Lilly is among the new Everglades Theater's many stars.
Credit: Museum of Discovery and Science
A new attraction opening this week at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) aims to transport visitors deep into the Everglades without ever leaving downtown.
Beginning June 18, MODS will unveil the Everglades Theater, a permanent experience that serves as the centerpiece of the museum’s new Build a Better World: The Future Begins with You gallery. The attraction promises cinematic visuals, artificial intelligence and interactive gameplay to immerse guests in one of South Florida’s most important ecosystems.
The star of the experience is Lilly, an AI-powered North American river otter who guides visitors through a series of environmental challenges. Rather than simply watching a presentation, guests become active participants tasked with protecting and improving the Everglades through hands-on decision-making.
The theater launches with five interactive adventures. Visitors can identify invasive species such as Burmese pythons and blue tilapia in Endangered Everglades, plant mangrove seedlings in Mighty Mangroves and explore how light pollution impacts wildlife in Nighttime Magic. Other experiences focus on South Florida’s water management systems and the interconnected habitats that make up the broader Everglades ecosystem.
Gesture-based gaming technology allows participants to see the impact of their choices in real time, equating to an experience that is both science lesson and immersive entertainment.
The project is sponsored by Broward County Cultural Division and is part of a larger initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. Additional features within the new gallery include the Mangrove Mangal Climber, sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, and coral reef aquariums supported by Weston Nissan, Weston Volvo and the Hudson Family Foundation. Future additions are planned when Phase 2 opens later this fall.
