On November 15, 2021 we announced exciting expansion plans and a new name. With a lead gift of $20 million from Howard and Wendy Cox, the Cox Science Center and Aquarium’s $115 million capital expansion campaign will result in the addition of a three-story, state-of-the-art building to include a larger exhibition gallery,  programming spaces, and one of Florida’s largest aquariums. The existing building will be renovated and converted into a full-scale restaurant and educational programming spaces.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 with a grand opening scheduled in late 2026/ early 2027. Please join us to elevate science by supporting this exciting transformation!

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is now the Cox Science Center and Aquarium

Dive into the Master Plan

Your gift will support expanding the Science Center to a 130,000 square-foot hub where 1 million guests and students each year will explore and discover engaging, interactive exhibits and one of the largest aquariums in the state of Florida. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium will remain open through a phased-construction process.

Other features of the new Cox Science Center and Aquarium are: 

• A Digital Arts Studio, which will expand to provide more skill set training such as software programming that aligns with high-demand jobs. An outreach program in partnership with Florida Atlantic University will digitize and nationally distribute the center’s current video programs.
• An indoor/outdoor exhibit area designed for early learners ages 6 and younger.
• Expanded programming in the Dekelboum Planetarium and Observatory.
• An immersive learning lab that will serve as home base for First LEGO League teams and competitions.
• An expanded biology lab that consolidates the center’s preferred provider status to all medical magnet schools in Palm Beach County.
• Expansion of the existing STEM Education Center that houses a state-of-the-art 3D printing program, coding instruction, and the Palm Beach Florida Chess Club.
• Expansion of the GEMS (Girls Excelling in Math and Science) program and other distance learning programs.
• An expansion of the center's educational partnership with the Palm Beach County School District.

Past, Present, Future

How to Support

- Donate any amount to our campaign

- Purchase, renew, or gift an annual membership

- Join our Galileo Society

- Purchase a personalized brick paver or butterfly

- You may also download this form and email it to Melinda at the address below

To learn more about the campaign, including naming opportunities, contact: 

Melinda Grenz, Director of Philanthropy at (561) 370-7723 | Mgrenz@coxsciencecenter.org

Special Thanks to Howard and Wendy Cox

“The Science Center has long served as an iconic educational and cultural resource for visitors of all ages and backgrounds in our community. Wendy and I are committed to helping provide it with the resources it needs to fulfill its mission. Home to the nation’s 10^th largest public school system, Palm Beach County is more than worthy of a top-10 environment outside of the classroom to foster STEM education and knowledge for children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. We hope our gift will inspire contributions to the capital campaign by others in the community and increase awareness of the new Cox Science Center’s offerings and value to the greater South Florida region.”

- Howard Cox

“We are thrilled to continue the progress so many generous and visionary donors and visitors have made to get the Science Center to this pivotal point of growth. The Center has exhibited strong board leadership, staff and friends to enable this confident launch.”

-Wendy Cox

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium Donor Privacy Policy

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium considers the personal information of our donors and members to be proprietary. It is the Center's policy not to provide, sell or share this information to other organizations nor send donor solicitation mailings on behalf of other organizations.

This policy includes all personal information including phone numbers, physical and e-mail addresses and applies to all information collected either via our website or directly from our donors and members.

Four Star Charity for 8 years in a row!

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is proud to be recognized as a four-star charity by Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Charity Navigator works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities.

Charity Navigator rates charities by evaluating two broad areas of financial health - organizational efficiency and organizational capacity. Using a set of financial ratios or performance categories to rate each of these two areas, Charity Navigator issues an overall rating that combines the charity's performance in both areas. Charity Navigator ratings show givers how efficiently they believe a charity will use its support today, and to what extent the charity is growing its programs and services over time.

The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is excited to share that our organization has earned a 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid. Now, you can support our work with trust and confidence by viewing our nonprofit profile, here.