The Museum of Science and Industry launched an ambitious new program, Museums for All, a new initiative seeking to reach underprivileged families that are low on the socioeconomic scale, and making science truly accessible to anyone. Sticking true to its core ideology, MOSI keeps up with its tradition of being a not-for-profit, community-based organization and educational resource for anyone. The initiative seeks to broaden accessibility to low-income families across Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Charging only a $3 dollar admission fee, featured exhibits will be free year-round for anyone showing an Electronic Benefit Transfer card accompanied with a photo I.D.

  The initiative is a cooperative effort between the Association of Children’s Museums and the Institution for Museum and Library Services. Museums for All encourages all families, regardless of their backgrounds, to “visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits,” according to a MOSI press release.

  Typically, a low-income family may only be able to afford to go to a park, or watch T.V. together at home. Families are now able to enjoy the high quality museum experience and great learning resource that MOSI offers for a very small admission fee. The zip code where you were raised and how much money you make should never dictate your access to knowledge or hinder your learning experience.

  MOSI’s goal is to make science accessible and real for anyone, regardless of one’s economic standing.

  “The Museums for All initiative represents a long stride toward our goal of reaching more children and parents, especially those living in poverty, with the valuable learning resources of museums,” said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. “The disparity of access to learning resources between children of affluence and those in poverty has created a knowledge gap with serious implications for our nation’s economic prosperity.” The new initiative seeks to close that gap and end the learning crisis increasingly prevalent in this country.

  Sitting on over 74 acres and over 300,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the Southeastern United States, and home to the only IMAX Dome Theatre in Florida. Some of the exhibits featured include Kids In Charge!, the largest children’s science center in the nation, and several Idea Zone workshops that are designed for people of all ages to learn, explore and have fun. Other featured exhibits include Disasterville and 3D printing the future: the exhibition.

  MOSI is the first museum in Florida to take part in the program.