By Andi Fuentes, Museum of Discovery and Science
The world is changing. From rising annual temperatures to unprecedented weather anomalies, and from synthetic pollutants to the disappearance of entire species, environmental instability has become a growing concern — perhaps even the greatest challenge of our time. It threatens our ecosystem health, human well-being and sustainable development
In Florida alone, more than 14 million people living in coastal communities face life-threatening risks due to extreme weather events and encroaching seas. These communities must learn to become resilient in the face of increased heat, flooding and storm intensity.
Eco-anxiety is real, especially among the youngest members of today’s generation experiencing this dramatic environmental shift. A key question emerges: How does a trusted science institution shift the narrative toward one of eco-hope? The answer: By embedding young adults with the positive character traits of critical thinking, caring, confidence and cooperation that will empower them to move the needle from awareness to eco-action.
The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is a leader in environmental sustainability — one of its four core pillars — advancing solutions to environmental challenges, promoting community-driven action and highlighting careers in sustainability and resilience.
Building upon our designation as the Hub for Resilience Education by the Community Foundation of Broward, and entrusted with the responsibility to anchor and champion the community’s conversation, education and action around environmental resilience, MODS continues to develop innovative programs, events and experiences designed to offer viable solutions and inspire hope. Key focus areas within the Hub include policy in action, natural systems, water supply, climate tech innovation, built environment, transportation and energy resources.
MODS is the recipient of a grant from the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a global nonprofit organization addressing the global climate crisis. This grant supports the development of the next generation of environmental advocates, scientists and policymakers, providing them with the tools and opportunities to shape a more sustainable future.
For more than 50 years, EDF has been pioneering innovative solutions to environmental challenges — from designing seawalls to mitigate coastal flooding to advancing sustainable agriculture and improving air quality. MODS is proud to partner with this prestigious organization to create change through educational initiatives.
The EDF grant is funding “Florida’s Climate Future City,” a new hands-on environmental resilience activity within MODS’ Makerspace. This interactive experience engages guests in the engineering design process as they develop sustainable solutions to real-world climate challenges. In the activity, participants are challenged to design a city resilient to increased heat, flooding, wind events and energy shortages while using a range of solutions to power their communities. The activities are designed to inspire both children and adults.
“Florida’s Climate Future City” was developed through EDF funding by MODS’ EcoExplorers, a year-long paid internship for 80 Broward County high school students who are interested in careers in environmental sustainability. EcoExplorers advances MODS’ core pillar of environmental sustainability by fostering young adults who are empathetic, engaged in their communities and confident.
This paid workforce development internship combines curriculum development and workforce readiness training with real-world experience. Interns gain first-hand knowledge of the Everglades ecosystem through field excursions and then engage with guests as part-time paid museum science presenters. From aquifers and animal habitats to conservation techniques, MODS is cultivating the next generation of earth stewards.
EcoExplorers also participate in a speaker training program in collaboration with MODS’ Hub for Resilience Education committee. This prepares them to speak at public meetings including the city of Fort Lauderdale Commission, Broward County Commission, School Board meetings and neighborhood associations. Two current interns recently served as keynote speakers at the 2024 Broward Youth Climate Summit. MODS aims to further this program into an accredited initiative recognized by universities, with support from the National Science Foundation’s STEM Push initiative and the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools accrediting board.
MODS is grateful to EDF’s Florida director, Dawn Shirreffs, whose commitment to solving the global climate crisis helped bring this grant to life. The museum is honored to receive support from such a dedicated eco-advocate.
One of Dawn’s key concerns for South Florida is the increasing threat of rising ocean levels, which has become a core component of “Florida’s Climate Future City.” According to Dawn, “As we put our hearts, hands and minds together to work on solutions and bring them to the table … the panic falls away and people become re-energized to work together. This Makerspace activity gives everyone a role in designing the future we want to live in.” MODS fully supports this vision.
MODS was honored to participate in STEM Day at the Florida Capitol, presented by the Environmental Defense Fund, on March 27. Created by the Orlando Science Center in partnership with the Florida Association of Science Teachers and the Florida Department of Education, the event highlighted the importance of STEM education in science museums in preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers and policymakers.
MODS continues to advance the regional conversation on resilience and sustainability, impacting more than 500,000 annual guests and students on field trips, plus an additional 60,000 students through outreach programs. The museum’s STEMobile, a mobile makerspace, encourages young learners to engage in ecology and design-engineering activities to help native wildlife and communities thrive together while creating solutions to Florida’s unique climate challenges.
Through the EDF grant and other impactful initiatives, MODS is empowering a generation with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to address the planet’s most pressing environmental issues.
The power of knowledge. Inspiration. Innovation. Preservation. The key to understanding and ensuring a sustainable future, our eco-hope, begins with us, today.
Andi Fuentes serves as the senior director of audience engagement with the Museum of Discovery and Science. Banner photo: The “Florida’s Climate Future City” activity at MODS (Photo credit: MODS).
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