Great explorations children's museum will design and fabricate new exhibit space to enhance the well-being and impact of its living collection

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $126,480 Project Grant through its Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program to Great Explorations Inc., a non-profit organization operating the Great Explorations Children's Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. The grant funds will support the design and fabrication of new exhibit space to enhance the well-being and impact of the museum's living collection. Key project activities include purchasing supplies and materials to create new animal enclosures with species-specific environments to encourage natural behaviors, installing an animal enrichment wall and water filtration system, and developing a hydroponic garden and food storage/preparation areas. The new multipurpose exhibit space will enable the museum to conduct daily animal demonstrations and hands-on encounters to promote immersive, stream-based learning for families with young children and foster greater knowledge of the natural world. The project is expected to be completed by August 31, 2025.

Museum staff will purchase supplies and materials to create new enclosures for its living collection that include species-specific environments that encourage animal behavior commonly seen in the wild. The newly designed space will include an animal enrichment wall, a water-filtration system, a hydroponic garden, and food storage and preparation areas. The multipurpose space will enable staff to conduct daily demonstrations and hands-on animal encounters and promote stream-based learning through animal and nature-themed programming. The project will result in overall improved care and quality of life for the museum's living collection. The new exhibit space will enrich the overall experience of museum visitors, primarily families with young children, and encourage interactive, hands-on learning to foster greater knowledge of the natural world.