MOBILE, Ala. – In a press conference on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Governor Kay Ivey, along with Commissioner Blankenship, announced that the Exploreum Science Center would be included in the 2024 round of GOMESA funded projects. Of the $30,399,911 in Alabama statewide funding, the Exploreum is set to receive $829,012. These funds will make it possible for the Exploreum to refurbish its primary traveling exhibit gallery next year.

The Exploreum’s traveling exhibit gallery has been an invaluable attraction for the Science Center and the City of Mobile and has served countless visitors of all ages and from all backgrounds. It has hosted more than 60 visiting international and national exhibitions over the past 25 years, and during that time has drawn millions of visitors to the Exploreum and the City of Mobile. School groups and guests from across the Greater Gulf Coast area have visited the Exploreum to tour exhibitions such as Pompei; China: 100 Years; Dinosaurs; Water’s Extreme Journey; The Science of Archimedes; Genghis Khan; and ¡CUBA!, all of which exposed guests to a wide range of STEM subjects including environmental sciences. These traveling exhibits also provide additional educational opportunities including information on conservation, local wildlife awareness, and coastal erosion and preservation.

The GOMESA Grant will enable the Exploreum to make major upgrades to the traveling gallery, which in turn, will ensure the Exploreum stays competitive and remains up-to-date with its educational offerings. The new gallery will also strengthen the delivery of our mission, optimize partnership opportunities, and make the most of the visitor experience.

Construction on the new gallery is set to start in July 2025, and the gallery will open to the public in Spring 2026 with the premier of Galileo.

The new travel gallery is sure to leave a lasting impression on all visitors, and will better accommodate memorable STEM learning opportunities that include Exploreum-led educational programming, demonstrations, and guest lectures to educate and engage visitors of all ages across the greater Gulf Coast region for decades to come.

Photo Courtesy: The Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey