On Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, the Cox Science Center & Aquarium will host its highly anticipated annual Smarty Party, this year exploring “The Science of Sleep.” The evening at the Kravis Center will feature a fireside chat between the 2017 Nobel Prize for Medicine recipient, Dr. Michael Young, and two-time Emmy-winning journalist Deborah Norville.
At the event, hosted by returning co-chairs Amanda Cummings, Victoria Hagan, Deborah Norville and Laing Rogers, Young will speak on his groundbreaking work on circadian rhythms, as well as his current research on the profound impact sleep and meal timing have on longevity.
“Recent studies have underscored the importance of both the quantity and quality of sleep and its impact on chronic disease and longevity,” Norville said. “In his laboratory, Dr. Young’s current research has shown a beneficial impact on longevity, which he will share. This event gives all of us a front seat to important discoveries while raising important funds to help spark curiosity for the next generation of STEM leaders.”
Norville, who made television history as the longest-running female anchor on American TV during her 30-plus years with “Inside Edition,” has also held positions at NBC and CBS. She has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and was recently announced as the host of “The Perfect Line,” a new game show premiering on broadcast television and the Game Show Network.
The Cox Science Center & Aquarium’s mission is to open every mind to science. It features more than 80 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium and an outdoor science trail. The current traveling exhibit, Top Secret: License to Spy, will be on display through April 26.
In 2021, the center launched a transformative capital expansion campaign. Projected for a 2027 opening, the expansion will soon allow the facility to grow its attendance to serve nearly 1 million guests annually in new and renovated spaces, including a new Hall of Science visible from I-95, new outdoor spaces and one of Florida’s largest indoor aquariums. The current indoor/outdoor campus is expected to double in size from 50,000 square feet to more than 100,000 square feet, with the aquarium growing from 10,000 gallons to 160,000 gallons.
For more information about the Smarty Party 2026, expansion campaign or event sponsorship opportunities, contact Molly Miller at [email protected] or call (561) 370-7723.
