Related Links: Staff & Board | Awards | 2009 Year in Review | 2006 Strategic Plan

 

MISSION

WonderLab is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages, especially children, to experience the wonder and excitement of science through hands-on exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster lifelong learning

Member, Alliance of Bloomington Museums More...

Member, Association of Science-Technology Centers More...

IN THE NEWS

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May 21, 2010	Celebrate Indiana Limestone Heritage During Month of June
Nov 23, 2009	NWF Certifies WonderLab Museum Garden as Wildlife Habitat
Nov 20, 2008	WonderLab Receives Statewide Achievement Award
Aug 25, 2008	Magazine Names WonderLab a Top 25 Science Museum
AUDIO	WFIU "Community Minute" Profile (Audio)
VIDEO	Smithville "Local Videos" (Three videos. Scroll through "Featured Videos")

AWARDS

Internship/Sponsor Award 2010
Awarded by: College Internship Program, Bloomington Center

Be More Knowledgeable Award, 2010 (for the Volunteer Team)
Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

Be More People's Choice Award, 2010 (for the Volunteer Team)
Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network

Certified Wildlife Habitat (WonderGarden in 2009)
Certified by: National Wildlife Federation

Bloomington INBloom Curb Appeal Contest 2009 (for WonderGarden)
Awarded by: Bloomington Board of Realtors

"Hidden Treasure"
Awarded by: Indy's Child (March 2009 issue)

Best Place to Volunteer, 2009
Awarded by: Indiana Daily Student

Indiana Achievement Award (category: Innovation), 2008
Awarded by: Sycamore Foundation

Top 25 Science Center in the United States, 2008
Ranked #17 by: Parents Magazine (September issue)

FUSE Business Innovation Award: Social Entrepreneur of the Year, 2007
Awarded by: South Central Small Business Development Center and inVenture

Outstanding Community Supporter, 2007
Awarded by: Girls Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc.

Outstanding Partner in Education, 2007
Awarded by: Phi Delta Kappa, IU/Alpha Chapter

Quality of Life Award, 2005 (for WonderGarden)
Awarded by: Downtown Bloomington Commission

"City's Best" Museum, 2004
Awarded by: AOL Cityguide

Public Service Award, 2003
Awarded by: Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility

Community Enhancement Award, 2003
Awarded by: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce

Attraction of the Year, 2003
Awarded by: Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau

Best Place to Find Unusual Gifts, 2003
Awarded by: Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau

Best Place to Take Kids, 2003
Voted as Herald-Times Readers Choice

Schreck Community Award, 2003
Awarded by: Indiana University, Division of Student Affairs

Organization of the Year, 2000
Awarded by: Commission for Bloomington Downtown

Certificate of Recognition, 1998
Awarded by: South Central Association for the Education of Young Children

Best Special Event: WonderLab Museum for a Day, 1997
Awarded by: Commission for Bloomington Downtown

 

HISTORY

WonderLab was the inspiration of Debra Kent, a Bloomington journalist and mother, who gathered a small group of like-minded individuals in late 1994 to talk about creating a hands-on science museum in Bloomington. The following year WonderLab was incorporated under the laws of Indiana, obtained 501(c)(3) non-profit status and began operation as a traveling outreach program run by dedicated volunteers.

On January 10, 1998, WonderLab opened a small, interim museum on the north side of the Bloomington courthouse square. At the same time, fundraising began to build a permanent museum on the present site, which the city of Bloomington had donated the previous year for the purpose.

The current award-winning museum opened to the public on March 29, 2003. It remains a grassroots organization supported by hundreds of volunteers, staffed by many individuals who nurtured it from its beginnings and treasured as a valuable asset by the community.



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