The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) was originally founded in 1962 as the Museum of Science and Natural History in Sulphur Springs, FL. In 1980, the museum relocated to Tampa, FL, adopting its current name two years later. Over the years, MOSI has expanded its exhibits to include outdoor attractions such as a space-themed mini-golf course, an expansive indoor ropes course, the Saunders Planetarium, and an IMAX Dome theater. “Today,” MOSI’s website states, “our mission is to be the nexus of science, technology, and innovation in the Tampa Bay region—where conversations flourish, learning thrives, knowledge is shared, and new ideas are celebrated.”

Arguably, the key to having a successful science center is one that focuses on thrilling children—something MOSI has excelled at. In 2005, it became the largest children’s science center in the nation, famous for its engaging exhibits, hands-on experiences, and broad community outreach program. “MOSI is both a partner and a resource for local teachers and schools,” the website continues. “MOSI supports all teachers with free memberships, teacher trainings, and a wide selection of educational programming for the classroom. MOSI regularly supports school initiatives with help from our sponsors, with free events like Science Olympics, Water Days Fest, and more.”

To support educators and keep children engaged, MOSI constantly introduces new exhibits that align with the demands and curiosity of today’s world. This is why MOSI opened a new permanent exhibit called the Drone Zone—a subject that perfectly captures the needs of today’s emerging future scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. At the Drone Zone, guests can learn all about the world of drones. But what MOSI’s Director of Education, Janet White, says has been the most impactful aspect of the exhibit is what is called Flight Club Drone Zone, where guests get a chance to fly a drone through a net-enclosed obstacle course.

The drone obstacle course is open four times a day for approximately 30 minutes at a time. During this time, guests stand outside the netted area while an instructor stands inside. The instructor shows the guests how to operate the drone’s controller and guides them through the obstacle course. The AVIALOGIC drones are lightweight micro drones that are robust enough to survive hard landings and easy to use. Each guest is given a minute or two to try flying the drone—enough time to get a feel for it while still making time for everyone to have a turn.

Janet says it’s thrilling to see how a kid’s face lights up when they experience Flight Club Drone Zone. She explained that when kids get the opportunity to experiment with drones, they’re doing far more than just playing around and having fun. “They’re doing critical thinking because they’re having to figure out how to get the drone through the hoops, and they’re problem-solving,” she said. “They’re using those skills that they can use in everyday life.” She went on to say that the exhibit is just one way that MOSI is bringing the world of drones to life for their guests.

The Drone Zone is included in the cost of admission to the museum, but there are additional programs available too. For example, MOSI will be offering camps, continuing the museum’s commitment to community outreach, where children will have the opportunity to build drones and learn how to code them. “At MOSI, I think it’s our job to make sure that we are introducing and staying relevant to what’s happening in the world,” Janet said. “I think the number one goal is that drones are becoming an everyday part of our life. So we want our guests, especially the children, to experience what it’s like to fly the drones, and maybe it’ll capture their interest, and spark curiosity, and it’s something that they can do career-wise later on with drones.”

MOSI continues to inspire and engage future innovators through its cutting-edge exhibits and hands-on learning opportunities. By offering experiences like the Drone Zone, MOSI not only sparks curiosity but also equips children with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With its ongoing commitment to education and community outreach, the museum ensures that the next generation of scientists, engineers, and thinkers are ready to take flight—literally and figuratively—into the future.

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