows, electric car charging stations, green spaces, and energy-efficient lighting. Accessibility features include accessible parking, restrooms, elevators, and step-free pathways, ensuring that all visitors can fully engage with the exhibits.

Community Engagement

The museum attracts approximately 700,000 visitors annually and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). It provides various educational programs and events, making it a vibrant part of Miami's cultural scene. The museum also supports initiatives like ReeFLorida, aimed at promoting coral reef conservation in Florida.