La Nube STEAM Discovery Center Wins Prestigious Global Children in Museums Award, Elevating El Paso on the World Stage

El Paso, TX (November 26, 2025) — La Nube STEAM Discovery Center has been named the winner of the internationally renowned Hands On! Children in Museums Award 2025, placing El Paso on the global stage as a leader in innovative, child centered museum experiences. This extraordinary honor recognizes La Nube’s commitment to world class STEAM learning, cultural representation, and barrier free discovery for every child across one of the largest binational border regions in the United States.

The award was presented at the European Museum Academy meeting in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Five institutions from around the globe were selected as finalists, representing excellence from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States:

• La Nube STEAM Discovery Center – El Paso, Texas, United States
• Museum of Ethnography – Budapest, Hungary
• Children’s Museum – Singapore
• OliOli Children’s Museum – Dubai, UAE
• Showtown Blackpool – Blackpool, United Kingdom
  
  

La Nube now joins an elite group of United States institutions to receive this recognition. Only two museums in the country have won this award in its history: the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia in 2013 and the Boston Children’s Museum in 2015. La Nube is the next United States museum to earn this honor, placing El Paso alongside two of the most respected children’s museums in the world.

Since opening, La Nube has welcomed more than 350,000 children and families into its 70,000 square foot world class learning environment, offering bilingual exhibits, hands on discovery, and educational experiences rooted in the stories and creativity of this vibrant binational community.

“What we have built here in El Paso is powerful,” said Gina Martinez, CEO of La Nube. “La Nube reflects the dreams of this community and the belief that every child deserves space to discover, create, and innovate. This award affirms that the work happening here will shape the future of children across El Paso for years to come. At La Nube, this is where imagination takes shape, and the most exciting part is knowing that we are only at the beginning. We are just getting started.”

Representing La Nube at the ceremony was Stephanie Otero, Vice President of Operations at the El Paso Community Foundation and one of the museum’s core founding leaders.

“La Nube’s achievement shines a bright light on our region,” said Stephanie Otero. “This award is a testament to the power of collaboration, community vision, and the belief that children deserve world class learning spaces. El Paso now stands as an international example of innovation, creativity, and excellence.”

La Nube distinguishes itself through intentionally designed exhibits, collaborative cross disciplinary development, inclusive bilingual experiences, and accessible environments that reflect a strong commitment to universal design. Its exhibits celebrate the culture and creativity of the El Paso region and highlight stories that resonate across the community. La Nube’s deep partnerships with educators, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and accessibility advocates further position it as a global model for community centered museum practice.

For media interviews or story requests, reach out to Mick Martinez, VP of Marketing and Communication, at mmartinez@la-nube.org or (915) 278-1067.

About the Award

The Children in Museums Award celebrates excellence in creating innovative, accessible, and impactful learning environments for children up to age 14. Established in 2011 by the European Museum Academy and Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums, it is regarded as one of the top honors in the global museum community.

The European Museum Academy (EMA) is a nonprofit foundation established to reflect museums at the international level, to promote research on museography and museology as a high cultural activity, to provide constructive criticism and discussion on exhibitions and museums, and to share museological knowledge among professionals. EMA works closely with Hands On! International Association of Children in Museums for this award. www.europeanmuseumacademy.eu

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center

Located in the vibrant heart of Downtown El Paso, Texas, La Nube is a unique hybrid institution that combines the educational strengths of a science center with the playful, immersive experiences of a children’s museum. La Nube’s mission is to ignite imagination and inspire guests to discover, create, and innovate through STEAM based exhibits. As El Paso’s premier destination for transformative learning, La Nube champions creativity, inclusion, and biculturalism, offering welcoming learning environments for children and families from all backgrounds.