Media
WonderLab welcomes inquiries and visits from the media. In addition to this website, we invite you to visit our You Tube channel and Facebook page. To request use of our logo or museum images, please contact Louise Schlesinger, marketing director, preferably via email. Please include the name of your publication or organization, proposed use, preferred format, print or online platform, and any other helpful information.
News of Note
This is a selected listing of significant news releases, and does not include WonderLab's frequent releases about upcoming museum programs.
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BUEA Grant Brings WonderLab's Science of Art to Fairview Elementary
April 12, 2013
Bloomington, IN—Thanks to a $4,000 grant from the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association, the WonderLab Museum is offering a unique enrichment program this month to more than thirty students at Fairview Elementary School. These students will explore metal casting, an experience not normally available to them in school, as a way to highlight the multidisciplinary nature of art and science. WonderLab staff will visit a sixth grade art class twice (April 10 and 17) with hands-on activities exploring metal tooling, relief sculpture and science journaling. During the second session, the students will carve original designs in scratch blocks (compacted sand molds) into which hot aluminum will be poured to create individual works of art. The students will see their art created on the afternoon of Friday, May 3, when the Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum brings a traveling foundry to WonderLab for the pour. The students' artwork will be displayed during Fairview Elementary School's Evening of the Arts: A Celebration of Artful Learning.
According to Fairview art teacher Lacey Basgier, "This project integrates well with our Artful Learning curriculum, meeting all four educational quadrants. The project also hits many of the sixth grade Indiana state standards for art and science, as well as for language arts."
WonderLab will provide free admission passes to all Fairview Elementary students to encourage them to attend the First Friday Evening Science of Art programs in May, June, July, and August. These take place the first Friday of each month from 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm. First Friday Evening Science of Art's purpose is to bring visitors of all ages in contact with visual and performing artists, as well as to showcase the connections between art and science. The program series is made possible with support from F. Rudolf Turner; the City of Bloomington Arts Commission; and the Indiana Arts Commission with Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, and the National Endowment for the Arts. -
WonderLab to Participate in Celebrate Science Indiana Festival
September 25, 2012
Bloomington, IN – The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology will host an interactive exhibit booth at the second annual Celebrate Science Indiana festival on Saturday, October 6, in the Champions Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. Celebrate Science Indiana provides an opportunity for students, family members, and educators with an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) to conduct hands-on activities, see science demonstrations, enjoy a number of science related presentations and discussions on the main stage, interact with scientists, explore opportunities and ask questions about educational and professional possibilities in the STEM. A number of workshops for teachers will be available throughout the day. The Radio Disney FM 98.3 Road Crew will be opening the event, providing a fun-filled morning of entertainment including music, games, activities, contests and prizes.
Admission is free but a recommended donation of one canned food item per person is encouraged. A $5.00 parking fee per vehicle will be charged by the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Celebrate Science Indiana is a program of the Science Education Foundation of Indiana (SEFI), a 501(c)(3) organization. Additional sponsors include Lilly, Dow AgroSciences, Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Indiana Academy of Sciences, Purdue University and Emergency Radio Services. More information about the festival is available online at celebratescienceindiana.org or on Facebook. -
Commercial Service Sponsors Two WonderLab Exhibits
May 2, 2012
Bloomington, IN—Commercial Service Heating and Cooling has made a $1,000 donation to sponsor the exhibits "Air Ball" and "Air Cannon" currently on display at the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology in Bloomington. The new interactive science exhibits were developed in-house by the museum's staff and enhance WonderLab's permanent exhibit collection. Air Ball is a dramatic demonstration of the Bernoulli principle of fluid dynamics. In this exhibit, a beach ball is suspended in space on a stream of air. Visitors can tilt the blower to see how that affects the ball. Air Cannon provides a dazzling display of fluid dynamics. Visitors can aim the cannon and then strike its rubber membrane to knock over plastic bowling pins, or they can see the "shape" of the air as it strikes a wall panel of glittering sequins.
"We take great pride in our community and believe in making investments in organizations, such as WonderLab, that make a difference in our community," said Mike Sonneborn, president of Commercial Service Heating and Cooling.
Established in 1946, Commercial Service Heating and Cooling is a family-owned business offering a full range of services, including the latest in sustainable technology, to residential and commercial clients. The company is located in Bloomington. The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology, a nonprofit educational organization, is an award-winning science museum located in downtown Bloomington. The museum served more than 87,000 visitors in 2011. -
IU Credit Union Makes Donation to Support IU Students at WonderLab
April 26, 2012
Bloomington, IN – IU Credit Union has made a $3,000 contribution to the WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology to help support Indiana University student employees in work-study positions and internships at the museum in 2012. This donation represents a continuation of IU Credit Union's financial support for IU students working at WonderLab.
The students are involved in all aspects of the museum, including serving as program, exhibit, and visitor services assistants. Students also serve in various administrative capacities pertaining to development, marketing, membership and volunteer functions. The students gain “real world” experience that enhances their classroom learning, and the nonprofit WonderLab is able to extend its effectiveness with this additional staffing.
Bryan Price, President & CEO of IU Credit Union, remarked, “IU Credit Union recognizes the impact WonderLab’s work-study program has on IU students in helping them gain valuable field experience. We are pleased this year to continue our support and help make these field opportunities available.”
Founded in 1956, IU Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution with 11 branches statewide, more than 66,000 members and assets of more than $716 million, placing it among the largest credit unions in the state.
WonderLab, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is an award-winning science museum located in the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD). WonderLab served more than 87,000 visitors in 2011, hosted 60 IU students in work-study positions and internships, and operated a volunteer program involving 968 people from the campus and community.
Museum Newsletter Archive
Lab Notes, spring 2013
Website Development
WonderLab gratefully acknowledges Ashley Callahan and Casandra Johnston for contributing their expertise as professional website developers above and beyond expectations to design this new website. WonderLab also recognizes these current and recently graduated Indiana University students for their incredible dedication in helping to launch the new website: Phillip Hall, Jr.; Aaron Moreno, Mary Prusha, Emily Rollins, Sarah Silcox, Andrew Stephens, and Molly Zweig.
