Douglas Roberts, President & CEO, Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science

In an interview with Invest:, Dr. Douglas Roberts, president and CEO of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science), discussed the museum’s recent achievements, its educational initiatives, new exhibits and the role of technology. He also highlighted plans for future innovations.

What have been the museum’s achievements over the last year?

One of our key achievements this past year has been strengthening and expanding our educational programs, which lie at the core of our mission. A great museum offers a dynamic, interactive experience where visitors learn while having fun — a balance that’s central to everything we do. In the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve built on our commitment to education as a leading educational resource for Miami-Dade County. A standout accomplishment is the launch of our Family Fun Festival, a free community science festival on our outdoor Knight Plaza that welcomed over 6,000 residents to engage with science in hands-on, accessible ways. We’ve also deepened our relationship with Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) through new initiatives like professional development programs, expanded early childhood offerings, and the launch of our inaugural STEM Challenge, which gives students the chance to win college scholarships. This past year, we’ve hosted more field trips than ever before and served record numbers in our award-winning camp programs — so many that space has been our only limitation. Our Learning Labs have continued to elevate the field trip experience by tying exhibit-based topics to real-world contexts, making the lessons stick and fostering lifelong learning. At Frost Science, these initiatives aren’t just events or programs; they’re the experiences that spark curiosity and foster a love for science that our visitors carry with them well beyond our doors.

What new exhibits or programs have you introduced to enhance visitor engagement?

In addition to hosting two special exhibitions each year, we’ve launched several new exhibits and initiatives over the past 18 months that have significantly enhanced visitor engagement. A highlight is The Dig, our newest permanent exhibition focused on paleontology. Dinosaurs have an undeniable allure for children and adults alike, and this exhibit uses that fascination to make science approachable and engaging. The Dig invites guests into the world of paleontology in a fun and interactive way, complemented by our new PaleoLab—a working laboratory where visitors can watch paleontologists carefully extract fossils from rock and soil. The lab’s design allows for viewing from multiple angles, immersing guests in the meticulous, fascinating process of fossil discovery.

We’ve also deepened our commitment to marine conservation with the establishment of the National Coral Reef Conservancy at Frost Science, also known as ReeFLorida, in August 2022. ReeFLorida, funded by NOAA, serves as an interdisciplinary marine science hub dedicated to the conservation, restoration, and sustainability of Florida’s Coral Reef. As part of this initiative, we created a Marine Conservation WetLab on Level 5 of the museum where guests can observe real coral conservation in action and speak directly with our scientists about their research. Additionally, we’ve dedicated The Dive level of our Aquarium to showcase Florida’s Coral Reef, educating the public on the vital importance of coral ecosystems, which face significant threats from climate change, pollution, disease, and coastal development. This work is especially meaningful here in South Florida, where the health of our coral reefs is closely tied to the resilience of our environment and economy.

How are you engaging adult audiences with your programs and events?

We’ve been actively enhancing our programs to engage adult audiences in meaningful and exciting ways. One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of is our free LIVE@Frost Science lecture series in the Frost Planetarium, which brings in leading experts to discuss breakthrough scientific research. These free monthly lectures have featured speakers like a researcher from the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, who presented a groundbreaking study that used a gene from algae to control a fruit fly’s movement with light. It was a fascinating talk, highlighting the mapping of the entire fruit fly brain—an incredible leap forward in neuroscience.

Additionally, we launched nightLAB, a 21+ after-hours event series where adults can explore the museum, participate in hands-on experiments, and attend talks on various scientific topics. One memorable event was in partnership with the FIU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, where guests learned to interpret blood spatter patterns — a fun, interactive, and educational experience that embodies our commitment to making science accessible and engaging. 

Our goal is to show that Frost Science is for everyone, not just children. Just watching our massive hammerhead shark swim above through the Oculus lens in our Aquarium is an awe-inspiring experience that captivates visitors of all ages.

How does Frost Science incorporate technology into its exhibits?

At Frost Science, we’re always exploring innovative ways to integrate technology into our exhibits to deepen visitor engagement. For instance, we’re currently collaborating with FIU on an exciting project that involves placing cameras on sharks to monitor their behavior in real-time. Soon, we’ll display this data in our Aquarium, offering guests a unique look at how cutting-edge technology can reveal new insights into marine life. While many people think of snorkeling as their primary connection to the ocean, technology opens countless more opportunities for discovery and understanding.

As an astronomer, I’m especially passionate about our state-of-the-art Frost Planetarium, a high-tech space since its inception that served as one of the original ‘virtual reality’ experiences by bringing the night sky indoors. Today, we carry that tradition forward with a 40-foot by 10-foot LED wall that showcases images from telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. Our knowledgeable staff guide visitors through these stunning visuals, explaining the science behind each image and connecting audiences to the wonders of our universe.

How is Frost Science working to be more inclusive and accessible to all visitors?

Inclusivity and accessibility are top priorities at Frost Science, and our Just for Me program is a great example of this commitment. Designed with neurodivergent visitors in mind, Just for Me offers support to make everyone feel welcome, especially individuals on the autism spectrum. Recently, we were honored to receive recognition from the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University for our efforts in creating a more inclusive environment for visitors with autism.

As part of the program, we’ve developed several resources to enhance comfort and ease during visits. For example, we provide sensory backpacks and a detailed guide that walks visitors through the museum experience — from check-in procedures to staff roles and exhibit highlights. This guide helps reduce anxiety by offering a clear idea of what to expect, which can benefit all visitors, not only those on the spectrum. We also offer designated times with lower lighting and sound levels, creating a sensory-friendly atmosphere that ensures comfort without drawing special attention to anyone’s needs.

Additionally, we’re enhancing accessibility for visitors with visual impairments by introducing tactile exhibits. In our Aquarium, for instance, we have a tactile map of Florida that allows visitors to explore the state’s shape by touch, while triggering audio narrations from researchers on coral conservation. This tactile and auditory experience enables visitors to engage with our exhibits in multiple ways, making Frost Science a welcoming space for all.

What are Frost Science’s top priorities for the next few years, and how do you see the museum’s role in Miami’s ecosystem evolving over the next decade?

As Miami’s only science museum, we carry a unique responsibility to represent and advance science for our entire community. Our top priorities for the coming years focus on expanding our conservation and research initiatives, climate resiliency efforts, education programs, and community engagement projects, making Frost Science a comprehensive resource for everyone — from tech innovators and researchers to scientists and students.

A major goal is to reimagine our Frost Planetarium. Today’s planetariums are highly versatile digital spaces capable of far more than just displaying the night sky. Think of them as something akin to a Star Trek holodeck — a space for visualizing data, exploring new ideas, and crafting immersive stories. I’m in active conversations with artists, researchers, and innovators to transform our Frost Planetarium into a cutting-edge platform for storytelling and discovery, expanding how science is understood and experienced.

We’ve already begun this transformation by installing a large LED wall in the planetarium, showcasing interactive visuals like 3D models of complex subjects, such as the HIV virus. In collaboration with a University of Miami researcher, we even created a visualization that demonstrates how molecules interact — an essential perspective for understanding therapies at the molecular level. Seeing these intricate models on a massive screen, with expert explanations, creates a deeply immersive and impactful experience. 

Over the next decade, we see Frost Science playing a vital role in Miami’s ecosystem as a leader in science education, conservation, and innovation. By expanding our reach and resources, we aim to support a resilient, informed, and inspired community, ready to meet the environmental and scientific challenges of the future.

What are the museum’s plans for future exhibits and innovations?

We’re currently in the process of developing a master plan to guide our growth for the next decade. After seven years at our Downtown Miami location and nearly 4.5 million visitors, it’s time to reassess and refresh. Exhibits naturally wear with use, and science is constantly evolving—what we understood seven years ago is different from what we know today. Part of our plan is to update our exhibits to reflect the latest scientific advances. I’m a strong advocate for incorporating digital elements, as they allow us to keep content fresh and adapt quickly to new discoveries.

Our master plan also includes strengthening ties with Miami’s academic and entrepreneurial communities. We envision Frost Science as a place for experimentation, innovation, and active engagement with new ideas. We aim to inspire young people to see themselves in science, entrepreneurship, and technology, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit through programs that highlight how they can contribute to Miami’s growing innovation ecosystem.