The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science is proud to announce a $5 million gift from Baptist Health South Florida for the newly named Baptist Health People & Science Gallery, in addition to educational health and wellness programming that will be offered in that exhibit space. The Gallery will encompass a 9,000-square-foot space on the main plaza level of the Museum aimed at providing a high-tech and personalized exploration of the benefits of science and technology to our daily lives. It will be located directly below our one-of-a-kind, 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream Tank and will be visible from all levels of the Museum. Through its gift, Baptist Health will support a series of dynamic exhibits in the Baptist Health People & Science Gallery, where students and visitors alike will learn and explore science, technology and health. In addition, the partnership will directly benefit students of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), ensuring that the programming complements their curriculum and offers students a hands-on space for learning about science and wellness. A portion of the gift will be allocated to support transportation expenses for approximately 10,000 M-DCPS students to visit the Museum each year.

The gift was announced at a special press conference at Museum Park’s Knight Plaza, featuring remarks by Trish and Dan Bell, Museum Board of Trustees C0-chairs; Gillian Thomas, Museum President & CEO; George Foyo, Baptist Health South Florida Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer; and Alberto Carvalho, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Superintendent. The event’s special guests were students of M-DCPS’ iPrep Academy, located in downtown Miami close to Museum Park. Following the conference, the students were treated to a healthy cooking demonstration by Baptist Health South Florida Executive Chef Richard Plasencia and Chief Wellness Dietitian Natalie Castro. The duo shared their recipe for a Plantain & Quinoa Salad, representative of the kind of programming in store for the New Museum. Daniel Mannina, the Museum’s Public Programs Assistant Manager – Community Outreach, then presented a visual Fantastic Bodies live science demonstration with student assistance.

“We could not think of a better partner for the creation of a first-of-its-kind gallery that will teach people how to make better choices for a healthy life,” said Gillian Thomas, President and CEO of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. “The Baptist Health People & Science Gallery will leave a lasting impression on all of the visitors to the Museum, providing them with hands-on learning experiences that will help change their way of life for the better. We are grateful to Baptist Health South Florida for its support and hope that other organizations follow their lead in supporting science education.”

“Baptist Health South Florida is proud to partner with the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to help children, families and visitors of all ages learn and explore the world of science and gain a greater understanding of how our bodies work and of the importance of making healthy choices,” said George Foyo, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Baptist Health South Florida. “We know that with the People & Science Gallery, we will be able to provide fun and unique educational experiences that will help improve wellness in our community and beyond.”

“We know the new Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science will greatly complement the science curriculum taught in schools and will offer students a hands-on approach,” said Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. “The Baptist Health People & Science Gallery will be a great place for students to see how science affects their daily lives.”

Baptist Health South Florida partners with The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science from Baptist Health South Florida on Vimeo.