What's New at MOSI: Tampa's beloved

What's New at MOSI

by Laura Byrne

As Tampa’s beloved science center celebrates more than six decades, the team at MOSI is excited to share new and refurbished exhibits for everyone to experience!

NEW EXHIBIT

WONDERS OF THE WORLD

Toothpick World Artist Stan Munro

The new temporary exhibit, Wonders of the World, features the world’s largest buildings and structures made entirely out of toothpicks and glue by artist Stan Munro, founder of Toothpick World. At a 1:164 scale, it’s the next best thing to seeing the majestic buildings in person to appreciate their vastness. By scanning QR codes at the exhibit, kids can learn how to make their own toothpick structures at home and even connect with Munro. There are also interactive engineering challenges throughout the museum in conjunction with this exhibit. SciLinx Miniature Golf Course: This 9-hole science-themed putt putt course can be found on the lawn where the playground and ropes course are located. This is where MOSI is building a butterfly garden as well. Also planned for the area: a full-service dining area courtesy of Zydeco (from Ybor City), where you can grab a meal or locally brewed craft beer.

Mission Moonbase got a super exciting revamp, extra thrilling as humans plan to head back to the moon. The experience of entering into the exhibit makes you feel as if you really are launching from Earth to a future Moonbase. “You queue up, there’s a countdown on the screen, and every 3-4 minutes the doors just magically open. And you step in and the doors close behind you and you launch yourself to the Moon. You spend about 90 seconds in orbit getting to the Moon where they tell you all of the challenges you are going to face and then once you land, the next set of doors open and you are on the lunar base and get to explore,” MOSI’s CEO John Graydon Smith says.

Drone Zone: You can learn how to fly a drone in this recently added exhibit space near the Idea Zone. Once you have the basics down, you can put your skills to the test and fly the drone through an obstacle course.

MOSI Marketplace: As we wait for the construction of the new Zydeco restaurant, you can get something to eat at MOSI Marketplace, whether it’s a grab and go sandwich or salad, ice cream or even a hot meal from the futuristic hot vending machine!

revamped favorite

Mission Moonbase Revamp

All the new and revamped additions are exciting, but that's not all. “Sometime in 2023, we hope to announce the plans of taking back the former IMAX building and turning it into the largest planetarium in the state of Florida,” Graydon says. “This isn’t the end of it. As Tampa grows, so does MOSI.”