Miami Science Museum (MSM) has received US$10m (£6.5m, EUR7.8m) challenge grant from the Knight Foundation towards its new building in downtown Miami, US.

The funding will be used to help promote science education but will have be matched with an additional US$20m (£12.9m, EUR15.6m) in a bid to encourage further community backing.

It is hoped that the Knight Foundation's contribution will engage local residents in exploring science, technology and the environment, along with thousands of Greater Miami students.

The gift takes MSM further towards its fundraising aim of US$100m (£64.6m, EUR78.1m) for the new Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, which is to open in early 2015.

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the 250,000sq ft (23,226sq m) complex will be structured around a landscaped indoor and outdoor "living core of terrestrial and aquatic spaces".

A groundbreaking ceremony is due to mark the start of construction work next month, with a 600,000gal (2.3 million l) aquarium; a full-dome 3D planetarium; hands-on exhibits planned.

Knight Foundation chief executive officer Alberto Ibargüen said: "Our gift to the science museum, equal in size to an earlier gift to the art museum that will stand by its side, is a recognition of the importance of science education and of the museum's leadership.

"Knight's challenge grant is intended to galvanize support and accelerate the exciting community transformation at Museum Park."

Details: www.miamisci.org

Image: Miami Science Museum