Latest news with #DiscoveryPlace
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vote put on hold for agreement to put Discovery Place museum on Matthews Elementary campus
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Most Matthews leaders were excited to make an agreement official that would put a Discovery Place Kids museum on a school campus, but that decision was deferred until next month. The town is preparing to enter a partnership with Charlotte-based Discovery Place and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Matthews Elementary School is slated to be rebuilt through the 2023 school bond, and the museum – which previously cemented plans to come to town – would go up along with it. But town Commissioner Mark Tofano made a last-minute request Tuesday to defer the vote. He says he has tweaks to request before the agreement is finalized. He also is the board member most personally affected by the project; his home on Trade Street is adjacent to it. The vote is now scheduled for the commissioner meeting on June 9. This will be the last meeting for Town Manager Becky Hawke, who is resigning three days later. Mayor John Higdon emphasized the vote must take place then, so Hawke can see the deal she's been so integral to come to fruition. Hawke said the two-week deferment would impact the project's long-term timeline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Kuwait Times
27-05-2025
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Scientific Center of Kuwait soft launches part of major expansion
Visitors reflect on 25 years of education and play at the Scientific Center By Nebal Snan and KUNA KUWAIT: For many in Kuwait, their first walk through the Scientific Center's Mijbil Almutawa Aquarium is a memory that stays for life. Watching desert owls and spiny-tailed lizards up close, then following sharks and bright shoals of fish through the aquarium's winding tanks — every visit is an exploration of Kuwait's habitat and the marine ecosystems of the Red Sea and South African coasts. When the center first opened its doors in 2000, it not only housed the largest aquarium in the Middle East — it was a cultural landmark. The Discovery Place and IMAX Theater have brought scientific concepts closer to visitors in locally-relevant and engaging ways. The walkways around the center have been a go-to place for family outings, from biking to leisurely strolls. Since then, the Scientific Center has welcomed more than 11 million visitors. It's a place people return to again and again, often across generations. Long-time visitor Khalil Abdullah still remembers the magic of his first behind-the-scenes aquarium tour years ago. 'The sharks have always been the trademark for me. I vividly remember the look of amazement on my younger brother's face. And now, my kids have that same look when they see them.' A new era Now, 25 years later, the Scientific Center is preparing for its most ambitious transformation yet. A major expansion — in the works since at least 2015 — is nearing completion. This week, the center soft-launched part of the project: a new exhibition called World of Science. 'The trial launch of World of Science marks the beginning of more years of surprises as part of a comprehensive vision aimed at developing intellectual capabilities across all age groups and scientific fields,' Msaed Alyaseen, Director General of the Scientific Center, told media on Monday. Designed with all the family in mind, the exhibition explores key scientific fields, including innovation, energy, engineering, and robotics, while also featuring a dedicated play area that introduces children to scientific thinking through hands-on activities. During the soft opening phase, the exhibition is welcoming up to 200 visitors per day through reservations on the center's website. Full public access will begin once the trial period is complete. There's also more to come on the horizon. One major feature of the expansion will be Power of Play, an interactive exhibition created by Finland's Heureka Science Centre that has already drawn over 660,000 visitors abroad. The exhibit features 24 hands-on stations exploring creativity, adventure, and the science behind how and why we play. Conservation milestones The center's growth is also marked by new collaborations. Recently, the center signed a cooperation agreement with The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi, now the largest in the Middle East, to exchange expertise in marine conservation and environmental education. Working closely with Kuwait's Environment Public Authority (EPA), the Scientific Center has rehabilitated and released injured turtles, birds of prey, and other wildlife. The center's teams have even helped rescue a whale shark in Kuwaiti waters. It has also successfully bred endangered African penguins, a species whose global population has fallen to around 14,000 breeding pairs. Sharks Bandar and Bibi, along with the nurse shark Yagoub, have been part of The Scientific Center since its very first day. In 2022, Bibi, estimated to be over 20 years old, gave birth to two pups, Bader and Badriya. Sand tiger sharks have a low natural reproductive rate, with females only producing up to two pups every two or three years. Globally, these sharks are listed as a vulnerable species. 'Captive breeding programs for the critically endangered sand tiger sharks offer immense conservation benefits. A carefully managed release programs could have the potential to augment depleted wild stocks,' the center said on its website. Speaking people's language Over the years, the people behind the scenes have grown too. Mohammad Al-Fares, who first volunteered at the center as a teenager in 2005, now leads major initiatives — and recently watched his own son become a volunteer. 'Working here is more than a job,' he said. 'It's a mission. Every day I get to help make science exciting and meaningful for people of all ages. Being part of an organization that educates, inspires, and brings families together is something I truly cherish.' As the Scientific Center evolves, so do the expectations of its audience. Today's young visitors are drawn to interactive, immersive experiences — from VR and AR to tactile learning. A global survey by the University of Glasgow's Museums in the Metaverse project found that 79 percent of respondents want to use digital tools to explore museum collections. 'The best museums let you touch, play, and be part of the story,' said visitor Lena Anand. 'When technology is part of the experience, it feels alive — not just something you're reading about.' The new World of Science exhibition reflects the center's responsiveness. Its hands-on displays make complex scientific ideas accessible and fun. And it's not the only update — from interactive games along the boardwalk to feeding fish and turtles in the aquarium, the center has been quietly transforming how visitors connect with science. 'Every visit feels exciting,' said Abdullah. 'We're really looking forward to exploring the new exhibits.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews' future Discovery Place museum could be part of rebuilt elementary school
MATTHEWS, N.C (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Discovery Place Kids museum planned for Matthews could be placed in the most ideal location possible: a school campus. Town leaders revealed Monday night plans to bolster their agreement with Discovery Place, adding the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education to the mix. It would lead to the new building for Matthews Elementary School being built on the back of its current downtown property, and the museum being part of the site. A replacement for the school is part of the slate on the 2023 $2.5 billion school bonds. Also part of the plans is turning the current school site into the new, larger Stumptown Park. May is a month for big-ticket events around Charlotte In February, Matthews entered a partnership with Discovery Place, the Charlotte-based museum with four locations in the area. The new Matthews site was unknown to the public at that point, but Town Manager Becky Hawke told commissioners that it would be 'reflective of Matthews' instead of a carbon copy of another museum. Matthews leaders expressed their excitement for the potential co-location with the school. They had to stay quiet on the latest news until the meeting. 'I'm very excited about this,' said Commissioner Renee Garner. 'It has been a long time coming. I kept my excitement tampered.' There also will be a land-swap if the property arrangement is approved. In return for the school property being turned into a park, a portion of a 27-acre town-owned property at the intersection of McKee and Pleasant Plain roads will be dealt to CMS for a future relief school. But Mayor John Higdon wants residents of nearby Windsor Run not to worry. 'I don't believe CMS has any intention of building relief school any time soon,' he said. 'It will be a park for many, many years.' Garner pushed for public comment to be part of the process before the deal is finalized. The CMS board also will take action on it. 'If there is a general info session, it's something I'd be happy for us to get scheduled, and invite folks to come and talk about it, and receive anything they would have to say,' Hawke said. In winter 2024, the town purchased three parcels along Trade Street to plan for the replacement of Matthews Elementary. Commissioner Mark Tofano lives in the middle of those site, and asked about the future of the current Stumptown Park property. 'It's ultimately up to this board,' said Hawke. 'There have been conversations on the farmers market needing a new home. It's part of the envisioning process this board is responsible for determining.' She said construction for the combined school and museum would begin between 2026 and 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Discovery CEO Hylton Kallner on the future of spending
There is a declining brand loyalty and a shift towards value as consumers seek brands that deliver quality at competitive prices rather than paying premium prices for established names. CEO Discovery Bank and Discovery South Africa, Hylton Kallner talks about the SpendTrend 2025 report findings (Image supplied) This is one of the predictions for the SpendTrends for 2025. The report also found that AI will begin to inform purchasing decisions. Already AI subscriptions have increased as consumers directly access these tools. Taking a deeper dive into these and other trends at the recent report launch at Discovery Place in Sandton, CEO Discovery Bank and Discovery South Africa, Hylton Kallner emphasises three key insights driving these trends: - How much people spend? - What people spend? - How people spend? Drivers Kallner highlighted the drivers of spending behaviour in 2024: - Sustained high interest rates - Shift to digital real-time payment - Changing safety and security risks - Increased return to office mandates - Broader consumption choices of digital services - Sustained high interest rates High interest rates are straining finances, and in the last year, many consumers accessed their retirement savings to make ends meet. Seventy percent (70%) of spend is on groceries, retail, travel, eating out and fuel, but this varies in the different South African cities. 'While groceries is the highest across all cities, in Johannesburg retail and eating out is also high, while in Cape Town travel is high,' says Kallner. A demand for convenience Busy lifestyles have led to a demand for convenience, showing growth in the spend on eating out and takeout, with spend on food overall exceeding inflation. Groceries are seeing smaller baskets but more frequent shopping. Cape Town spend is the most on groceries out of the South African cities surveyed, while for Johannesburg, eating out is the biggest spend. However, the differentiator between eating out and grocery spend is very small. The shift to convenience is across all age groups with an increase in online food spend with R1 out of every R5 spent is on convenience is spent online. 'Interesting this shift is not at the expense of healthy shopping. However, while healthy food comprise 40% of a basket at the start of the week, this falls to 29% by the weekend,' expands Kallner. Online shop still healthier than physical store shopping. Travel taper off Travel growth has tapered off with an average spend stabilising around post-pandemic levels. The most expensive route is George to Johannesburg. The flights most booked are on Monday and Sunday, which reflects the semigration. Later in the evenings (7 pm) are the cheapest Johannesburg to Cape Town flights, with Friday afternoon most expensive to Cape Town from Johannesburg. Johannesburg to Paris is the most expensive route internationally. International visitors to South Africa love Cape Town with half of visitors flying into Cape Town. The top five countries' visitors are the US, UK, UAE, Germany and Canada. - Shift to digital real-time payment The reliance on and usage of cash have declined and have been replaced by real-time digital payments. 'While cash has not disappeared, the rate of the use of digital payments has been rapid. 'Since PaySnap launched in 2023, it has seen 136 million transactions at a value of R100bn,' says Kallner. - Changing safety and security risks Convenience and security are driving the digital wallet and virtual card adoption, with 60% of Discovery Bank clients saying they are more worried about banking security than a year ago. - Increased return to office mandates Fuel spend has increased as motorists heeded the back-to-the-office call. Sixty percent (60%) of Discovery Bank clients are back in the office five days a week. 'Discovery Bank clients are spending 35 hours a month in their car doing an average of 1,100 km in a month,' adds Kallner. - Broader consumption choices of digital services Omni-channel shopping is still growing, with spend on international platforms increasing significantly. This trend is set to continue. Ninety-five 95) percent of South Africans buy off local platforms, and 77% buy from overseas platforms. South African consumers are also adopting a variety of new streaming services, including AI. 'Last year saw the rapid emergence of AI subscriptions and an accelerated rate of adoption as these services are directly accessed by consumers,' says Kallner.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matthews enters partnership to bring Discovery Place museum to town
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Town of Matthews approved a partnership with Discovery Place Monday night to officially launch plans to bring a new children's museum to town. Under the newly established development and management agreement, the town will provide building space and the Charlotte-based museum will oversee the upfitting and operation of the Discovery Place Kids. Town Manager Becky Hawke said this will be an investment of between $3.6 million and $4.8 million for Matthews. Maintenance costs would depend on the building's square footage and number of spaces in the parking lot, she said. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Matthews Playhouse 'This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthews, and we couldn't be more excited about this partnership,' said Mayor John Higdon in a statement. 'Discovery Place Kids is renowned for its engaging experiences that are both fun and educational for children and their families. While the museum opening is still a few years away, we are excited to welcome them to Matthews and look forward to the many ways they will enrich our community.' The building space will be funded through the town's Tourism Fund and is expected to be available within the next five years. The exact location has not yet been determined. The town expects to finalize the details in the coming months and will hold public meetings for the location. 'We are thrilled to partner with the Town of Matthews to bring Discovery Place Kids to this vibrant community,' said Catherine Horne, Discovery Place president and CEO. 'This museum will be a hub of imagination, creativity and hands-on learning, designed to inspire young minds and bring families together.' Commissioner Ken McCool described his excitement for the initiative since he often visited Discovery Place in uptown Charlotte as a kid. He made the motion to approve the partnership, which passed unanimously. 'That's the best motion I've ever made,' he said. Discovery Place Kids offers interactive exhibits and hands-on learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning in young children. Others are already located in Huntersville and Rockingham, and the Matthews museum would bring the number of Discovery Place locations to five. The addition of a Matthews location will provide local families with greater access to these high-quality educational opportunities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
