Frost Museum of Science in Miami, where sharks glide above, stars fill the sky, and you can dive into the Everglades or touch a stingray—all under one roof!
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science: An Adventure Guide
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- WOW! The museum’s aquarium contains enough water to fill 25 swimming pools!
- HOLY COW! The building is designed to be hurricane-resistant and can withstand Category 5 storms!
- SUPER COOL! The planetarium’s projector can show over 16 million stars!
- UNBELIEVABLE! The museum’s rooftop solar panels generate enough energy to power 26 houses!
- AMAZING! The building’s special glass prevents birds from flying into it while keeping the inside cool!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
The Aquarium Get Ready for the The Aquarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? A three-story aquarium featuring a stunning 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream tank where you can see sharks, rays, and tropical fish swimming above and around you!
INTERESTING FACT! The aquarium’s oculus lens at the bottom of the Gulf Stream tank is 31 feet wide – that’s as long as five kindergarteners lying head to toe!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “I Spy” with the different colored fish swimming by. Count how many yellow fish you can spot in one minute!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could breathe underwater like a fish, what would you want to explore first in the ocean?
DISCUSS: Fish never need to close their eyes because they don’t have eyelids! Instead, they sleep with their eyes wide open.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Fish have special scales that help them swim smoothly through the water, just like how a raincoat helps water slide right off of you. Some fish can change colors to hide from predators, while others use bright colors to warn others to stay away. Fish can feel movement in the water using a special line along their body called the lateral line – it’s like having super-sensing powers!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think some fish swim together in big groups called schools?
DISCUSS: When fish swim together in schools, they can move in perfect sync within a split second – faster than you can blink!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Swimming in schools helps protect fish from predators. It’s like holding hands with your friends on a field trip – everyone stays safer together! The fish in the middle of the school are the most protected. Some schools can have thousands of fish, and they all know exactly when to turn and move together, like they’re dancing!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the sea turtle and watch how it swims. Can you count how many times it comes up for air?
HINT: Sea turtles usually surface every few minutes to breathe.
OBJECTIVE: Look for the hammerhead shark and try to spot its unique head shape.
HINT: The hammerhead’s head looks like a hammer and helps it find food hidden in the sand.
The MeLaβ (Power of Science) Get Ready for the The MeLaβ (Power of Science) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? A hands-on exhibition where little scientists can explore how their bodies work through fun, interactive games and activities!
INTERESTING FACT! Your heart beats about 100,000 times every day – that’s more times than you could count before bedtime!
COOL ACTIVITY! Run in place on the special floor that lights up and shows how your body creates energy, just like a human battery!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think makes your heart beat faster or slower?
DISCUSS: Your heart is about the size of your fist and gets bigger as you grow!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Just like a drum makes different beats, your heart changes its rhythm depending on what you’re doing. When you’re sleeping, it beats slowly like a turtle walking. When you’re running and playing, it beats fast like a bunny hopping! Your heart is a super-strong muscle that works day and night to keep you healthy. It pumps special fluid called blood that carries food and oxygen to every part of your body, even your toes!
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think your brain tells your body to move?
DISCUSS: Your brain sends messages to your body faster than the fastest race car – at speeds up to 268 miles per hour!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Your brain is like the captain of a huge ship, sending messages through special pathways called nerves. These messages tell your legs to walk, your hands to catch a ball, and your mouth to smile. Even when you’re sleeping, your brain is working hard, making sure you’re breathing and dreaming. It’s like having a tiny computer in your head that never needs to be turned off!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the giant heart model and listen to different heartbeats.
HINT: Look for the big red structure that makes boom-boom sounds!
OBJECTIVE: Locate the brain display and try to spot the different colored parts.
HINT: The brain display lights up in different colors to show which parts control different actions.
The Planetarium Get Ready for the The Planetarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? A magical dome theater where you can fly through space and see stars, planets, and galaxies up close!
INTERESTING FACT! The planetarium’s dome is 67 feet in diameter – that’s about as wide as three school buses parked side by side!
COOL ACTIVITY! Lie back in the special reclining chairs and try to spot different shapes in the star patterns, just like finding shapes in clouds!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could visit any planet in our solar system, which one would you choose and why?
DISCUSS: Jupiter is so big that more than 1,000 Earths could fit inside it!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our solar system is like a giant family, with the Sun as the parent star and all the planets as its children. Each planet is unique – Mars is red like a fire truck, Saturn wears beautiful rings like a hula hoop, and Neptune is blue like the ocean. The planets all dance around the Sun in special paths called orbits, kind of like a cosmic merry-go-round!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think stars twinkle at night?
DISCUSS: Stars don’t actually twinkle – they only appear to twinkle because of Earth’s moving air!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Stars are like giant balls of fire floating in space, much bigger than our Earth. When we look at them through Earth’s atmosphere (the air around us), it’s like looking at them through a moving water glass – making them appear to twinkle. Some stars are different colors – blue, red, and yellow – depending on how hot they are, just like how a flame can be different colors!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the Big Dipper constellation during the show.
HINT: Look for seven bright stars that make a shape like a big spoon in the sky.
OBJECTIVE: Count how many planets you can spot during the solar system tour.
HINT: Remember, there are 8 planets in our solar system!
The River of Grass Get Ready for the The River of Grass : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? An interactive exhibit where kids can explore Florida’s Everglades ecosystem with virtual animals and weather effects!
INTERESTING FACT! The Everglades is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live together in nature!
COOL ACTIVITY! Dance in the digital rain and watch how the virtual animals react to your movements!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think makes the Everglades different from a regular forest?
DISCUSS: The Everglades is actually a very slow-moving river that’s about 60 miles wide – imagine a river as wide as 1,000 football fields!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Everglades is like a giant water park for animals! The water moves so slowly that it looks like it’s standing still. This special wetland is home to thousands of plants and animals that depend on each other. The tall grass that grows there is called sawgrass because its edges are sharp like tiny saws. Birds, alligators, and fish all work together in this amazing ecosystem, just like how different players work together on a sports team!
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think animals in the Everglades stay safe during a storm?
DISCUSS: Alligators create holes called “gator holes” that hold water and help other animals survive during dry times!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Animals in the Everglades are like nature’s weather experts! When storms come, birds fly to safe places, turtles dive underwater, and small animals hide in burrows or holes. During dry times, these animals gather around the gator holes, which are like nature’s swimming pools. It’s amazing how they all help each other survive!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of birds in the virtual Everglades.
HINT: Look for white herons, pink flamingos, and brown pelicans!
OBJECTIVE: Spot an alligator and watch how it moves through the water.
HINT: Look for ripples in the water where alligators might be swimming.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science:
Pérez Art Museum Miami: Just steps away, featuring colorful art installations and a beautiful hanging garden that kids love to explore.
Museum Park: A gorgeous waterfront park perfect for picnics and running around after your museum visit.
Bayside Marketplace: A fun outdoor shopping area with street performers, boat tours, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- The Magic School Bus Explores the Senses by Joanna Cole – Perfect for understanding the MeLaβ exhibits
- National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes – Great preparation for the planetarium
- Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes – Wonderful introduction to sea life before visiting the aquarium
- Way Down in the Everglades by Connie Toops – Helps kids understand the River of Grass exhibit
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- The Frost Museum of Science is a 250,000-square-foot wonderland of scientific discovery in downtown Miami.
- WOW! The Gulf Stream Aquarium holds 500,000 gallons of water!
- HOLY COW! The museum’s planetarium dome is 67 feet in diameter and uses 16 million pixels to create its stunning visuals!
- SUPER COOL! The building is designed to be hurricane-resistant and uses special solar panels to help power the facility!
- FIRE! The museum’s rooftop solar farm generates enough energy to power 60 houses for a year!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Aquarium – Deep Level Get Ready for the Aquarium – Deep Level : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the mysterious depths of the ocean through a massive oculus lens that offers an unprecedented view of sharks, rays, and other marine life swimming overhead.
INTERESTING FACT! The oculus lens is actually a 31-foot wide viewing window made of acrylic that’s nearly 13 inches thick!
COOL ACTIVITY! Try to identify different species of sharks by their distinctive swimming patterns and fin shapes. Time how long it takes a shark to make one complete circle around the tank!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think sharks need to keep swimming constantly, even when they sleep?
DISCUSS: Most sharks must keep moving to breathe because they practice “ram ventilation” – pushing water over their gills by swimming forward.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Unlike humans who can breathe while sitting still, sharks have evolved to be perpetual swimming machines. Some species, like the Great White, need to swim constantly to push oxygen-rich water over their gills, while others, like Nurse sharks, can pump water over their gills while lying still on the ocean floor. This adaptation has helped sharks survive for over 400 million years, making them older than dinosaurs! Their efficient swimming patterns also help them conserve energy and hunt effectively.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do sharks’ senses compare to human senses, and which one do you think is their strongest?
DISCUSS: Sharks can detect one drop of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and they can sense electrical impulses from a fish’s beating heart!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sharks are like living superheroes with sensory powers that far exceed human abilities. They have special organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that can detect tiny electrical fields produced by other animals. Their sense of smell is about 10,000 times better than ours, and they can hear sounds from miles away underwater. They even have a “lateral line” system that helps them feel vibrations in the water!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different species of sharks you can spot in 5 minutes
HINT: Look for differences in size, color patterns, and fin shapes
OBJECTIVE: Find the shark with the most unusual swimming pattern
HINT: Watch for sharks that might swim sideways or in tight circles
Planetarium Get Ready for the Planetarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience immersive space exploration through state-of-the-art projection technology that makes you feel like you’re floating among the stars.
INTERESTING FACT! The planetarium’s projection system uses 8K resolution – that’s four times sharper than your home TV!
COOL ACTIVITY! During shows, try to identify constellations and track the movement of planets across the dome.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design your own space mission, which planet would you explore and why?
DISCUSS: Venus has a day longer than its year – it takes 243 Earth days to rotate once on its axis but only 225 Earth days to orbit the Sun!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Space exploration is like solving a giant puzzle where each planet offers unique challenges. Venus, despite being similar in size to Earth, has surface temperatures hot enough to melt lead, crushing atmospheric pressure, and clouds of sulfuric acid. Scientists are currently developing special heat-resistant rovers that could survive on Venus’s surface. The challenges of exploring different planets have led to amazing technological innovations that we use on Earth today, like memory foam, scratch-resistant lenses, and water filtration systems.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think astronauts exercise in space without gravity?
DISCUSS: Astronauts must exercise for 2.5 hours every day in space to prevent their muscles and bones from weakening in zero gravity!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Living in space is like being in a constant state of floating swimming pool! Without gravity pulling on their bodies, astronauts’ muscles and bones begin to weaken. They use special exercise equipment with resistance bands and harnesses to stay fit. The International Space Station has a treadmill named after comedian Stephen Colbert, and astronauts have to be strapped down to use it. This research helps scientists understand how our bodies work and has led to better treatments for osteoporosis and muscle diseases on Earth.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate Mars in the night sky display and observe its distinctive red color
HINT: Look for the reddish-orange “star” that doesn’t twinkle
OBJECTIVE: Find and count how many of Jupiter’s moons you can spot during the show
HINT: Jupiter’s four largest moons are usually visible and look like bright dots around the planet
MeLaβ (Power of Science) Get Ready for the MeLaβ (Power of Science) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This interactive exhibition lets you become a scientist, conducting real experiments and exploring how your body and brain work.
INTERESTING FACT! The lab contains over 30 interactive stations that measure your body’s actual data!
COOL ACTIVITY! Test your reaction time at the neuroscience station and compare it with your family members.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think your brain processes information faster than the fastest computer?
DISCUSS: Your brain processes information at an incredible 268 mph, and sends signals to your body through 100 billion neurons!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The human brain is like a super-advanced biological computer that never stops working. Even when you’re sleeping, your brain is processing memories, regulating body functions, and solving problems. Scientists have discovered that the connections between neurons in your brain could stretch 100,000 miles if laid end to end! Every time you learn something new, your brain creates new neural pathways, literally rewiring itself to store this information.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think some people are left-handed while others are right-handed?
DISCUSS: Only about 10% of people are left-handed, and scientists still aren’t entirely sure why handedness exists!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Handedness is like your brain’s operating system preference. The left side of your brain controls the right side of your body and vice versa. Research shows that left-handed people often have different brain organization patterns than right-handed people. This can give them advantages in certain areas, like problem-solving and athletics. Famous lefties include Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, and Bill Gates!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Measure your heart rate before and after physical activity
HINT: Use the heart rate monitor at different activity stations
OBJECTIVE: Test your balance on different surfaces
HINT: Try closing your eyes to see how it affects your balance
River of Grass Get Ready for the River of Grass : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience an immersive digital Everglades ecosystem where your movements affect the virtual environment.
INTERESTING FACT! The exhibit uses motion sensors to track your movements and create real-time interactions with virtual wildlife!
COOL ACTIVITY! Try to spot all the native Everglades species and observe how they react to your presence.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think alligators survive both in water and on land?
DISCUSS: Alligators can go through 3,000 teeth in their lifetime, replacing each tooth up to 50 times!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Alligators are like living fossils that have existed for over 37 million years. They have special adaptations that make them perfect predators in both water and on land. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned on top of their heads so they can see and breathe while mostly submerged. They can also shut their ears and nostrils when underwater, and have special transparent eyelids that work like swimming goggles!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think the Everglades is called the ‘River of Grass’?
DISCUSS: The Everglades’ sawgrass can grow up to 9 feet tall and covers an area larger than the state of New Jersey!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Everglades is actually a very slowly moving river that’s about 60 miles wide and 100 miles long. The water moves so slowly – about a quarter mile per day – that it appears to be standing still. The sawgrass that grows throughout the region creates a vast sea of grass that waves in the wind like a giant green ocean. This unique ecosystem is home to countless species found nowhere else on Earth and plays a crucial role in Florida’s water supply.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find and identify three different types of wading birds
HINT: Look for birds with different beak shapes and leg lengths
OBJECTIVE: Spot the difference between an alligator and a crocodile
HINT: Pay attention to their snout shapes and teeth visibility when their mouths are closed
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science:
Pérez Art Museum Miami: Just steps away, this modern art museum features stunning architecture and interactive art installations perfect for creative minds.
Bayside Marketplace: A waterfront shopping and dining destination where you can watch cruise ships pass by and enjoy street performers.
Museum Park: Beautiful waterfront green space perfect for picnics and outdoor activities after your museum visit.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Sharks: A 400 Million Year Journey by Randy Wayne White
- The New Solar System: Ice Worlds, Moons, and Planets Redefined by Patricia Daniels
- Download the Frost Science app for interactive exhibits and real-time updates
- Watch “The Blue Planet” documentary series to prepare for the aquarium experience
- Visit the Frost Science blog for current exhibits and special events information
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
- The Frost Science Museum is a 250,000-square-foot facility combining cutting-edge technology with natural science exploration.
- HOLY COW! The museum’s planetarium features a 16-million-color 8K projection system that’s one of the most advanced in the world!
- SUPER COOL! The building’s design includes special glass that helps prevent bird collisions while maintaining energy efficiency!
- MIND BLOWING! The Gulf Stream tank holds enough water to fill 31 average-sized swimming pools!
- FIRE! The museum’s rooftop solar farm generates enough power to offset the energy usage of 66 average Miami homes!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Gulf Stream Aquarium Get Ready for the Gulf Stream Aquarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This massive 500,000-gallon aquarium spans three levels, offering unique perspectives of marine life from surface to depths. The cylindrical design allows you to observe pelagic fish and sharks from multiple angles, creating an immersive ocean experience.
INTERESTING FACT! The aquarium’s unique design mirrors the actual Gulf Stream current that flows past Miami, and the tank’s shape creates a continuous swimming path for its inhabitants, similar to their natural migration patterns.
COOL ACTIVITY! Use your phone to time how long it takes different species to complete one circuit of the tank, then calculate their swimming speed. Compare this to their documented speeds in the wild.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think the Gulf Stream’s movement affects global climate patterns?
DISCUSS: The Gulf Stream moves 90 times more water than all the rivers on Earth combined and transports about 1.4 petawatts of heat energy!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Gulf Stream acts like Earth’s radiator system, moving warm water from the equator toward the poles. This massive ocean current influences everything from European weather patterns to hurricane formation. It’s so powerful that ships historically used it to speed up their Atlantic crossings, and even today, sea turtles and marine mammals use it as a marine highway for migration. Scientists are currently studying how climate change might affect this crucial current system and what that could mean for global weather patterns.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What adaptations do you notice in the different fish species at various depths, and how might these help them survive?
DISCUSS: Some deep-sea fish can see in near-total darkness thanks to having up to 2 million light-sensitive cells per square millimeter in their eyes – that’s 100 times more than humans!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Marine organisms have evolved fascinating adaptations for different depths. Some fish have developed countershading (dark on top, light on bottom) for camouflage, while others have specialized swim bladders to regulate their buoyancy. Deep-sea creatures often have large eyes to capture what little light reaches them, while surface-dwelling fish typically have better color vision. The pressure changes between depths also affect how animals move and function – for every 33 feet of depth, pressure increases by one atmosphere!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find and identify three different hunting strategies used by the predatory fish in the tank.
HINT: Watch the barracuda’s positioning versus the shark’s swimming patterns.
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of symbiotic relationships between different species.
HINT: Look for smaller fish swimming near larger ones or cleaning stations.
Frost Planetarium Get Ready for the Frost Planetarium : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This state-of-the-art 250-seat planetarium features an 8K projection system and 16 million colors on a 67-foot dome, creating one of the most immersive space experiences in the world.
INTERESTING FACT! The planetarium’s projection system is so precise that it can show individual stars, planets, and galaxies with such clarity that astronomers use it for actual research!
COOL ACTIVITY! Download a star-mapping app before the show and compare what you learn in the planetarium to what you can see in Miami’s night sky later.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think astronomers determine the chemical composition of stars that are light-years away?
DISCUSS: Scientists can identify elements in distant stars by analyzing their spectral lines – essentially their light fingerprint – which is like reading a cosmic barcode!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Each element creates a unique pattern of lines when its light is split through a prism. This technique, called spectroscopy, helps astronomers determine not just what stars are made of, but also their temperature, age, and motion. The same principle is used in everyday technology like airport security scanners and medical imaging. The Doppler effect, which causes these spectral lines to shift, also helps scientists discover exoplanets and measure the universe’s expansion.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If we could travel at the speed of light, how would time change for us compared to people on Earth?
DISCUSS: According to Einstein’s theory of relativity, if you traveled at the speed of light for what seemed like 1 year to you, 30 years might pass on Earth!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Time dilation isn’t just theoretical – GPS satellites have to account for it because time moves slightly faster in orbit than on Earth’s surface. This effect becomes more dramatic at higher speeds or in stronger gravitational fields. Astronauts on the International Space Station age about 0.01 seconds slower per year than people on Earth. This has real implications for future space travel – a theoretical trip to Alpha Centauri would create significant time differences between the travelers and those left behind.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: During the show, identify three different types of celestial objects and note their distances from Earth.
HINT: Pay attention to the scale indicators shown during the presentation.
OBJECTIVE: Find and sketch the current position of planets visible in tonight’s sky.
HINT: The pre-show often includes a guide to current astronomical events.
MeLaβ (Medical Laboratory) Get Ready for the MeLaβ (Medical Laboratory) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This interactive exhibition lets you explore the human body through cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiments, including real-time health monitoring and medical simulations.
INTERESTING FACT! The lab features actual medical imaging equipment and can show you real-time views of your own heartbeat and brain activity!
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the “Body Metrics” station to measure your own biometric data and compare it to different athletic activities.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think artificial intelligence is changing the way doctors diagnose diseases?
DISCUSS: AI can now detect certain cancers with 95% accuracy, often spotting details that human doctors might miss!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Modern medical AI systems can analyze millions of medical images and patient records in minutes, learning patterns that help identify diseases earlier. This technology is already being used in radiology, pathology, and even mental health diagnosis. The future of medicine will likely combine human expertise with AI assistance, similar to how pilots use automated systems in modern aircraft. This raises interesting ethical questions about the balance between human and machine decision-making in healthcare.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What role do you think genetics plays in personalized medicine, and how might this change healthcare in the future?
DISCUSS: Your DNA contains enough information to fill 100 encyclopedia volumes, yet it can all fit inside the nucleus of a single cell!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Genetic medicine is revolutionizing healthcare through techniques like CRISPR gene editing, which allows scientists to “cut and paste” DNA sequences. This technology could potentially cure genetic diseases, create more resilient crops, and even bring back extinct species. However, it also raises ethical considerations about genetic modification and access to these treatments. Scientists are already using genetic information to create personalized cancer treatments and predict disease risks before symptoms appear.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate three different medical imaging technologies and compare their uses.
HINT: Look for the display showing different types of brain scans.
OBJECTIVE: Find and test your reaction time using the nervous system exhibit.
HINT: Compare your results with different types of stimuli.
The River of Grass Get Ready for the The River of Grass : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This immersive exhibit recreates the Florida Everglades ecosystem, featuring interactive digital projections and real-time weather data to demonstrate this unique environment’s complexity.
INTERESTING FACT! The exhibit uses advanced motion sensors and AI to create virtual animals that respond to visitors’ movements, mimicking real wildlife behavior in the Everglades!
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the interactive water table to experiment with water flow patterns and see how they affect the ecosystem. Document how changing water levels impact different species in the simulation.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think climate change and sea-level rise might affect the Everglades’ freshwater ecosystem?
DISCUSS: Just one foot of sea-level rise could push saltwater 3 miles inland in the Everglades, fundamentally changing thousands of acres of habitat!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Everglades acts as a giant water filter and freshwater storage system for South Florida. Rising sea levels are causing saltwater intrusion, which threatens both wildlife and Miami’s drinking water supply. The system of water management that protects Miami from flooding also impacts water flow through the Everglades. Scientists are using advanced computer modeling to predict these changes and develop adaptation strategies, similar to how meteorologists use models to forecast weather patterns.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What role do you think invasive species play in disrupting the Everglades’ food web, and how might this affect the entire ecosystem?
DISCUSS: A single female Burmese python can lay up to 100 eggs per year, and these invasive snakes have eliminated up to 99% of small mammals in some areas of the Everglades!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Everglades’ food web is incredibly complex, with each species playing a crucial role in maintaining balance. Invasive species like the Burmese python, lionfish, and Brazilian pepper tree disrupt these relationships. Scientists use DNA analysis, radio tracking, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to monitor these invasions. The challenge of managing invasive species provides real-world applications of population dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and ecosystem management principles.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify three native Everglades species and their adaptations for surviving in this unique ecosystem.
HINT: Look for information about wading birds’ specialized beaks and legs.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of how water flow patterns have changed in the Everglades over the past century.
HINT: Check the historical maps and water flow diagrams.
Feathers to the Stars Exhibition Get Ready for the Feathers to the Stars Exhibition : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This exhibit traces the evolution of flight from prehistoric flying creatures to modern space exploration, featuring real artifacts and interactive demonstrations of aerodynamics.
INTERESTING FACT! The exhibit includes actual pieces of spacecraft and a simulation of the forces that allow both birds and planes to achieve lift!
COOL ACTIVITY! Use the wind tunnel testing station to experiment with different wing designs and collect data on their performance.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do the principles of biomimicry from bird flight influence modern aerospace engineering?
DISCUSS: The winglets on modern aircraft, which improve fuel efficiency by up to 5%, were inspired by the upturned wing feathers of soaring birds!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Engineers continue to study bird flight for inspiration in aircraft design. The way birds change their wing shape during flight has influenced the development of morphing wing technology. Birds’ hollow bones inspired lightweight aerospace materials, and their navigation abilities have influenced GPS systems. Current research includes studying how birds handle turbulence to improve aircraft stability systems and how hummingbird hovering could influence drone design.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What challenges do you think engineers face in designing spacecraft that can function both in Earth’s atmosphere and in the vacuum of space?
DISCUSS: The Space Shuttle’s heat shield tiles could be heated to 2,300°F on one side while remaining cool enough to hold in your bare hand on the other!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Spacecraft must deal with extreme temperature variations, radiation, micrometeorites, and the transition between atmospheric and space flight. Engineers use sophisticated materials like aerogels (99.8% air) and multi-layer insulation that reflects heat like a mirror. The challenges of space flight have led to innovations we use daily, from memory foam to scratch-resistant lenses. Current developments in reusable rockets and space planes are solving new engineering challenges that could make space travel more accessible.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Compare the wing structures of three different flying creatures or vehicles from different eras.
HINT: Look for the evolutionary timeline display showing wing development.
OBJECTIVE: Find and document three different materials used in aerospace construction and their specific purposes.
HINT: Check the materials science section near the space exploration area.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science:
Pérez Art Museum Miami: A stunning contemporary art museum right next door with impressive architecture and rotating exhibitions perfect for art-loving teens.
Adrienne Arsht Center: Miami’s premier performing arts venue offering student discounts on world-class performances.
Museum Park: Beautiful waterfront park perfect for photos, picnics, and watching cruise ships pass by.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “Oceanography: An Invitation to Marine Science” by Tom Garrison – Perfect for understanding the Gulf Stream exhibit
- “Turn Left at Orion” by Guy Consolmagno – Excellent companion for the planetarium experience
- “The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea” by Jack E. Davis – Provides context for the aquarium exhibits
- Download the Frost Science app for interactive exhibit guides and real-time programming schedules
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a world where you can touch the clouds, swim with sharks (safely!), and explore the mysteries of outer space all in one amazing place! The Frost Science Museum in Miami is like having four incredible museums wrapped into one magical building. Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand beneath a hammerhead shark as it glides overhead, or touch a real stingray? Get ready for an adventure that will make your eyes pop and your mind soar!
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