About WonderLab

The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology is an award-winning science museum located on the B-Line Trail in the heart of the Bloomington Entertainment and Arts District. WonderLab was incorporated as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization in 1995 and a core group of volunteers began to offer hands-on science outreach services at community events. In 1998, WonderLab opened in its first physical location, a small space in the historic Wicks Building on the north side of the Bloomington courthouse square. The present two-story facility and garden opened to the public on March 29, 2003, and since then more than one million visitors have been served.

Mission

Who We Are:  WonderLab is a family-focused science museum with interactive exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage discovery and inspire lifelong learning.

What We Do: WonderLab ignites a love of science through learning that is experiential, inclusive and fun, and amplifies the role science plays in the world.

Vision

Why it Matters: WonderLab envisions a brighter, more equitable and sustainable future shaped by curious and creative problem-solvers empowered by science.

Values

We make science fun. We provide educational experiences that excite, delight, challenge and surprise. We nurture curiosity, discovery and a sense of wonder. We provide experiences that build the thinking and doing skills of science. We are a workshop for inquiry and investigation.

We provide inclusive learning environments that build science identities for people of all ages. We promote learning as a life skill and a lifelong venture. We empower people to take ideas into their world, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and enacting change. We advocate for science education. We foster public engagement with science and act as a bridge between scientists and the community.

We promote a culture of belonging, in which a diverse array of people, voices and perspectives are represented, respected, and empowered. We strive for fair and equitable access for all – physically, culturally, cognitively, and financially.

We provide the highest quality service and educational experience for our visitors. Our science content is trustworthy, strong and reliable. We apply best practices to support employees and volunteers, conduct business and build the organization. Our work is grounded in integrity while focused on research, evidence, accountability and caring. We continue to evolve and learn.

We are committed to the responsible stewardship of our organization, our community relationships, and the environment. We acknowledge that science is central to addressing the multiple environmental and social challenges our communities face today. Our long-term approach to financial and physical sustainability empowers ongoing operations, enables swift response to unexpected challenges, and provides support for major new directions.

Read the 2024-2026 WonderLab Strategic Plan Summary

A child stares mesmerized at a science exhibition in WonderLab Museum in Bloomington
A crouching caregiver holds a piece of a nature exhibit and is talking to a small child at Wonderlab in Bloomington, IN

Educational Philosophy

WonderLab is uniquely positioned to work with learners across the age spectrum bringing to life the WonderLab seven part educational philosophy:

  • Science teaching should expose learners to accurate facts, actual tools, and Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM).

  • Concepts and skills are developed through meaningful play and hands-on exploration.

  • Each learner is unique with individual learning styles, preferences, and paces.

  • Learning is a collaborative endeavor impacted and enhanced by parents, caregivers, and peers.

  • Learning happens best in stimulating, inviting, and supportive environments.

  • Learning is an ageless process fueled by questions and experiments where risk and failure are key.

  • Science teaching should strengthen science identities in all learners.

Memberships & Partnerships

The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) is a nonprofit organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering public engagement with science among increasingly diverse audiences.

The Bloomington Entertainment & Arts District (BEAD) is a downtown cultural district with ten distinct character areas. The BEAD website includes a cultural events calendar.

The Alliance of Bloomington Museums (ABM) promotes the diverse range of cultural and educational resources that member museums offer to visitors.

Downtown Bloomington Inc. (DBI) is a nonprofit membership organization focused on the continued revitalization of Downtown Bloomington, Indiana.

Visit Bloomington is the destination marketing organization for Bloomington and Monroe County, Indiana, positively impacting the local economy and culture through tourism development.

The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network is your one-stop source for volunteer information in Bloomington and Monroe County.

Statement of Solidarity – Black Lives Matter

Sent to WonderLab Members June 4, 2020
Dear WonderLab Community Members, It is impossible not to feel the pain of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis or the death of Dreasjon “Sean” Reed, McHale Rose and Chris Beaty from our Indianapolis hometown in recent days. We mourn these individuals and others …….. Read the full statement.