Gala at museum to raise funds for permanent Discovery Room

February 21, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Proceeds from this Friday’s annual “Passport” gala at the Florida Museum of Natural History will help construct a permanent Discovery Room at the museum.

Admission is $100 for the event, which is themed “Back to the Future” and part of a three-year campaign to raise $1 million to create a 2,000-square-foot innovative, permanent Discovery Room where families can engage in hands-on science activities. The museum raised more than $400,000 during the first year of the campaign.

“It is very important to the Florida Museum to create a place for children that fosters critical thinking, collaboration and creativity, and the Discovery Room does that,” said Leslie Ladendorf, museum assistant director of development and membership. “We want to develop a space for families to interact and learn together.”

“The Discovery Room provides a safe, fun and engaging place for families to explore and learn together about the natural world and more intimately connect to the museum’s collections,” said Jaret Daniels, Florida Museum assistant director for exhibits and public programs.

Activities and technologies for the space will be determined during planning and design, with construction scheduled to begin in 2014.

The gala from 7 to 11 p.m. features music by Gosia and Ali and food by Stewart’s Catering. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite outfit from the 1950s through the 1980s and go “Back to the Future.”

For more information visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/passport or to purchase tickets, contact Brittany Snipes, bsnipes@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2086. To become a sponsor, contact Ladendorf, llad@flmnh.ufl.edu or 352-273-2047.