The Cox Science Center and Aquarium (CSCA) is set to undergo a major expansion, thanks to a recent wave of multimillion-dollar donations. The capital campaign goal has been increased to $85 million, with more than $62 million raised in just over a year. The expansion will feature a 200,000-gallon aquarium, showcasing the Everglades, Florida’s inland rivers, and Gulf Stream waters. The aquarium will provide interactive experiences for visitors, with a focus on education and conservation, and is expected to impact nearly 500,000 students annually, with 70% of them attending Title 1 schools.
One of the major gifts, from Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, is earmarked for the aquarium. Another donation from Leonard Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies, will support the Coral Reefs exhibit. The David H. Koch Foundation is funding an interactive fountain that will greet visitors, serving as an artistic representation of “STEAM” – science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
The expansion will also bring new features to the CSCA, including an interactive extended reality experience, an expanded traveling exhibit, a Digital Arts Studio, an indoor/outdoor exhibit area designed for young learners, an immersive learning lab, an expanded biology lab, and an expanded STEM Education Center. The Dekelboum Planetarium and Observatory will also be expanded, providing educational opportunities for students and visitors alike.
This expansion is expected to have a positive impact on the local community and beyond, serving nearly 1 million visitors annually. The CSCA is dedicated to providing hands-on, interactive learning experiences that inspire a love of science and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. With the new expansion, visitors will have the opportunity to explore, learn, and be inspired by the wonders of the ocean and the natural world.
The Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s expansion is a major step forward for science education and conservation efforts in the region. With a focus on interactive and immersive experiences, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to engage with science in exciting and meaningful ways. We encourage everyone to be excited about the possibilities this expansion brings, and to support the CSCA’s mission to inspire a love of science and conservation in the next generation.
