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MISSIONWonderLab is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit 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
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RECENT NEWS 
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AWARDS One of the 50 Reasons to Love Bloomington
Awarded by: Bloom Magazine (August/September 2011)
Best Attraction, 2011
Awarded by: Bloomington/Monroe County Convention & Visitors Bureau
Community Partnership Award, 2010-2011
Awarded by: The Monroe County Community School Corporation
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
HISTORYWonderLab 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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