Miami Science Museum aims to make a difference in people’s lives by inspiring them to appreciate the impact that science and technology can have on every facet of our world. For over 60 years, Miami Science Museum’s award-winning educational programs, family-focused exhibits, historic planetarium, and rehabilitative Wildlife Center and Clinic have enriched locals and tourists alike. In 2014, the legacy continues with the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, a new world-class, state-of-the-art facility designed by Grimshaw Architects in the heart of downtown Miami. Miami Science Museum is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Miami Science Museum’s Galaxy Gala & Big Bang Events Were an “Out of This World” Experience

The annual events drew a huge crowd in support of this week’s museum groundbreaking

More than 800 of Miami’s science-savvy socialites gathered in support of the Miami Science Museum’s annual Galaxy Gala & Big Bang events on Saturday, February 18th, to kickoff a weeklong celebration of groundbreaking festivities for the new waterfront museum project. The museum’s signature events, held at the JW Marriott Marquis & Hotel Beaux Arts in Downtown Miami, featured galactic-themed décor, a seated three-course dinner, live music, dancing, performance artists and a laser entertainment experience—all to benefit the new Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

"The 10th Anniversary of the Gala represents a great milestone in the Miami Science Museum's history as we prepare to break ground on our world class facility," says Gillian Thomas, Miami Science Museum President & CEO. "This is a time to celebrate the new museum and the benefits it will bring to our children and community for years to come."

Chaired by Nancy & Jonathan Batchelor and Nicole & Edgar Lozano, this year’s Gala honored important community leaders including: David Lawrence who received the Vanguard Award; Walter Revell who received the Miami Science Museum Award; and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who was presented with the Visionary Award. This is also the first time the Big Bang, a high-energy dance party designed to integrate young professionals into the event, merged with the Museum’s Galaxy Gala, which is celebrating its 10th year. The 10th Anniversary Honorary Chair was the Batchelor Foundation and the Philanthropic Chairs were Trish and Dan Bell. The Big Bang was chaired by Izzy Havenick.

Evening highlights included emcee Natalie Allen from CNN, live entertainment by Soul Survivors & DJ Mark Leventhal, a silent auction, live animal interactions, and an open bar compliments of Bacardi. Major event sponsors were Suffolk Construction Company, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Magic City Casino, Saks 5th Avenue, Southern Wine & Spirits and Azucar Bakery.

With this Friday’s scheduled Groundbreaking Ceremony fast approaching, right now all eyes are on the downtown waterfront corridor, soon to become Museum Park and the new home of The Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science.

Real estate expert and Gala Co-Chair Nancy Batchelor is excited about the impact the new Miami Science Museum will have on the downtown community. "The new science museum is the cornerstone of Miami's downtown renaissance,” says Batchelor. “It is central to the efforts to strengthen greater Miami's momentum as an emerging global capital."

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the new Patricia & Phillip Frost Museum of Science takes place this Friday, February 24th at Bicentennial Park on the new Museum grounds (1075 Biscayne Boulevard). The ceremony begins at 10:30am.

Miami Science Museum’s 10th Annual Galaxy Gala will kickoff the 2012 Museum Groundbreaking with a “Big Bang”

Signature Gala Events will Celebrate the Coming of the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and Culminate with the New Museum’s Groundbreaking Event the Following Week

The Miami Science Museum has announced that their groundbreaking for the new $275 million museum waterfront project will be taking place on Friday, February 24th 2012, as part of a weeklong celebration of festivities beginning with their annual Galaxy Gala and Big Bang events on Saturday, February 18, 2012. Originally founded in 2003 by Board Chairs Trish & Dan Bell, the Galaxy Gala will shine the spotlight on the 60+ year mission of the Miami Science Museum and its future as the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and culminate in the Big Bang after party hosted by the museum’s next generation of leaders, the Young Patrons.

Designed by internationally renowned Grimshaw Architects, the 250,000 square-foot Miami Science Museum complex is intended to act as a demonstration of ecological and sustainability principles, harnessing energy from water, sun, wind and museum visitor energy to power exhibits and conserve resources. The museum is structured around a lushly landscaped indoor and outdoor “living core” of terrestrial and aquatic spaces, featuring a 600,000 gallon aquarium facility, a full dome 3-D planetarium, hands-on exhibits, never-before-seen technology and two additional wings of exhibition space, classrooms and cafes.

The new Miami Science Museum will be an anchor of the 29-acre Museum Park overlooking Biscayne Bay. Museum Park is Miami's urban redesign vision for the area now known as Bicentennial Park. This vital park, a catalyst for the transformation of the downtown district, is central to the efforts to strengthen greater Miami's momentum as an emerging global capital. A vibrant mix of green space and cultural offerings, in addition to the landmark new facilities for Miami Science Museum, the park will also be the future home of the Miami Art Museum.

Chaired by Nancy & Jonathan Batchelor and Nicole & Edgar Lozano, this year’s event will feature galactic-themed décor, live music, dancing, performance artists and a laser entertainment experience. Arrivals for the Galaxy Gala will begin at 6:30pm along with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a seated dinner. The Gala will also honor important community leaders that include: David Lawrence who will receive the Vanguard Award; Walter Revell who will receive the Miami Science Museum Award; and, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation who will be presented with the Visionary Award. At 10pm the Gala will transform into the Big Bang, a high-energy dance party designed to integrate young professionals into the event. The Big Bang is chaired by Izzy Havenick.

The 10th Annual Galaxy Gala & Big Bang event takes place on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami & Hotel Beaux Arts. (345 Avenue of the Americas, Miami, FL 33131). Arrivals for the Gala begin at 6:30pm. The Big Bang runs from 10pm-2am. Admission to the Galaxy Gala is by invitation only. Tickets for the Big Bang will be available separately for sale after the holidays.