WonderLab facts for kids
| Established | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Location | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Type | Science Museum |
| Visitors | 80,000 |
The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology is an exciting science museum located in Bloomington, Indiana, United States. It opened its doors in 1995 as a special kind of group called a non-profit organization, which means it focuses on education rather than making money. WonderLab is also a proud member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers, connecting it with other amazing science museums around the world.
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Discovering WonderLab: A Journey Through Time
WonderLab started small, as a traveling program led by volunteers. Deb Kent, a writer and mom from Bloomington, and Catherine Olmer, a physics professor, helped get it going.
In 1998, WonderLab opened a temporary museum near the Bloomington courthouse. At the same time, they began raising money to build a bigger, permanent museum. The city of Bloomington even donated land for it!
The current museum, which is about 15,000 square feet (1,394 square meters), officially opened on March 29, 2003. Today, WonderLab is a popular spot in the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD). It's also right next to the B-Line Trail, making it easy to visit.
Exploring Inside WonderLab
WonderLab is a fun place with two floors packed with hands-on science exhibits. Some exhibits are always there, while others change throughout the year. This means there's always something new to discover!
First Floor Fun
The first floor has some really popular exhibits:
- The Grapevine Climber lets you climb up giant leaves. From the top, you get a cool new view of the museum!
- The Bubble-Airium is all about bubbles! You can explore different and surprising ways to make and use bubbles.
- The Lego Water Table is perfect for younger kids. They can build dams and change how water flows down a big Lego sheet.
- The Discovery Garden is a special, enclosed area. It has age-appropriate science activities just for toddlers and preschoolers.
Second Floor Adventures
Upstairs on the second floor, you'll find many of WonderLab's live animals. You can also learn about southern Indiana's ancient past through fossils. Plus, there are exhibits all about health, the human body, and the science of sound.
The Lester P. Bushnell WonderGarden
Outside the museum, between the building and the B-Line Trail, is the WonderGarden. This small nature area has outdoor science exhibits and an amphitheater. The amphitheater is used for special science programs.
You can even check out "nature packs" at the welcome desk. These packs help you explore the science of the garden during different seasons.
More Ways to Learn at WonderLab
WonderLab offers many educational activities beyond the exhibits:
- They have science programs for people of all ages.
- They run a summer science camp.
- They partner with the MCCSC for after-school programs.
- They provide outreach services, bringing science to schools and communities.
- They offer workshops to help teachers learn new science teaching methods.
The museum also gives Indiana University students work experience. High school students can get summer internships, and hundreds of teens and adults can volunteer.
Awards and Recognition
WonderLab has received several awards for its great work:
- Certified Wildlife Habitat (for the WonderGarden) — from the National Wildlife Federation in 2009.
- Best Place to Volunteer — awarded by the Indiana Daily Student in 2009.
- Top 25 Hands-On Science Center in the United States — ranked #17 by Parents magazine in September 2008.
- Community Enhancement Award — from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in 2003.
- Attraction of the Year — from the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2003.
See also
