The Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale had quite the summer. For one, the museum was selected as one of just four in the nation to receive this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Second, that meant a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
“This reaffirms that MODS is our community’s hub for culture, communication and now more than ever it’s important to have that scientific beacon of knowledge, if you will,” said Joe Cox, museum CEO and president.
When he found out the museum was one of four in the nation selected this year, he said he had a “grin a mile wide.” MODS was honored alongside the Center of Science and Industry in Ohio, Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum in Wyoming, and the Riverside Art Museum in California. Four libraries were also selected for the award. The medal has been awarded to museums and libraries each year since 1994, recognizing the institutions’ community impact.
In July, Cox was joined by deputy director Meredith Feder and Broward County Cultural Division director Phillip Dunlap to accept the award from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in the storied East Room.
“When a child falls in love with learning, a world of possibilities opens before her. And that is the gift that all of you give every day,” Biden told the honorees.
As a museum director brimming with curiosity and an eagerness to learn, Cox said besides meeting Biden, a highlight was being able to explore the White House as a guest.
“I was wandering around looking at everything and one of the Institute of Museum and Library Services staff members had to come and find me and tell me to get in line,” he laughed.
Cox shared that MODS recently opened a 5,000-square-foot permanent exhibit called The Discovery Spot, an immersive gallery for children to get up close with iconic Florida experiences such as the Everglades, the ocean, and wandering a citrus grove. The museum also partnered with the Community Foundation of Broward to create the Hub for Resilience Education to address environmental concerns plaguing the Sunshine State. Finally, MODS was also one of 15 museums selected to join the LEGO Learning Through Play network, so children and big kids alike should be on the lookout for the opening date of the major LEGO exhibit.
Originally hailing from England, Cox made his way to the United States and served in top roles at the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples. In 2018, he took over the helm of MODS and has incorporated inclusivity and diversity measures into the museum, including the launch of an inclusivity task force as well as introducing the annual Pride Family Celebration each June.
“I think what’s been wonderful about the work that we’ve done is we’re seeing an increase in visitation from LGBTQ mums, dads, kids and families at events all throughout the year, not just at those [Pride] days,” he said. “We want to make sure that anyone who works here, comes here, feels comfortable, and so we work really hard to do that year in, day in and day out.”