The Austin Children's Museum announced its new name, the Thinkery, on June 4 at the new facility under construction in the Mueller Development.

ACM Executive Director Mike Nellis said officials came up with the new name and symbol as a way to represent the mission of the new museum.

"We love the name because it really reflects what is unique about the institution and our organization moving forward," Nellis said. "It really signals the evolution of the Austin Children's Museum and what we are becoming."

A name for the new building was also announced. The Meredith Learning Lab is named after the Meredith family and the MFI Foundation, of which they are co-founders, which donated $2 million to the project.

"Now is the time for a bigger, better museum, a really robust institution where children and families of Central Texas can learn and grow together," Lynn Meredith said. "Tommie and I and our children have chosen to support this project because of the life-changing impact that it will have on the children and families of Austin. We believe strongly in the future of Austin, and an inspired, well-prepared population of young people is absolutely critical to that future."

The MFI Foundation provides public charity services focusing on health, education and arts.

The museum's current location at 201 Colorado St. in downtown Austin will close Sept. 1, officially becoming the Thinkery. Construction on the new 40,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in July, and officials will focus on moving into the space and constructing exhibits.

Exhibits in the Thinkery are expected to include Currents, which focuses on water; En Mi Familia, an exhibit inspired by the works of Mexican-American artist and writer Carmen Lomas Garza; and an Innovator's Workshop where children will be able to create and experiment with science and technology.

Officials expect to have a grand opening for the new museum Dec. 7 and 8.

For more information, visit https://thinkeryaustin.org.