South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
‘Excited to be back’
How Museum of Discovery and Science aims to keep kids safe, curious
In one corner, two masked boys jammed down every button on the controller pad in front of them, hurrying to see the mechanical stegosaurus wave its tail and roar. In another, a wide-eyed toddler reached out and touched a live snake before immediately following her mom to a hand sanitizer dispenser. These are the scenes of the newly re-opened Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale, which welcomed members back on June 16 and will open to the public on June 23 under its “healthy scientists make healthy choices” protocol.
“We’re so excited to be back,” said Joseph Cox, museum president. “It’s the sound of kids laughing and running around having a great time that really brings this together.”
When visitors arrive, they are temperature-checked and masked before being allowed in. Cleaning workers armed with disinfectant spray are on constant rotation to wipe down exhibit surfaces, railings and even trash can lids. And there are motion-activated hand sanitizer dispensers throughout
the facility.
To maintain social distancing, MODS is capped at
25% capacity, meaning a maximum of 500 people can be inside at any given time, said Andi Fuentes, museum director of audience engagement. Its IMAX theater is similarly limited to 30% capacity with every other row blocked off.
The museum’s new hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour-long deep cleaning break from 1 to 2. On Sundays, the museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. with the deep cleaning hour from 2 to 3. Mondays are reserved for limited and prescheduled group tours only.
Ticket prices are the same at $22 for seniors ages
65 and up, $24 for adults,
$19 for children ages 2-12 and free for children under
2.
Fuentes said a few of the more hands-on, interactive exhibits that just couldn’t be disinfected — like the prehistoric sand pit and the glacier ice melting station — are still closed. But much of the museum is up and running again for anyone to enjoy, including the outdoor science park.
None of its first visitors Tuesday morning seemed to mind the changes. In fact, they were all elated to be out of the house.
Meagan Palombo arrived right at 10 a.m. with her
6-year-old nephew, Dylan,
2-year-old son, Carter, and
3-week-old daughter, Emma.
“I brought the world’s tiniest dinosaur fan,” she said of Emma, who was dressed up in dinosaur-patterned pants.
Palombo, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, has been a museum member for two
Exhibit maintenance technician David Mancebo works on an exhibit at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale as they reopened to members on June 16.
years. She said she’s grateful the museum is open again, as it means Carter has somewhere other than their home to play and learn.
“We’re excited to get out and play, especially Carter,” she said. “He loves dinosaurs. It’s perfect!”
As for the coronavirus risk, Palombo said she feels safe at the museum because of the staff’s precautions. She, Dylan and Carter all wore masks, though Emma didn’t as she was too little. The boys, despite being young, handled wearing the masks well. Carter only took his off once and put it right back on when his mom reminded him.
Another family group, made up by grandmother Debbie Hanson, mother Shanna Gardner, and sons Jack and Nolan, 4- and 3-years-old respectively, also came early in the day. Hanson, speaking for all four while the boys ran around and their mother chased after, said they felt
completely at ease in the museum.
“I’m high risk, and I’m not worried at all here,” said Hanson, a 64-year-old cancer patient and long-time museum member. “I’m really grateful this opened, and I see no reason why they shouldn’t be. Especially for kids, it’s such a healthy and good way to teach them. They’re learning, and they don’t even know it.”
For others interested in visiting, the museum’s current main exhibit, “Expedition: Dinosaur,” will be open until Sept. 7. Summer camp, which starts July 7, is also available for kids ages 6-12 in 10-person classes for social distancing.
Online content is available as well, ranging from a YouTube video about chocolate slime to a hurricane preparedness series.
MODS is at 401 SW Second St., and can be reached at 954-467-6637 for questions.