277 - Taking mosquito control education to the next level: Building an education center and science museum

Abstract: Taking an idea of building a center that would educate the general public on disease vectors and the diseases that these vectors carry and building it.
The education center focuses on the number one killer worldwide, mosquitoes, but also addresses other vectors, diseases, control methods, technology, entomology and history. The center was planned and developed to be an immersive experience based on how theme parks tell stories. The use of interactive displays, built for all ages, a classroom for lectures and laboratory demonstrations and a working insectary makes the 6,000 square foot center fun and engaging. Building this center took a great amount or research and planning and some very talented people to be able to develop and build these immersive displays, and incorporate them into a cohesive storyline. The construction of the project was started in February 2020 just before the covid lockdowns, adding to the difficulty of designing and building the center. A planed one year build time turned into four years with a final opening in the spring of 2024. A review of the development of the idea, of a next generation education experience, and the design of the center and it's displays, including the challenges of building a one-of-a-kind center are explored and explained and a description of the displays are presented.