Abstract
Through interviews with staff members, textual analysis, and participant observation, this study examines of how three major science and history museums in South Florida present contemporary environmental issues, including climate change and sea-level rise, to student visitors and the general public. This study will use qualitative research methods to conduct textual exhibit analyses, interviews with administrators and educational frontline staff, and observations of interactions between staff members and the general public. This study found that interviewed staff members at the examined museums all agreed that contemporary environmental issues were of grave importance to the United States and Western society. However, these same staff members did not actively integrate discussions of environmental issues in their exhibits or educational programs. It was concluded that museums would benefit from examining the relationship between their missions and institutional narrative and contemporary environmental issues in order to educate audiences and foster conversations and climate action. Recommendations for multi-scale institutional changes are enclosed.