TAMPA, Fla. — MOSI, Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry, is unveiling a multi-million-dollar plan to make the Bay Area a national destination for STEM education.
In 2025, MOSI will transform its outdated and vacant IMAX theater into the country's second-largest digital theater and planetarium.
The new planetarium will seat roughly 300 people, more than six times the capacity of the museum's current planetarium.
The screen coverage is a quarter acre, taking viewers into a 360-degree, high-definition, immersive experience.
MOSI President and CEO John Smith said, "It's not just outer space, it's underwater, it's visiting the ancient Mayans, it's a laser music show with Taylor Swift. You name it, and we can do it there."
The plan is in line with MOSI's mission of engaging curious young minds.
Smith explained, "The more immersive, the more exciting you're able to make it, the more effort they're going to make digging into a career in science, coding, aerospace, you name it!"
It's a timely investment as well. Jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are projected to grow by almost 11 percent by 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That growth is almost four times faster than non-STEM jobs.
Moreover, MOSI leaders say the project reaffirms them as an "anchor institution" in Tampa and is in line with the reinvigoration of that area of the city. Across the street, USF is renovating its stadium, and down the road, Temple Terrace is revitalizing its downtown.
Temple Terrace Mayor Andy Ross said, "This is going to be the next great area of Tampa, Hillsborough, and Temple Terrace. This is going to be the next big area to watch."
MOSI leaders say construction will be complete with the planetarium ready to welcome guests by next summer.
Funds for the multi-million-dollar renovation are still being raised, with more private funding pending, including naming opportunities for the theater.