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The mission of the Museum of Discovery and Science is to provide experiential pathways to lifelong learning in science for children and adults through exhibits, programs and films. The Museum of Discovery and Science has contributed significantly to the revitalization of the arts and sciences district in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Consisting of 85,000 square feet of interior space, the 300-seat AutoNation IMAX Theater, and an open-air grand atrium, the Museum features dynamic interactive exhibits in the natural and physical sciences and a large array of programs designed to serve diverse audiences. The Museum serves almost 500,000 visitors each year and is the primary destination for school field trips in Broward County. Last year, the Museum hosts 95,000 students on school-sponsored field trips plus additional 100,000 school-age children visiting with friends and family. The ability of the Museum to entertain and educate children and adults through hands-on exhibits, engaging educational programming and films, and a live animal collection adds immeasurably to the region's educational resources. The museum has a $6.5 million operating budget and an endowment of $3.9 million. Beginning as a project of the Junior League of Fort Lauderdale, the Discovery Center, a hands-on children's museum, opened April 11, 1977 in the historic New River Inn. The League placed the museum's governing authority in the hands of a new community-based Board of Trustees, and the museum was chartered as a private, non-profit corporation. In 1979, the Junior League donated the King-Cromartie House pioneer home to the Museum, barging it down the New River and placing it next to the Inn. In 1980, the City of Fort Lauderdale constructed a "Schoolhouse" replica to complete the Museum's three-building complex. By 1986, community demand had far exceeded the Museum's capabilities in the small complex. With an eye toward growth, the Museum's Board of Trustees aggressively sought inclusion in the City's General Obligation Bond and mounted a community-wide educational campaign to encourage its passage. The Bond passed successfully by a wide voter margin. City residents voted to tax themselves, providing $8 million toward a new Museum and IMAX theater. Armed with this strong public support and a detailed plan for the future, the Museum initiated discussions to develop an Arts & Science District to solidify the rejuvenation of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Linking with the City, County, School Board of Broward County, Performing Arts Center and Downtown Development Authority, the Museum applied for and received $21 million in state educational funds for this innovative district. An $11 million share of these funds, plus the $8 million City Bond, a $2 million lead gift from Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation, a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation, and $11 million from committed trustees, staff, corporations, foundations and individuals provided a fund total of $32.6 million. These investments completed the new Museum of Discovery and Science and Blockbuster IMAX Theater, and funded a $3 million permanent endowment. Such strong support for the project on the local, regional, statewide and national levels resulted in the Museum being the only debt-free major cultural institution to open in greater Fort Lauderdale in the past decade. Upon completion of the Capital Campaign, the new Museum opened on November 21, 1992, meeting the increasing demands for informal science education and cultural experiences in South Florida. Attendance topped the 1 million mark in less than two years. In 1996, major additional capital funds were invested in upgrading the IMAX Theater to include 3D projection capability, generating a significant spike in attendance. During the mid- 1990's, the new Museum's phenomenal success inspired the Board to undertake a planning process for a major expansion and to purchase additional property for such use. The Museum acquired the New World Aquarium as a wholly owned affiliate in 1999, thus making available PECO matching funds of $4.4 Million to support development of an environmental education center as part of the Museum's expansion. However, during the period of 1999 through mid 2002, a weakened national economy and several changes in staff leadership mandated a delay in realization of the expansion plans. Today, with revitalized leadership, an improving economy, and a strong commitment to its mission, the Museum is ready to move forward with the renewal and expansion necessary to guarantee its future as a vital community resource. The Museum has established a strong cooperative relationship with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and formed the Museum Collaboration Committee with representatives from the 29 agencies involved in the Everglades project. Numerous other community partners, both corporate and institutional, join with the Museum to extend its reach and effectiveness. The Museum's new Strategic Plan envisions major new exhibit halls to explore critical environmental issues, well equipped laboratory/classrooms, and outdoor science exhibits that will connect the museum fully to its Florida environment.