By Kayla Sanders, Museum of Discovery and Science
Florida is at the frontlines of the climate crisis, with rising sea levels, frequent flooding and extreme weather threatening its vibrant communities. In response, the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University (FAU), has unveiled “Making Florida Resilient” — an interactive and empowering exhibit designed to inspire guests to become agents of change.
This hands-on experience delves into South Florida’s environmental challenges while showcasing the innovative work of local engineers and FAU researchers who are creating solutions to combat flooding, rising seas and extreme weather.
Engaging with climate solutions through play
At the heart of the hands-on experience is the digital interactive highlighting solutions inspired by The Invading Sea website and videos, as well as FAU research. The exhibit also will feature the Lego Build the Change experience, where guests are invited to participate in imaginative design challenges.
These activities include constructing solutions to protect Everglades wildlife, designing living seawalls and creating electric cars. By tackling real-world problems through play, children and adults alike are encouraged to explore their creativity while building practical, sustainable solutions.
This unique approach also introduces guests to career opportunities in environmental science, architecture and city planning, empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.
Community involvement
The exhibit is a testament to the power of community collaboration. It brings together the expertise of local engineers and researchers, including designs and models from KindDesigns, Smart Seawall Technologies Inc. and MODS’ EcoExplorers high school internship program.
As an interpretive site of the Florida ClimateReady Tech Hub — led by Miami-Dade County and supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) — this partnership underscores the importance of regional teamwork in addressing the climate crisis.
MODS’ commitment to sustainability
MODS is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Climate Smart Humanities Program (Climate Smart) grant, which supports cultural institutions in conducting environmental assessments to anticipate and plan for operational, physical and financial risks posed by climate-related events.
This grant supports MODS’ commitment to embedding sustainability into its practices and highlights the Museum’s role in addressing climate challenges. The NEH Climate Smart grant enables MODS to conduct comprehensive assessments of its greenhouse gas emissions, develop actionable strategies for reducing carbon footprints and serve as a model for other institutions.
This grant is part of the Caretakers of Wonder consortium, a national initiative that brings together family-serving museums, environmental consultants and humanities scholars to create meaningful climate action plans. The initiative emphasizes the power of the humanities — stories, history and cultural practices — to inspire climate resilience and action.
By integrating climate science with the rich traditions of storytelling and community engagement, MODS and its consortium partners (Madison Children’s Museum, Chicago Children’s Museum, Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Louisiana Children’s Museum and The Wild Center) are fostering a holistic approach to sustainability.
The grant also positions MODS as a leader in the museum field by pioneering innovative sustainability strategies that can be scaled and replicated across the country. By sharing its findings, tools and practices widely, MODS aims to inspire other museums and cultural institutions to undertake similar climate-smart initiatives, creating a ripple effect of positive change within the museum sector and beyond.
Experience the exhibit
Visitors can experience the “Making Florida Resilient” exhibit firsthand anytime at MODS, but two upcoming events offer perfect opportunities to dive deeper into its engaging and inspiring activities. During Lego Weekends in January, guests can join the interactive Lego Build the Change challenges, blending creativity with real-world problem-solving to address Florida’s environmental challenges.
Additionally, the exhibit will be a key feature at the Visit Lauderdale Science Festival, a full day of hands-on STEM adventures at MODS on March 8. Attendees can enjoy thrilling live science shows presented by nationally renowned experts, participate in makerspace workshops to build and experiment, explore groundbreaking innovations at the Innovation Showcase and engage in thought-provoking discussions with STEM professionals at Science Cafés.
These events showcase the collaborative spirit and creativity needed to inspire action and empower communities to build a sustainable and resilient future for Florida.
The bigger picture
“Making Florida Resilient” is just the beginning. As the first phase of MODS’ future Building a Better World Together permanent exhibition, set to open in 2026, the exhibit serves as a prototype for innovative, hands-on experiences aimed at sparking action and hope among its 450,000 annual guests.
Be part of the solution
Explore the transformative “Making Florida Resilient” exhibit at MODS or immerse yourself in its interactive journey at FAU’s Davie Campus, located in the Liberal Arts Building. This dual-location exhibit invites you to discover your role in shaping a sustainable future by exploring cutting-edge solutions to climate challenges.
Whether you’re at MODS or FAU, join the movement to make Florida more resilient and create meaningful change in our communities.
Kayla Sanders serves as the manager of exhibits collections and development at the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale. Banner photo: Part of the “Making Florida Resilient” exhibit (Photo courtesy of MODS).
Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here. To support The Invading Sea, click here to make a donation. If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. To learn more about the ClimateReady Tech Hub, watch the video below.
