“Open Every Mind to Science”—that’s the slogan of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach. It provides visitors, schools, and campers with science programming and tech ventures based on computer coding, robotics, and other science programs. Although it’s not as large as some other science centers, the Cox Center offers an educational and entertaining experience, especially for kids. It has interesting displays, both inside and out. I went to check it out this summer with a friend.
The Cox Center occupies Dreher Park alongside the Palm Beach Zoo, and visitors can get deals for entrance into both facilities. Formerly the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, this museum has been serving Palm Beach County since 1961, and it’s undergone much renovation and expansion since then. It’s in the midst of an expansion project right now, and we had to walk past construction zones to get into the main building, but it’s still worth a visit. The grand opening to the public is targeted for 2027.
In November 2021, the facility announced its expansion plans along with a name change, thanks to a record donation from Howard and Wendy Cox: “Their $20 million lead gift serves as the keystone for a $115 million capital expansion campaign to take the new Cox Science Center and Aquarium into the future with expanded exhibit and programming spaces, including one of Florida’s largest aquariums.” This expansion plan will also include a three-story, state-of-the-art building with a larger exhibition gallery, enhanced programming spaces, and a full-scale restaurant.
However, Cox has already dramatically renovated its campus in the past decade, including a reconstruction of its 5,000-square-foot Hall of Discovery, a full-dome planetarium, a 1,000-square-foot early childhood exhibit, more than 80 interactive exhibits, a modernized theater, and a new science laboratory. The facility serves more than 300,000 visitors annually, including 130,000 through field trips and educational outreach into schools and classrooms. While we were there, summer camps were going on, and the kids were having a blast.
“Engineers on a Roll” is a hands-on exhibit specially designed for young children, combining elements of an engineering lab, playscape, and climbing area, focused on introducing basic engineering, science, and math concepts through play. There’s a “river of balls” that children can direct, sort, and experiment with, encouraging them to explore and learn.
If ocean learning sparks young ones’ curiosity, they can check out Explorers’ Cove, where little adventurers can dive into a world of ocean discovery, with up-close investigations and interactive adventures. Kids can look for sea treasures, climb through an underwater adventure, and look through microscopes for close-up views of ocean life.
In the Florida Exhibit Hall are “Aquariums of the Atlantic,” with 10,000 gallons of water housing native fish such as queen angels, spadefish, moray eels, and stingrays. The different habitats on display here will take you through the depths of our coral reefs and Florida’s diverse ecosystems of the Everglades, the Gulf Stream, and the open ocean.
Outside in “the backyard” of the museum, there’s a quarter-mile-long Fisher Family Science Trail, which connects 15 new exhibits, including the FPL SolarScape, an interactive splash pad, a gem panning station, an amphitheater featuring live science shows and seasonal concerts, and and a dinosaur walk. Dino Trek, the cool dinosaur garden, drew in even us older visitors. Families can imagine trekking through a prehistoric wonderland and pose for pictures in front of the life-size dinosaurs.
For more adventure, there is a limited-time exhibition, Mission Aerospace, which invites visitors to “embark on a multilayered exploration of aviation history, aerospace milestones, and some of NASA’s trail-blazing discoveries that are shaping our world every day.” For an additional cost, explorers can go on this mission through Sept. 28 and learn about NASA’s exciting new vision for the future, its research, and the global benefits it’s providing. Group discounts are available.
So, Cox Science Center is constantly growing and expanding and bringing more mind-opening science fun to families in South Florida. You may have to pardon their dust for a while, but a trip there may be well worth it in your near future.
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.coxsciencecenter.org.