Discovery place will strengthen informal early learning experiences for children and families by renovating and reinterpreting exhibits at discovery place kids-huntersville

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Discovery Place, Inc. $3,158,298 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to renovate and reinterpret exhibits at Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The project will design, fabricate, and install renovated exhibits enabling children ages 2–10 to explore science, literacy, and numeracy. The recipient will develop character learning kits for distribution through community organizations to extend learning beyond museum visits, create instructional resources and training for educators, and deliver public programs and events that reinforce character development and collaborative learning through storytelling, play, and inquiry-based activities. These activities will serve children and caregivers visiting the facility, as well as educators, community partners, and museum professionals seeking research-informed educational frameworks.

The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Discovery Place, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specializes in STEM educational programming and research-oriented initiatives.

Project activities will include the design, fabrication, and installation of renovated exhibits to help children explore science, literacy, and numeracy. The project team will develop character learning kits that extend learning beyond the museum visit and collaborate with community organizations to distribute them. Additional project activities will include the development of instructional resources and training for educators, and public programs and events to reinforce character development and collaborative learning through storytelling, play, and inquiry-based activities. The project will benefit children ages 2-10 and their caregivers who visit discovery place kids-huntersville, in addition to educators, community partners, and museum professionals interested in research‑informed educational frameworks.