Great Explorations Children’s Museum Programs

Great Explorations Children’s Museum Programs include field trips and birthday parties at Great Explorations Children’s Museum, as well as special events such as Planetarium Monday, Daddy Daughter Dance, Great Connections, and Ignite! A Science Festival. Field trips at Great Explorations span 2 hours and are part of the museum’s hands-on learning approach through a creative curriculum. Birthday parties at Great Explorations Children’s Museum are described as having a very strict no drop-off policy for guests.

• Ages: 2–12 years old
• Schedule: Field trips span 2 hours; special events on select dates and times

Great Explorations Children’s Museum is described as Tampa Bay’s preeminent/foremost children’s museum supporting hands-on learning through a creative curriculum and has been in operation for over 38 years. Great Explorations is the first mid-size children’s museum in the country to achieve AAM accreditation and is the nation’s inaugural children’s museum to establish a licensed preschool. Early Explorations Preschool at Great Explorations is described as an award-winning preschool with low teacher–child ratios, a loving, nurturing environment, hands-on learning, qualified teachers, a high scoring VPK program, and a year-round, member-only program.

Planetarium Monday is scheduled for 06/01/2026 from 11:00 am to 02:00 pm. Daddy Daughter Dance is scheduled for 06/12/2026 from 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm. Great Connections is scheduled for 06/14/2026 from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm and offers museum time with fewer crowds, dimmed overhead lighting, and soft, calming music. Ignite! A Science Festival is scheduled for 08/22/2026 from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm.

The leadership team for Great Explorations includes Angeline Howell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Alan Kahle, Chief Operating Officer (COO); Laurel Ginn, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO); Matthew Hilts, Chief Learning Officer (CLO) / Deputy Director of Education; and Morris The Explorasaurus, Chief Executive Dinosaur (CED). Additional leadership and staff roles include Chel Personius, Director of Educational Programs; Emily Barnes, Assistant Director of Preschool; Kim Stockton, Marketing and PR Manager; Bella Perkins, Development Specialist / Guest Experience Assistant Manager; Maya Perez-Keller, Creative Content Specialist; Alex Ramganesh, Guest Experience Manager; N’shyia Davis, Guest Experience Assistant Manager; Jack Wilson, Development Assistant; Jay Shull, Exhibits Manager; Jakob Laird, Facility Manager; Bianca Cooper, Accounting and HR Manager; Alyson McKenzie, Program Evaluator & Grant Writer; Kelly Rouse, Development & Grant Associate; Sara Riemen, Interactive Education Coordinator; Gina Barker, Brand Ambassador; Jennifer Bell, Director of Development; Alex Sirimarco, Development Assistant; Ayanna Tyler, Membership Coordinator/Administrative Assistant; Ryan Jenny, Environmental Service Aide; Emmet Scales, Creative Marketing Specialist; Lauren Sutton, Social Media & Brand Coordinator; Jasmine Hatcher, Interactive Education Manager; Krista Foster, Critter Specialist & Guest Experience Assistant Manager; and Demi Kennedy, Volunteer Engagement Manager.

Great Explorations’ mission is centered on stimulating learning through creativity, play, and exploration. Great Explorations relies on generous support, sponsorships, and volunteers to operate, and volunteers help meet the mission to stimulate learning through creativity, play, and exploration and create a better world of exploration for families. For birthday parties, Great Explorations has a very strict no drop-off policy, and if a parent cannot stay to supervise their children for the duration of the party, their children will not be able to stay, and the party could be terminated if the host violates the drop-off policy.

Last updated June 1, 2026.