| WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1995 |
| Location | Bloomington, Indiana |
| Type | Science Museum |
| Visitor figures | 80,000 |
| Website | Official website |
The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health & Technology is a hands-on science museum located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana, United States.
Incorporated in 1995 as a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, WonderLab’s mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages, especially children, to experience the wonder and excitement of science. WonderLab is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
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WonderLab began operation as a traveling outreach program run by a dedicated group of volunteers. In 1998, WonderLab opened a small, interim museum on the north side of the Bloomington courthouse square. At the same time, a capital campaign was launched to build a permanent museum on a downtown lot donated by the city of Bloomington. The current 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) museum opened to the public on March 29, 2003. Today, WonderLab is in the heart of the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD) and is a visitor attraction on the B-Line Trail[1].
WonderLab is an accessible facility with two floors of hands-on science exhibits. Some of the highlights are listed below:
A popular exhibit on the first floor is the Grapevine Climber, which allows visitors to climb up giant leaves to view the museum from a different perspective. The Bubble-Airium offers multiple exhibits that showcase unexpected ways of forming and using bubbles. The first floor is also home to the Discovery Garden, an enclosed area with age-appropriate science activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
The second floor is home to many of the live animal exhibits at WonderLab, as well as exhibits about southern Indiana’s geologic past as interpreted through fossils. In addition, the floor features exhibits relating to health, the human body and the science of sound.
WonderLab’s WonderGarden is a small nature area set between the museum building and the B-Line Trail. The garden includes a selection of outdoor science exhibits and an amphitheater for science programs. Museum visitors may check out nature packs at the welcome desk to use for exploring the science of the garden in different seasons.
WonderLab presents a rich selection of hands-on science programs for all ages, conducts a summer science camp, is a partner in the MCCSC after-school enrichment program, provides outreach services, and offers professional development workshops for teachers. In addition, the museum provides work experiences for Indiana University college students, summer internships for high school students, and a variety of volunteer opportunities for hundreds of teens and adults.[1]
Certified Wildlife Habitat (WonderGarden)
Certified by the National Wildlife Federation in 2009
Best Place to Volunteer
Awarded by the Indiana Daily Student in 2009[2]
Top 25 Hands-On Science Center in the United States
Ranked #17 by: Parents (September 2008 issue)[2]
Community Enhancement Award
Awarded by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in 2003
Attraction of the Year
Awarded by the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2003