Perot Museum Plans Massive Outdoor Science Expansion with Fire Tornado

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is planning a huge outdoor makeover. The project covers 4 acres and will add lots of new ways to learn about nature and science.

Visitors will be able to walk through a forest and go up into the treetops. There will also be a shaded river area, a paleontology garden, and a pollinator garden.

The museum wants to show the power of nature. So they are adding cool exhibits with strong wind, geysers, a mist maze, and even a lightning and thunder pavilion. One of the main attractions will be a fire tornado.

They are also changing the front entrance and lobby. The new space will have better areas for learning, eating, and events. There will also be more parking for guests.

Drex Owusu, the museum's Chief Learning Officer, said this is an exciting time. He said the new outdoor area will be like a living lab where people can explore nature and science.

Mike Spiewak, the Vice President of Exhibitions, said the museum already does great work with science. Now they want to focus more on nature. He said they want to help people feel curious and amazed by the natural world.

The museum hopes these nature exhibits will inspire kids to become scientists. Careers like meteorologist, wildfire fighter, or pollination expert could be the next big thing.

The whole project is part of an $185 million fundraising campaign called Curiosity Unbound. Groundbreaking is planned for early 2027. The new outdoor areas should open in late 2028.