The Great Explorations Children’s Museum has been educating and entertaining youth in St. Petersburg since 1987. Currently, the organization is developing a new Discovery Center. 

It will be a space where children can investigate engineering, space exploration, 3D printing and chemistry, among other topics. A location for the proposed initiative has not yet been selected. 

A community forum was held Wednesday as part of a series of engagement events. Organization leaders gathered input from Tampa Bay area residents. 

“We feel like we’ve mastered the hands on education for early childhood, but when they age out of Great Explorations, which is around eight to 10 years old, ‘what do they do next?’,” the museum’s CEO Angeline Howell explained to the Catalyst. “‘Where is there a place in our community that offers hands-on learning for our older kids?’” 

The Great Explorations Children’s Museum, at 1925 4th Street N., features a variety of exhibits that focus on creativity, play and discovery. Additionally, the organization operates the Early Explorations Preschool. 

She said that the proposed project could help educate young people about STEAM-related (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) topics. These include life, physical, natural and applied sciences. 

More importantly, the effort could help children find something that “intrigues them.” They could later explore these passions in high school, college and as a career. 

Howell hopes to reimagine classic experiences at the planned center. For example, she reminisced about Great Explorations’ Touch Tunnel exhibit, which was focused on sensory education. At the proposed complex, children could learn about sensory science. 

Youth with Great Explorations Children’s Museum’s mascot, Morris. Photo provided.

“I think being able to bring some of the nostalgia of what we have had at Great Explorations and what people remember could bring everything forward,” Howell said. “It would tie it all together.” 

The project is in its infancy and ideas are still being developed. “We want to make sure that this is something the community wants,” she added. 

Great Explorations Children’s Museum board member Donna Cothron, who previously was an engineer, envisions the Discovery Center as a place where community partners can have an impact. 

The hub could host traveling exhibits that educate young people about history and science. Local professionals could participate in presentations on the campus, she explained. 

Additionally, children and teenagers could read about technology pioneers such as George Washington Carver and Thomas Edison at a dedicated library on the property. 

Cothron believes that the center will provide an “outlet” for creative and science-minded youth. 

“In 20 years, these young people will be leading our community,” she said. “We want to make sure that they can do it.” 

Cothron explained that simple experiments such as building a Co2 rocket or car can give students a “thrill” and encourage them to “take the next step.” The Discovery Center can also inspire girls to explore science. 

“There is still a stigma of being a woman in engineering,” she said. “It could give children who never thought about careers in a different way an opportunity to experience something meaningful.” 

Cothron added that the project can foster family bonding. 

Children and their parents could watch films together during community movie nights, she said. They could also learn more about the benefits of artificial intelligence and how to utilize it ethically and efficiently.

The Great Explorations Children’s Museum features a variety of exhibits that focus on creativity, play and discovery. Photo: Visit Tampa Bay

Pinellas County resident Bobby Colon is a father. He attended the Wednesday community forum. 

Colon explained that his children enjoy watching YouTube videos of science experiments. The Discovery Center could help teach them “the science behind” these activities. 

He hopes the Great Explorations team includes a splash pad and coffee shop for parents if the project moves forward.

Colon believes that STEAM education is essential. 

“Kids may not necessarily understand how important those things are and how interconnected they are,” he said. “So, I think it’s great to give them a place to learn that.” 

Engagement events are essential in the planning process, Colon argued.  

“We can’t say that our community is missing something if we don’t express the things that we are looking for,” he explained. “This is a great chance to provide that open feedback in an open forum to share ideas, and hopefully then this becomes something that everybody is asking for.”  

Additional community gatherings are scheduled for July 15 (4 to 5 p.m.), July 16 (8 to 9 a.m. and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) and July 22 (8 to 9 a.m.) at the Bay Point Elementary School campus (5800 22nd Street S.). To register, visit this link. 

Great Explorations Children’s Museum website