Free Family Fun Awaits at Indoor and Outdoor STEM-based Expo
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 21, 2025) – It’s full STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) ahead as the Visit Lauderdale Science Festival returns to the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) and the neighboring Esplanade Park on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.! This FREE indoor and outdoor science expo promises a day packed with thrilling live science shows, hands-on Makerspace workshops and interactive experiences designed to highlight the critical role of STEM in education and ignite curiosity and enthusiasm in young minds.
“We are thrilled to host the return of the Visit Lauderdale Science Festival, an awe-inspiring celebration of STEM that will now be an annual cornerstone event for Broward County,” said Joseph P. Cox, president & CEO of MODS. “Science festivals unite communities, ignite curiosity and showcase South Florida’s thriving STEM industries. By connecting young minds with industry leaders, we hope to inspire future innovators and drive economic and educational growth in our region.”
The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival will open with a colorful, ooey, gooey celebratory start as Cox gets SLIMED in the name of science! From there, the excitement spreads throughout the Museum and Esplanade Park, featuring nationally renowned STEM presenters, gravity-defying acrobatics and interactive challenges that will amaze and astound guests of all ages.
“The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival is an event that represents our commitment to innovation and education in Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Stacy Ritter, President & CEO of Visit Lauderdale. “By supporting this festival, we not only celebrate the wonders of science but also position our destination as a place for discovery, creativity and intellectual growth.”
This year’s festival highlights include:
Nationally Renowned Headliners
Prepare to be amazed by spectacular STEM performances that blend science, engineering and entertainment:
- Spheres Bubble Show – A mind-blowing fusion of art, science and magic! Created by Blaise Ryndes, the bubble phenom from America’s Got Talent Season 13, this Cirque Du Soleil-style performance transforms simple bubble science into a dazzling display of visuals and comedic charm.
- WeFlip Science Acrobats – Physics in motion! What started in a circus-renovated garage has soared to new heights, amazing audiences at Disney and beyond. WeFlip Entertainment is known for its gravity-defying stunts and thrilling acrobatics, all showcasing Newton’s Second Law in action! Experience the flips, stacks and daring feats that make them a must-see experience!
- It’s Not Magic, It’s Science – Starring Jay Flores, global STEM ambassador, PBS’s Make48 host and American Ninja Warrior star, this show blends mind-bending illusions with real science to spark curiosity in all ages. As a Discovery Education Mystery Science Guide, Flores has inspired millions of students by answering fun STEM questions. Witness the magic of science in this eye-opening, interactive experience!
Hands-On STEM Fun: Makerspace Workshops!
Families can unleash their creativity through interactive STEM workshops, including:
- Coding Bracelets: Learn binary code and create a bracelet with your initials encoded in black and white beads.
- Mini Makerspace: Early learners explore engineering through tinkering and tool use.
- Geometric Gaming: Sharpen your math skills with a DIY paper game.
- Diving Deep: Experiment with pressure and buoyancy using Cartesian divers.
- Cradle to Career: Explore STEM careers pathways through hands-on activities with CTS Engines, LEGO® Build the Change, Broward MPO, Blue Frontier and more.
Explore & Win: The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival Passport Challenge!
Grab a Festival Passport and collect stamps at activity stations and exhibits throughout MODS and Esplanade Park for a chance to win prizes like 4Ocean Bracelets, LEGO® kits and more!
Experiment, Build & Explore: Interactive Science Demos & Challenges!
Engage in exciting science demonstrations and hourly challenges to win prizes like MAGNA-TILES® Dino XL sets and Squishmallows!
Live Science Demonstrations
- Oobleck Run: Race across a pool of non-Newtonian fluid and explore the surprising science of solid-liquid hybrids.
- Liquid Nitrogen Show: Witness the power of extreme temperatures as liquid nitrogen shatters objects and fuels an explosive festival finale!
Science Challenges
- Pressing Plaque – Use a stent to clear plaque buildup and understand its impact on blood flow.
- Antigen Elimination – Remove as many pathogens as possible in 20 seconds using a magnetic fishing line.
- Bristle Bots – Build a tiny vibrating robot and watch it scuttle around.
- Balloon Hover Boards – Engineer a hover board with balloons and learn about air pressure.
Innovation & Discovery: Engage with Cutting-Edge Science!
Explore groundbreaking advancements at the Innovation Showcase, where local industries and universities highlight cutting-edge research shaping our community. At the Science Cafés, families can connect with leading STEM professionals and explore the latest discoveries.
Featured speakers include:
- Dr. Laura Fontenas, assistant professor of biological sciences at Florida Atlantic University, presenting groundbreaking neurobiology research on spinal injury repair.
- Dr. Afeefa Abdool-Ghany, senior scientist at Brizaga, discussing the origins of South Florida’s drinking water, focusing on the region’s aquifers and the importance of protecting them from pollution.
- Amaka Amalu, PE, founder of Tech Girl Power, empowering young girls in STEM from underserved backgrounds.
- Additional speakers from top research institutions and industries, sharing cutting-edge insights into science, technology and innovation.
Explore MODS & Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit!
Guests will enjoy free access to MODS’ world-class, educational and inspiring exhibits that shape our world and fuel innovation including the new Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit, presented locally by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Florida Prepaid College Savings Plans. Children will unravel the secrets of world-famous heroes in this new exhibit that brings to life the acclaimed PBS KIDS® TV series, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, which follows kid adventurers Xavier Riddle, his little sister Yadina and best friend Brad as they tackle everyday problems by doing something extraordinary: traveling back in time to learn from real-life inspirational figures when they were kids. The PBS KIDS® TV series, Xavier Riddle and The Secret Museum is based on the highly acclaimed children’s book series Ordinary People Change the World by #1 New York Times bestselling author and South Florida resident Brad Meltzer and award-winning letterer and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit is a national traveling exhibit created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum in collaboration with 9 Story Media Group, Inc.
IMAX Film Series Expo: Superhuman Body – World of Medical Marvels!
As part of the Visit Lauderdale Science Festival, the IMAX Film Series Expo, presented by MacGillivray Freeman Educational Foundation, features Superhuman Body: World of Medical Marvels, an awe-inspiring journey into the cutting-edge advancements transforming human health. From bionic limbs to revolutionary gene therapies, this immersive IMAX® experience showcases the future of medicine on the GIANT screen at the AutoNation® IMAX® Theater.
The Visit Lauderdale Science Festival is sponsored by Visit Lauderdale (Title Sponsor); Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan (Platinum Sponsor); Amazon, Blue Frontier, MacGillivray Freeman Educational Foundation, UKG (Gold Sponsors); Centuric Technologies, Florida Philanthropic Network, Publix Super Markets Charities, R-Squared Charitable Fund, Save Our Seas Foundation (Silver Sponsors); Broward MPO, CTS Engines, M&T Bank (Copper Sponsors); ABA Centers of Florida, McGriff (Titanium Sponsors); 4Oceans Foundation, Doubletime Digital, Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, IKEA Sunrise, Jazwares, JetBlue, MAGNA-Tiles®, Xpress Entertainment (In-Kind Sponsors).
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit mods.org/sciencefest.
About the Visit Lauderdale
Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area’s 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers as the ideal place for Everyone Under the Sun in recognition of the area’s diverse and welcoming vibe and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About the Museum of Discovery and Science
Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science
(MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades. MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 18 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service.
The Museum celebrates diversity and welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).